Ida, Always

K-Gr 2—Loosely based on Gus and Ida, the polar bears who lived at the Central Park Zoo until Ida's death in 2011 and Gus's death in 2013, this frank yet sensitive work explores loss and affirms the power of friendship. Pals Ida and Gus do everything together, until one day Gus discovers his companion is sick. Zookeeper Sonya explains that though she and the other workers will make sure Ida isn't in any pain, they can't cure her and over time, Ida will eventually weaken and die. While the tone is gentle, Levis is honest about the turmoil and anguish of terminal illness: though Gus and Ida make the most of their moments together, there are days where they feel sad and frustrated and times when both bears need to be alone. The quiet, lyrical text is complemented by the soft, evocative visuals. Digitally rendered, the illustrations have a painterly feel and make effective use of color. The settings—sunsets, overcast days, and, when Ida passes away, a rainy morning—reinforce the mood well. Santoso's design is particularly inspired, with good use of the gutter and perspective. Gus and Ida are cute and have sweetly expressive faces, but they aren't overly anthropomorphized, nor does Santoso play up the adorable factor to gloss over the painful narrative. Although Gus experiences real loss upon Ida's death, the book ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing the strength of the friendship and Gus's memories of Ida.