Book excerpt: The Sorry Tale of Fox and Bear is the story of a cruel falling-out between two friends: how it happens, and what happens next. It is outrageous, passionate and poignant, and the bittersweet ending is as ambiguous as any friendship in real life. Framed in the present and told in alternating past and present tense, The Sorry Tale of Fox and Bear borrows characters and events from several traditional sources and is told with wit and verve by Margrete Lamond, with darkly brooding charcoal illustrations by acclaimed artist Heather Vallance. This beautiful story collection - a modern twist on traditional style - will resonate with readers looking for a great story to read over and over again.