This is a witty, charmingly illustrated story about a friendship between two bears and a birthday party they'd rather avoid. Gus and Boris are best friends. One day Gus confides that he feels gloomy because his birthday is coming and he's not looking forward to the party his family is planning for him. "My family always throws the worst parties, " Gus explains. Boris suggests that they skip the party and go fishing instead, and that is what they do. Surprisingly, everyone is happy: the family celebrates Gus's birthday, barely noticing his absence, and Gus and Boris have a lovely day fishing on the river.

Winter is lasting forever, the vegetable garden is barren, and Lila is hungry. All she needs to make it through the winter is some flour for baking bread. she makes a wish on a falling star. It works! Luckily, each time the bread is gone, another star falls. Someone else might have wished for an elaborate feast or extravagant clothes, but not Lila--at least not until her birthday. That's when she will make a very special wish.