Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear

By Trang Nguyễn; Illustrated by Jeet Zdũng

This powerful story follows Chang, whose life takes an unexpected turn after witnessing the horrors of bear bile extraction. That moment becomes the catalyst for her journey into wildlife conservation. Against all odds, Chang joins Free the Bears and soon meets Sorya- a Sun Bear cub born in captivity, with no understanding of the wild he was meant to live in.

Sorya has never roamed free, never foraged for food, never faced the dangers- or wonders- of the forest. It becomes Chang’s mission to help him reclaim the life he was never given: to survive, thrive, and eventually return to the wild.

This breathtaking graphic novel is filled with exquisitely detailed illustrations- each frame a work of art. The story is deeply moving, especially the final moments between Chang and Sorya, which are tender, bittersweet, and quietly heart-wrenching.

Told almost like a personal journal, the story blends heartfelt text with rich visual storytelling, offering a layered reading experience. It’s a fictionalised narrative based on true life.

Ideal for ages 6+