Polar Bears
Black and white and huge all over, the polar bear is the largest land carnivore. The scientific name ursus maritimus means "sea bear"-quite appropriate for these strong swimmers. The black skin of the polar bear is entirely covered (with the exception of the nose and the foot pads) by several different layers of oily, water repellent fur. People of every polar region of the northern hemisphere have been fascinated by and dependent upon these huge Arctic dwellers. They have been written about and served as inspiration for artistic creations, as well as being an important source of food and clothing. The following information is from the student friendly web site: http://www.polarworld.com/polarfaq.asp
"Of all the animals the Inuit traditionally hunted, Nanuk, the polar bear, was the most prized." Native hunters considered Nanuk to be wise, powerful, and "almost a man." Some called the bear "the great lonely roamer." Many tribes told legends of strange polar-bear men that lived in igloos. These bears walked upright, just like men, and were able to talk. Natives believed they shed their skins in the privacy of their homes. After killing a bear, the Inuit ate the meat, sucked fatty oil from the bones, and used the fur to make warm trousers for men and kamiks for women. An average polar bear would yield three pairs of trousers and one kamik.
The only part of the bear that was not used was the liver. This was immediately thrown out, as it could make even the sled dogs violently ill. To pay respect to Nanuk's soul (tatkok), the hunter hung up the skin in an honored place in his igloo for several days. If the bear were male, the hunter provided him with tools such as knives and bow-drills; if female, the bear was offered knives, skin-scrapers, and needlecases. Native people believed that polar bears allowed themselves to be killed in order to obtain the souls of the tools (tatkoit), which they would take with them into the hereafter.
"According to legend, a dead polar bear that was properly treated by a hunter would share the good news with other bears. The animals would then be eager to be killed by such a man while the bears would avoid a hunter who failed to pay respect."
The powerful polar bear does deserve our respect as a predator, swimmer, and survivor of the harsh polar weather. The females are loving, nurturing mothers-they care for their young for about 30 months. ??This loving attention may have give rise to the numerous "cuddly" polar bear stories, but make no mistake these are creatures not to be underestimated in the animal kingdom.
For more information about polar bears visit this educational web site: http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/PolarBears/home.html
Contributor: Sheilah Egan
Reviews
101 Facts About Polar Bears
Julia Barnes
The format of the book consists entirely of numbered one or two sentence facts about polar bears and their behavior. For example, "The polar bear is the biggest four-legged carnivore on Earth." Although this may seem like a disjointed approach, the facts actually are organized logically (facts about polar bears' hunting techniques are grouped together, for example). Breaking the facts down into labeled sections or chapters would have been even more helpful, however. Instead, young researchers must either read the book cover to cover or else rely on the brief index. Color photographs appear on almost every page, including action pictures of polar bears swimming, fighting, and jumping. A color-coded opening map indicates the arctic zones where polar bears live, and a glossary defines key boldfaced terms. A guide for further reading and a list of web sites will lead readers to other more in-depth resources. This is a volume in the "101 Facts About Predators" series. 2004, Gareth Stevens Publishing, $22.60. Ages 7 to 12. Reviewer: Norah Piehl (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-8368-4038-0
Bad Bears in the Big City: An Irving & Muktuk Story
Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrated by Jill Pinkwater
Irving and Muktuk are back! Freshly banished from Yellowtooth in the far Arctic North, they arrive in Bayonne, New Jersey, to join the local zoo. A character reference arrives with them: "They are not to be trusted!" Truer words were never spoken, especially since the Bayonne Zoo is situated right next to a muffin factory. Put under the tutelage of veteran polar bear Roy, the boys case their new territory and make plans for their next muffin heist. Will they be thwarted? Will their reputations ever be reclaimed? By all means read on for the answers--and for Pinkwater's drole sense of humor. On inquiring why they are not trusted, Roy tells them it's "Because they are afraid you might eat people." Which prompts the immediate question, "You can eat people?" "Don't even think about it," Roy says. If such exchanges tickle you, Pinkwater is your man. Not to mention the incident of Irving and Muktuk bedding down on frozen peas in a supermarket's freezer section, or ...Jill Pinkwater's cheerful pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations bring the bad (but not too bad) bears to sly life. Add it to your Pinkwater shelf, folks, and enjoy a few muffins while you wait for the next book. 2004, Houghton Mifflin, $16.00. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature).
Irving and Muktuk, the trouble-making "bad bears," return here in another ridiculous adventure, told in Pinkwater's straight-face--with tongue-in-cheek prose. Arriving at the Bayonne, New Jersey Zoo from their far North home, the muffin-loving bears are delighted to find a muffin factory next door. Roy, the resident polar bear, shows them how to get along in the zoo. He is allowed to go home to his own apartment on the bus every night, but Irving and Muktuk, having been already labeled "not to be trusted," must stay at the zoo. Bored, the inventive bears manage to get out and join a tour of the muffin factory. When they are discovered, they promise not to eat people, and to behave if they are given some freedom. But it is hard to believe that they won't soon be up to some new mischief. There is real fun also here in the depiction of the bears, sketched with felt-tipped marker and ink. Their postures and gestures, and most of all their facial expressions, are guaranteed to trigger giggles. Painted bits of background help set up the comedy. But it is the sight of the pudgy bears lounging in a kiddy pool or slouching contritely while holding paws with tears in their eyes that really make the story come alive. 2004, Houghton Mifflin Company, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 2004; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
ISBN: 0-618-25208-8
Because I Love You So Much
Guido van Genechten
Snowy is a very clever polar bear. He knows where to catch the best fish, how to slide down an iceberg, and catch the biggest snowflakes. His mother is quite clever herself. When Snowy asks her more ponderous questions like where does snow come from? and why are polar bears white? she calls upon her deep maternal wisdom and gives him just the right answers. She assures Snowy that were he blue or green or red he would still be beautiful to her because she loves him so much. The cool palette of white and ice blue that paints the cold world of Snowy and his mother is warmed by images of the loving duo frolicking in play or sharing a thoughtful moment. Little Snowy is soft to the touch as a result of a special flecking that gives a velvety feel. For mothers and children everywhere this is a gentle and tender reminder of the constancy of a mother's unconditional love. Because of the weak sewn binding the book may not hold up to the demand of library circulation but it is a delightful choice for a home library. 2003, Tiger Tales, $15.95. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-5892-5039-7
Big Bear Little Bear
David Bedford
Illustrated by Jane Chapman
This cozy little bedtime board book suggests that smaller younger bears/people are fine just the way they are. Little Bear tells his polar bear mother he wants to grow up to be just as big as she is, to do the same things she does, to be able to see far, and dive deep. But right now, she says, she is happy for him to ride on her shoulders, which he will not be able to do when he grows up. "You are perfect just the way you are," she says as they snuggle off to sleep. The fine message any child wants to hear is well served by the large-sized shape of the book and the fuzzy surface of both bears. It is a book children will want to pat and handle. A companion to Little Bear's Special Wish, but that one features a brown bear in a forest, instead of a polar bear in the Arctic. This title is part of the "Storytime Board Books" series.2005, Tiger Tales, Ages 2 to 5, $6.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-58925-770-7
Born to Be Wild: Little Polar Bears
Valérie Guidoux
English translation by Muriel Castille
Beautiful photographs are the stars of this informative book. The book is divided into chapters that discuss the polar night, hunting habits of polar bears, their dependence on the water, their fur, their movement across the landscape and with other bears. There is a short glossary in the back for the words specific to the subject although the text is fairly easy to read. The pictures are all accompanied by captions that, for the most part, expand on the information in the main body of the chapter. One nice feature is that the text ties together information; for example, the chapter on water talks about how bears' dense fur keeps them dry and the chapter on their fur talks about how it traps heat. Another feature repeated on every few pages is a graphic that presents a question with multiple choice answers. The layout of the book is simple and clean, inviting readers to dip into it and return for engaged reading. 2006, Gareth Stevens, Ages 4 to 8, $22.00. Reviewer: Diane Carver Sekeres (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-8368-4739-3
Cold Paws, Warm Heart
Madeleine Floyd
Cold Paws was so much bigger than the other animals that they did not want to play with him. Although he was a polar bear, he was cold inside because he had no friends. All alone and shivering, Cold Paws played the flute to forget his troubles. One day a little girl heard his flute. When she noticed he was shivering she gave him her scarf. The little girl returned with more ideas to warm him. Over a period of time it is her friendship that truly warms the polar bear. Icy whites and blues create the cold, northern landscape. The little girl, dressed in a red Scandinavian-style coat, brings warmth to the illustrations. It is a simple story of how a friendship develops, and a reminder that we can be friends with those who are different from us. 2005, Candlewick Press, Ages 3 to 7, $15.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7636-2761-5
Ice Bear
Nicola Davies
Illustrated by Gary Blythe
The icy blue of the jacket/cover and end-papers sets the stage for this introduction to the polar bear, the Inuit's Nanuk, "made for our frozen world!" On mainly double pages, the bear makes its way as the text celebrates its power and majesty. Larger type describes--with excitement and a romantic touch--its life, its travels for food, its wintering in a den with cubs, its summer trek essentially alone. Smaller type in gentle curves adds many additional facts about the bears, never distracting from the drama of their lives. With oil paints and pencil, Blythe creates realistic scenes that are dominated by the blue-ish haze that effectively conveys the icy environment. Except for a couple of hunting images, one of which includes the necessary blood, the story peacefully conveys the frozen silence. More information on polar bears and an index are included. 2005, Candlewick Press, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7636-2759-3
Lars and the Egg
Adapted by Susan Hill Long
Illustrations by John Huxtable
Lars, a polar bear cub, finds an unhatched goose egg. When Lars is unable to find the mother goose, he decides to keep the egg warm until it hatches. His friend Lena, an Eskimo girl, asks him to play but Lars refuses; he faithfully stays with the egg. The egg finally hatches and Lars reunites the baby goose with his mother. The plot is reminiscent of the classic, Horton Hears a Who, by Dr. Suess. This is a sweet story that teaches about responsibility and keeping your promises. The adorable illustrations and colorful stickers will appeal to younger and older children alike. 2004, Sterling Publishing Co, $3.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Renee Kirchner (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-4027-1299-5
Lars Saves the Day
Adaptation by Gail Donovan
Illustrations by John Huxtable
Join Lars, the lovable character from A Little Polar Bear Story for yet another one of his exciting adventures. Lars, his family, and his friends are all getting along nicely. The seals keep providing fish for everyone so that nobody goes hungry and everything is peaceful, at least until the fish stop coming. When this happens, everybody blames the villagers for taking more than their fair share. Lars and his best friend Robby go to investigate. They discover that the villagers have no fish either, and that there is something dangerous in the waters. A huge, black ship is the culprit for swallowing everything in its path. See how Lars uses his courage and the help of his friends to save everyone from a grim fate of starvation. This book is complemented with beautiful illustrations and lovable characters. It also includes color stickers of the characters so that young readers can maybe even make up their own "Lars" story. 2003 (orig. 2001), Sterling Publishing Co, $3.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Kymberlee Chandler (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-4027-1283-9
Good Morning, Little Polar Bear
Carol Votaw
Illustrated by Susan Banta
Morning has come and it is time for animal babies and a young child to rise. Each has its own introductory quatrain and full-page illustration. This is a book that can be read in a storytime or presented as a primary grade introduction for a unit on winter or the arctic. For preschool or primary grade storytime, the rhyming text will be enough. Teachers can use the back matter which presents information on each animal, such as its size, how its color is used as camouflage, or a particular feature that is critical to its survival. The illustrations, done in acrylics, depict playful fox kits and wolf pups, as well as voles, musk ox, narwhals, and sea otters, and more. They show the animals in their habitats while the rhyming text mentions how they move or where they live. Informative and inviting. 2005, Northword Books for Young Readers, Ages 4 to 7, $15.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 1-55971-932-X
Little Polar Bear and the Reindeer
Hans de Beer
Fans of the "Little Polar Bear" books will delight in this exciting new story with its subtle reminder of man's impact on nature. Lars watches sadly as the geese head south again followed by the reindeer as they start their winter migration. When a snowstorm blows in, he crawls under a lookout rock. He sees an animal push his head out of the snow--it is a little reindeer; Oliver has lost his mother in the storm. Lars goes south with him across the wide tundra. There are adventures such as Oliver learning to swim at Lars' encouragement and the fear of wolves in the dark, and sleeping under the protection of the musk oxen. They meet up with Oliver's mother and the herd who cannot go on because this year there is a high fence that goes on for miles erected in their path. There are piles of giant pipes that litter the landscape. If they cannot go through on their migration they will die. Lars finds a cable and wraps it around the pipes and has the musk oxen pulls the pile until it falls and breaks through the fence. What a message to all! The illustrations are lovely as are all of the ones done by de Beer. 2005, North-South Books, Ages 3 to 6, $15.95. Reviewer: Naomi Butler (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7358-2029-5
Polar Bear Math: Learning About Fractions from Baby Polar Bears
Ann Whitehead Nagda and Cindy Bickel
Though in picture book format, this enlightening, beautifully photographed book will also appeal to older children and adults. It is a factual account of two polar bear cubs abandoned by their mother right after birth at the Denver, Colorado Zoo. The zoo employees were determined to save the cubs they named Snowball and Klondike. All the odd numbered pages relate the Herculean effort to raise the cubs. Veterinary technician Cindy Bickel took the animals home with her and spent the entire first night struggling to keep them alive. Two other staff members joined the team and took turns taking the cubs home each night. Despite obstacles and setbacks, the cubs survived and soon after turning a year old they took up residence at Sea World in Orlando, Florida. On an entirely different tack, the even numbered pages present lessons to teach fractions. Most of the lessons revolve around creating polar bear milk so that the babies could thrive and grow. This endeavor succeeds on both levels and should be strongly considered for purchase. 2004, Henry Holt, $16.95. Ages all. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2005; H. W. Wilson; United States
ISBN: 0-805-07301-9
Polar Bear Night
Lauren Thompson
Pictures by Stephen Savage
If you are getting tired of reading Good Night Moon, you might want to try this book as a soothing bed time read. A young polar bear cub leaves his mother and their warm den to explore the moonlit night. She sees a walrus asleep; seals like floating statues are asleep in the water; and whales that are sleeping but still swimming. As the cub travels she finally sees a glorious sight--a star shower. It wakes all of the sleeping animals and after she experiences the quiet beauty of a polar night, the little cub heads back to the cozy warmth of mother and their den. The linocuts are set on papers that reflect the cold of this northern region--blues, grays, tans, and dark greens but they have a wonderful texture. The mulberry bleached rice paper makes many of the scenes look like snowflakes are falling. It is a quiet, simple, gentle story, perfectly suited for snuggling up with your own little one just before a nap or settling down for the night. 2004, Scholastic, $15.95. Ages 1 to 3. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars , Nov. 15, 2004; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2005; H. W. Wilson; United States
Choices, 2005; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, October 15, 2004; United States
Notable Children's Books, 2005; American Library Association ALSC; United States
New York Times Notable Books, 2004; New York Times; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, November 22, 2004; Cahners; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book 2005 United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Chickadee Award, 2005-2006; Nominee; Maine
ISBN: 0-439-49524-5
Polar Bears
How big is a polar bear? Are they soft and cuddly or are they ferocious hunters? Do they live only in Arctic regions? Children will learn the answers to these questions and loads of other information about polar bears including how they hunt, why they hibernate and what a typical day might be like in the life of a polar bear. This title is part of the "All About Wild Animals" series. What makes this series better than most is not only the information presented but the way in which it is presented. Following a format in which each new topic is clearly titled, basic information is given in easy-to-read, engaging text. Add to that the well-placed "Did You Know?" facts and simple diagrams interspersed throughout and you have something well above the norm. A combination of close-up and panoramic color photos complements the text and provides a nice visual balance. Other interesting features of this series include information about some of the other creatures that share the habitat of the main topic animal and a twenty-four-hour journal suggesting what the animal and its family might be doing at particular times of the day. The only aspect that might be objectionable/annoying to some would be the use of the animal itself speaking in first person to describe parts of its body and the events of its day. Overall, well done and favorably recommended. 2005, Gareth Stevens Publishing, $17.50. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Trina Heidt (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-8368-4187-5
Polar Bears
Patricia Kendell
How do polar bears keep warm? Can they swim? What do they eat? How do they survive? These questions are all answered in this book from the "In the Wild" series. The series teaches children how animals survive, where they live, and how their parents treat them while they are living in their natural habitat. The amazing photographs in this book capture a bear as a young cub, eating, jumping across ice blocks, and even swimming underwater. Some vocabulary words that are taught in this book include arctic, ice floe, and pack ice. The book contains an index, glossary, a list of further websites for children, other books about polar bears, and a table of contents to help young readers learn to use these valuable resources. This book will be very useful as a home or library reference book. Part of the "In the Wild" series. 2003, Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, $25.70. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Nicole Peterson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7398-4908-5
Polar Bears
Sandra Markle
The mighty polar bear is at the top of the food chain in the harsh environment of the Arctic. Nearly eight-feet long and weighing close to 500 pounds, the adult is a powerful hunter. It uses cunning and great skill to stalk and kill its prey. The bear's sense of smell can pick up a scent twenty miles away, and it may even swim sixty miles without stopping in order to track seals or small whales. The bear is especially suited for this feat with its thick fur coat covering a four-inch-thick layer of fat to protect against the frigid waters. Sandra Markle makes each word count in this addition to the "Animal Predators" series. The book is brimming with interesting facts about the bear's behavior, habitat, and life cycle. Amazing photos capture the polar bear in action. The "Looking Back" section at the end invites readers to take yet another look at the pictures to discover a unique aspect that may not be apparent with one reading. A helpful glossary defines some of the major words for quick reference. The author's remarkable background all but guarantees a thorough educational experience for the reader. Her credits include science education consultant and elementary science teacher. She has also developed science specials for CNN and PBS programming and is the recipient of the American Library Association's Notable Book award. 2004, Carolrhoda Books, $16.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Francine Thomas (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Children's Choices, 2005; International Reading Association; United States
ISBN: 1-5750-5730-1
ISBN: 1-5750-5746-8
Polar Bears
Emily Rose Townsend
Consulting editor: Gail Saunders-Smith
The cover of Polar Bears, in the "Pebble Book Series," shows a cuddly bear that could be stuffed and found in any child's room except this one is real. Polar bears tend to prefer being alone and love the cold artic weather labeled on the map on page eight. Other cool facts include what they eat, where they sleep and how they keep from freezing during below zero weather. Find out if polar bears can live on ice and what family this warm-blooded animal belongs. The best part of this book is the fascinating photographs of how these creatures exist in a world that does not allow many living things to survive. The picture tells the story as well as the simple text. Townsend did a terrific job of organizing this book. In the front, the reader finds a table of contents that gives quick access to all the interesting facts. Check out the reference information in the back. It list titles of more books on polar bears, a glossary with easy definitions including the meaning of mammal, and a word list/index which helps the reader to find the page number of certain words that have been used. Do not forget there is an on-line link to other resources. Remember books of this quality do not come cheap. Part of the "Polar Animals" series. 2004, Capstone Stone Press, $15.93. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Julia Beiker (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7368-2358-1
Polar Slumber
Dennis Rockhill
Sueño polar/por Dennis Rockhill
In pastel shades of blue, white, and brown, Rockhill captures our imagination with exquisitely detailed drawings of a mittened child patting a baby seal in the Artic. The child builds a polar bear out of snow, and as she looks out the window the polar bear comes to life. She dreams and her own little white teddy bear becomes a snow bear's cub and all three travel on an adventure. They meet a snowy owl, an Arctic wolf, pat a baby seal, have a tumble in the snow and see the aurora borealis. All of this happens without words. Falling asleep while it is still snowing, the child wakes to find the footsteps of the bears leading off into the whiteness. The author/illustrator includes an instruction sheet in Spanish and English to explain the small black and white pictures on each page intended to add questions a teacher might ask to help a child elaborate on the events of the adventure. This is a perfect book for teachers and parents wishing to help build storytelling vocabularies. 2004, Raven Tree Press, $16.95. Ages 4 up. Reviewer: Sue Stefurak (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-9724-9731-5
Project Polar Bear
Jennifer Nault.
This description of the polar bear keeps alive the integrity of the series by showing a young bear that was born in the zoo, as well as teaching children various facts and information about the bears. From birth, to mature adult hood, the polar bears that live in the United States zoos are cared for in a way that most represents their natural habitat. Everything that can be done to teach the bears how they would act in the wild is simulated in the zoo. Several "chapters" divide this book, and a table of contents as well as a glossary at the end of the book is available to teach young children about these valuable resources. The photography follows a young polar bear of one pound through adulthood. Children can hear about how the bear grows and develops as well as watching through these beautiful pictures. Controversial issues about American zoos are mentioned throughout the book. 2003, Weigl Publishers Inc, $22.80. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Nicole Peterson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-5903-6014-1
Skating with the Bears
Andrew Breakspeare
"Tim could not learn to skate, no matter how hard he tried." He hid behind a large mound of snow and watched the skaters gracefully glide across the ice. How he wished he could skate. One night he dreamed he was skating with "style and finesse." In his dream, the mounds of snow were actually polar bears who taught him to skate. The next day, to everyone's amazement, Tim skated around the ice. On his way home past the snow mounds, he thought he saw instead a polar bear smiling at him. Self-confidence is key to learning, and some things just take a bit of time. The period clothing and old-fashioned skates add to the dream quality of this story. For those who like tactile experiences, there is texture throughout this book. There are the raised zig-zag lines made by the skaters, the stars in the sky, and snow and fur on the bears. Cold blues and whites depict the winter scenes, but this story is as warm as Tim's red coat. 2004, Dutton, Ages 4 to 7, $15.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-525-47485-4
Snowy's Special Secret
Guido van Genechten
Snowy is a fuzzy little polar bear-literally--as he is soft and velvety feeling in every scene. He is the only tactile part of the book, emphasizing his role as a very special little creature in this loving story. Mommy Polar bear keeps a close eye on her little cub-so close that it is hard for him to have enough time to make a special tribute to show her how much he loves her. He has to make up little excuses to be away from her so that he can work in secret. As the winter sun sets in amethyst glory, Snowy leads his mother to a snow sculpture of a mother bear and her cub. "Look Mommy! It's us! Snowy said proudly." Of course, she is delighted to see the results of his "stolen time." Mommy knows how much Snowy loves her and she tells him how much she loves him as they snuggle down to fall asleep watching the stars. Charming and dear, this is perfect as a bedtime read. It would also serve well as an exercise in predicting just what it is that Snowy is up to as he goes off on his own. Children could be encouraged to discuss how they show love for their own families. 2005, Tiger Tales, Ages 3 to 6, $15.95. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-58925-049-4
A Splendid Friend, Indeed
Suzanne Bloom
A nosy talkative goose walks right over a polar bear's fuzzy back to look at the book he is holding and ask, "What are you doing? Are you reading?" Goose takes over the book and offers to read it, while the long-suffering bear takes out a notebook and pencil. The irrepressible goose then wants to write as well. As the bear seems lost in thought, or more likely trying to keep his temper, Goose figures he must be thinking. "Thinking makes me hungry," says Goose, going off to fetch a snack. Returning with enough for them both, Goose proclaims his friendship to the impatient bear. Finally Bear decides that Goose is his "splendid friend, indeed." The brief, simple lines of large-type text are almost unnecessary as the characters reveal themselves in expressions and actions. Bloom's command of anthropomorphic body and facial gestures is masterful. Emotions flow from the large double-page scenes making us smile at Goose's child-like self-centered behavior and Bear's reactions. The charming characters are sketched in pastels against subtly changing solid blue backgrounds, giving all that is required to visualize this poetic demonstration of the blooming friendship that is hinted at on the front and back covers. 2005, Boyds Mills Press, $15.95. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Kirkus Book Review Stars, February 15, 2005; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, May 2005; Cahners; United States
ISBN: 1-5907-8286-0
Sweet Dreams, Polar Bear
Mindy Dwyer
This picture book for the very young introduces Northland creatures imagining what their wildest dreams might be as they bed down for the night. Such an approach, contrasting the animals' realistic last waking moments with their wild and silly dreams, is sure to delight young children as they get ready for happy, silly dreams themselves. They will laugh at the skiing lynx, the musk ox at the beauty parlor, the loon rock star, and the walrus in her frilly pink tutu. Occasionally the rhyme is contrived, such as "nice bed of ice in the sea" rhyming with "zigzagging stripes and paisley," or the meter is off, such as "A caribou's cozy on cold winter nights after nibbling on lichen and moss," followed by, "You know that he's dreaming about plates of spaghetti covered with dark chocolate sauce." Still, these nuances are unlikely to bother youngsters to whom the book is read. The illustrations are warm, sweet, and engaging, and the book ends with a mother tucking in her young child and giving assurances that sleep will bring wondrous surprises. 2004, Alaska Northwest Books/Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, $16.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Kathryn Erskine (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-88240-554-3
ISBN: 0-88240-555-1
Tooga: The Story of a Polar Bear
Shirley Woods
Illustrated by Muriel Wood
Basing her story on well-researched facts about polar bears, Woods tells the story of a male cub she names Tooga and his youth on the coast of northern Labrador. When Tooga finally learns to hunt on his own, he becomes trapped on an ice floe. By the time the floe reaches land, Tooga is confused and hundreds of miles from home. Given the propensity of bears to seek food wherever they find it, he wanders in to a human settlement, disrupts a fishing camp, and heads toward a crab processing plant before game officers drive him off and he heads back up north. An author's note gives some background for the story and an extensive glossary helps readers remember vocabulary. It is a good choice for those interested in polar bears as well as North American ecology as plenty of information is included in the narrative. Black-ink drawings contribute to the story and help young readers see scale and scope. A pleasant read and an exciting and hopeful conclusion. 2004, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, $14.00. Ages 8 to 11. Reviewer: Susan Hepler, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Rocky Mountain Book Award, 2006; Shortlist; Alberta
ISBN: 1-55041-898-X
Victor Vito and Freddie Vasco, Two Polar Bears on a Mission to Save Klondike Café!
Laurie Berkner
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Those crazy polar bears, Victor and Freddie, own the Klondike café but their customers are sick of eating fish (the only thing these two know how to fix). They start on a trek that takes them from Alaska to the far southwest where they try burritos, beans and rice, then into the deep south for corn bread and collards at Chez Crawfish. The really big hit is spaghetti in none other than New York City's Little Italy. They head back with all their newfound delicacies and readers are also given a chance to see customers and staff of the Klondike Café reading postcards that have been sent by the polar bear duo. There is great excitement when they return and spruce up the café and introduce all these ethnic foods to their clientele. Henry Cole manages to give all of the creatures in this story some personality. The seal waitresses even manage to look sexy while sun bathing, and I loved the name on one of the uniforms (Cesealia). There are so many extra bits of humor in the drawings that they merit a second look. The jukebox at Chez Crawfish has the manufacture's name as "Bon Temps" and the waiters are an alligator and a muskrat. Young and old will enjoy this book and of course, the CD with Laurie Berkner performing "Victor Vito," "Laurie (talking)" and "Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)" are just icing on the proverbial cake. 2004, Orchard Books/Scholastic, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-439-42914-5
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