Reviewed by CBC Reviewer
N/A
This true story of an orphaned polar bear cub learning to survive on her own will engage children in the complex issue of climate change at a level that is authentic and relevant to them. The cub is one of many vying for food on Wrangel Island as they wait for the pack ice to return. Survival is not guaranteed for this cub or any other polar bear. Researcher Nikita Ovsyanikov followed the cub as it managed to grow despite being orphaned on a diminishing ice pack.
Most pages of this book offer full, artistic illustrations with only a few sentences of dramatic text superimposed, making this a good choice for sharing with the entire class. The bears and their environment are real, not cute or cartoonish, yet the overall impression is one of beauty. The reader develops a relationship with the orphan cub and elicits a desire to help the polar bear. Based on true events, this NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book inspires questions, thoughts, and even concerns for survival of the polar bears. The author provides well–organized supplementary information on both polar bears and climate change for the teacher to answer those questions.
Review posted on 1/22/2013
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