This book is about the life of a Polar bear, what they eat, their anatomy, even how many cubs they typically have. This book would be amazing for a 3rd grade class. I might use this to kick off a discussion on fiction and non-fiction, and maybe introduce a project on animals. After reading this book, students could choose an animal to research and present to the class what they learned.

This book would be great for teaching early elementary students, especially when teaching about arctic animals- since this book follows the daily life of polar bears. ( )

Summary: This book follows the daily life of polar bears, also called Nanuk by the Inuit people. The physiological adaptations of polar bears are mentioned, showing how they are able to thrive in the Arctic during summer and winter. By watching the polar bear, the Inuit people have learned many lessons about how to live in the Arctic. The end of the book talks about the impact that global warming is having on polar bears, and some simple things we can do to help preserve the polar bear's home.

Genre Critique: This is a good example of an informational text, because the facts that are presented are accurate. Illustrations of polar bears in the Arctic are used to support the information, making it interesting for children to look at. Text features such as bolded words and an index are present to help the reader more easily comprehend the content. The book is well organized and easy to read as one journeys alongside a polar bear in its Arctic home.

Media: oil and pencil

Nicola Davies tells a story giving important facts about how polar bears live in the Arctic. At the back of the book you can find more important facts about polar bears and an index. The book can be used to help students study habitats. Grades K - 2 ( )

Annotation: Describes amazing facts about the polar bears and its importance to the Inuit people.

Review:

Polar Bears have several names: ice bear, white bear, sea bear, or as the Inuit people of the Artic call them, Nanuk. In Nicola Davies book Ice Bear, treats the polar bear as a majestic creature worthy of wonder and awe. There are facts about the bear in the text blocks as well as floating in the illustrations. The illustrations use of subdued hues and cool palette creates a beautiful effect and is what makes this book stand out from other books about polar bears. Polar bears are illustrated swimming, playing, sleeping, and includes a slightly shocking illustration of the bear hunting where you see the white face of the polar bear tinged with blood. There is a note at the end explaining the precarious situation polar bears are in living in as their habitat is disappearing due to global warming. Because of the illustrations this books should appeal to younger children as well and is recommended for children age 5-9.

Other Reviews: School Library Journal found the ethereal quality of the oil painting somewhat distracting, which I strongly disagree with. Instead of showing anthropomorphized polar bears the books illustration capture the bear and its Artic habitat as they really live. Both reviewers comment on the illustration of the bloody face after the seal hunt, which is important for it may be too much for sensitive children.

School Library Journal 52.2 (Feb 2006): 95(1)
Kirkus Reviews 73.22 (Nov 15, 2005): 1230(1) ( )