The Last Bear
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4.3 • 3 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Imagine making friends with a polar bear… The Last Bear is perfect for readers of 8+, beautifully illustrated throughout by Levi Pinfold – winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and illustrator of Harry Potter 20th anniversary edition covers.
WINNER OF THE 2022 BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD
WINNER OF THE 2022 WATERSTONES CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE
SHORTLISTED FOR CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS 2022
SHORTLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2022
“This is an important first novel, important for us, for polar bears, for the planet. It is deeply moving, beautifully told, quite unforgettable.” Michael Morpurgo.
There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost for six months. But one endless summer night, April meets one. He is starving, lonely and a long way from home. Determined to save him, April begins the most important journey of her life…
This moving story will win the hearts of children the world over and show them that no one is too young or insignificant to make a difference. The Last Bear is a celebration of the love between a child and an animal, a battle cry for our world and an irresistible adventure with a heart as big as a bear’s.
‘A dazzling debut . . . A magical, confidently told story – with beautiful illustrations by Levi Pinfold . . . I predict a roaring success’ The Times
Reviews
People have taken THE LAST BEAR to their hearts and we hope you will too . . .
‘This is an important first novel, important for us, for polar bears, for the planet. It is deeply moving, beautifully told, quite unforgettable’ Michael Morpurgo
‘Utterly entrancing – full of wildness and love’ Carlie Sorosiak, author of I Cosmo
‘A lovely thing’ Katherine Rundell, author of Rooftoppers
‘This moving story will win the hearts of children the world over and show them that no one is too young or insignificant to make a difference’ The Leader
‘An utterly transporting story . . . Fierce and wild and full of hope. And Levi Pinfold’s artwork is DIVINE’ Abi Elphinstone, author of Sky Song
‘A triumph from start to finish’ Nizrana Farook, author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant
‘Both a hug and a battle cry with the most beautiful friendship at its heart. April and Bear's bond changes them both forever. And it might just change you too’ Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn
‘A beautiful story . . . My heart went out to Bear and April and the lost environments of the north. This is a hugely important and moving read, that shows just what toll climate change is taking on the natural world’ Lauren James, author of The Quiet at the End of the World
‘I loved this book . . . What a wintry treat!’ Francesca Gibbons, author of A Clock of Stars
‘I love this book so much that I read it twice. It has to be one of the most moving and beautifully written children’s books of recent years. I cannot recommend it highly enough’
David Walliams
‘A dazzling debut . . . A magical, confidently told story – with beautiful illustrations by Levi Pinfold . . . I predict a roaring success’ The Times Children’s Book of the Week
‘A lyrical debut’ Telegraph
‘A roaring call to protect the planet’ The Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Though debut author Gold conveys the danger of approaching polar bears, this lightly fantastical tale will have readers dreaming of an ursine friend of their own. Ever since her mother's death seven years before this book's start, April Wood, 11, has lived alone with her neglectful father, whose job at a nearby university researching weather patterns makes for an unpredictable schedule. When he secures a six-month-long position measuring temperatures for the Norwegian government on secluded Bear Island, April has nothing but a set of encyclopedias to keep her busy in the arctic circle. But sensitive April, who knows the key to making animals feel safe lies in listening to them, has a knack for befriending wild animals. When she meets an injured polar bear, she helps him heal and regain weight. As the two grow closer and embark on adventures together, April soon learns that the melting ice caps mean Bear can't travel to other areas with polar bear populations. Slater's full-page b&w illustrations amplify tension by visualizing majestic or dramatic scenes, often featuring April and Bear. While Gold's conservationist message is occasionally heavy-handed, fans of Pax will appreciate this endearing story of interspecies friendship, which will inspire young eco-activists. Ages 8–12.
Customer Reviews
Great
I loved this book
Charli