Orr, Tamara B. Polar Bears.

Orr, Tamara B.  Polar Bears.  Scholastic/Childrens Press   2013  48p   $28.00  ISBN 978-0-531-20980-6      elem series: Nature's Children       E-BN 

From polar bears’ environment to how they raise their cubs, this book is nonstop interesting! Nature’s Children as a series has been around for many years. The quality continues to be outstanding, from the photos of animals in their natural environments to the fluency of their text.  Most striking is the book’s attention to providing measurements that relate to concepts that a child can understand: stating that a baby polar bear weighs around two pounds and then comparing the size to that of a squirrel makes a visual impression that leads to true understanding of the size of a cub, so small when compared to the adult female and male polar bears.  Including a chart with a male polar-bear outline compared to that of a grown human male really puts the enormous size of the polar bear into perspective.  The map of polar bears’ habitats that also shows the puzzling imbedding between grizzlies and polar bears provides scientific “thinkable” moments.  Also of importance are the effects of hunting and global warming that threaten the livelihood of the polar bear.  The information on the ability of bears to swim and survive in the cold are well written and entertaining as well as thought-provoking.  Fun facts, a glossary of highlighted terms, a list for further reading, and an index just add to this outstanding book.      Nature’s Children contains numerous titles about a wide range of animals. Each book contains crisp, colorful photos and the text flows easily, with fascinating facts about each animal. Perfect for report writers in grades 2-5.    

Polar bears                                                       --Lois McNicol

Ellis, Richard. On Thin Ice.

Ellis, Richard.    On Thin Ice. 

Vintage see Random      2010  402p  18.95 978-0-307-45464-5    

hs/adult                E-BN  

Ellis presents a history of interactions between humans and polar bears, beginning with the initial

sightings by Europeans in the eleventh century, and moving through to the

present day, when polar bears number only 22,000.     

This book, sweeping in scope, is filled with well-documented information on polar bears and our uneasy

relationship to them, beginning with the gifting of a polar bear in 1056 by the

Bishop of Iceland to the Emperor of Germany, and dwelling on explorers who were

seeking passage to Asia over northeastern Russia in the nineteenth century.  The

reaction of these explorers to the magnificent beasts was to shoot them on sight,

but also to keep logs and journals documenting their behavior and nature.  Ellis

discusses the origins of the polar bear from the Pleistocene era, its social and

family organization, its adaptation to its environment, its relationship to the

native peoples of Alaska and Canada, and the present predicament of its

threatened status.  He includes many footnotes, references, and beautiful full-

color plates.  Written eloquently and rationally, this book should serve as a

passionate plea for humans to reverse their behavior, lest we lose these bears

altogether.             Kennedy, Carol