The Last Bear: Winner of the Blue Peter Award – ‘A dazzling debut’ THE TIMES

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Ever since her mum died, April's father has thrown himself into his work. So when he announces that they'll be moving to an uninhabited island in the Arctic Circle so he can take weather measurements, she's hopeful that they'll be able to spend more time together. Even though it's set in the Arctic Circle, The Last Bear is full of warmth. Young readers won't forget it in a hurry. This was a delight to read. I enjoyed the themes that didn’t really seem probable and partially magical, because they helped to show compassion and kindness throughout the story. In addition to the much needed light shed on environmentalism and conservation, they was a lot of attention to loss and coping. This was done in a way that I felt could be easily understood by children. I loved that there was a call to do your part, no matter how small you are, or how small your action, you can make a difference. Small action leads to results faster than no action at all. Such an inspiring message for children! 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. An utterly transporting story... Fierce and wild and full of hope. And Levi Pinfold's artwork is DIVINE.' - Abi Elphinstone, author of Sky Song

When they arrive, though, April's dad is still really busy, so she takes the opportunity to explore Bear Island for herself. One day, she spots a polar bear... but polar bears aren't supposed to be on Bear Island anymore. How did he get there? And how can she protect him? 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. 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. Text Rationale: Book Genre: Adventure, Animals, Childrens, Contemporary, Environment, Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Nature This book evokes a powerful and tender relationship . . . and is a roaring call to protect the planet' The Sunday TimesThe chapters were a desirable length, and kept a good pace, which I believe will help readers to stay engaged. If you’re looking for a really sweet middle grade to dive into, for yourself or for a younger person in your life, this book was really beautiful. From the actual story itself to the illustrations that accompanied it, I really enjoyed this one. 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

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. This book followed April, 11, told in the third person point of view, as she recounted about how she met Bear 3 weeks after she arrived on Bear Island. Her dad was a scientist and her mom died when she was younger. Due to an assignment about global warming, April's father was offered a job to do his research for 6 months in the Arctic Circle, specifically, Bear Island. Her dad's job was often busy and she's left on her own. Bear Island no longer has Bear because the ice caps have melted. On April's first day on Bear Island, she thought she saw a glimpse of a polar bear and so her mission was to hunt for him every day and to eventually understand why he's here. This beautifully written story - featuring captivating illustrations from Levi Pinfold - is a moving tale that children will fall in love with. This story is a wonderful mix of the wonder of the natural world and a call to activism. April Wood is an 11 year old girl that has a deep relationship with nature. She feels drawn to the heart of the Earth, and can sense the secret things of wildlife. She will be spending the summer on an arctic island while her father works measuring the changing temperatures and collecting data. The island they will be going to is called Bear Island, only due to the decreasing size of ice caps, polar bears no longer inhabit the area. Or do they?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. I loved the messages within this book, and I think if young minds read this, it will really open their eyes to the world and inspire them to want to help the planet. I think in using this friendship between April and Bear, we can understand more the impact we are having on this planet. I truly think, in the right hands, this book will do so much for the next generation in making this world a better place.

A heart-warming and magical story of a very special relationship between a child and a polar bear which will inspire readers of all ages to realise that they, like April, can make a difference in the battle against climate change. When animal loving April arrives on Bear Island in the Arctic Circle where she will live for the nextsix months while her father runs the scientific operations she is told that, despite the island’s name, there are no bears on it. The melting ice caps mean that the polar bears can no longer arrive from the nearest mainland near Svalbard.But April soon finds out that there is one bear left. And April needs to do everything she can to keep him alive. Confident of her ability to communicate with the bear and to feed him, April nourishes the bear and even plans his return to safety. Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold, The Last Bear invites readers to care about the science behind the fate of an endangered species and to believe in one girl’s magical solution to the problem. Hannah's writing is full of poetry and emotion. Whilst Bear is wild, April is caught between sensibility and the special gift she has with being attuned to nature; it is this that allows her to communicate with Bear throughout. This connection between reality and the magical wildness of the landscape and Bear was something I enjoyed and there were times when I wondered, like April's father, whether Bear was real or not. All of which is heightened by Levi Pinfold's outstanding illustrations throughout. This text links a gripping story with important social issues relating to the environment and climate change. Children will be able to explore these important topics through the eyes of the main character while also considering the experiences and prospects of the animals affected. Themes of kindness and adventure are explored, as well as the importance of fighting for what you believe in. Links and Themes:

LoveReading4Kids Says

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…

I finished this one last night but wanted to wait a bit before writing my review, and this one stayed with me and I think that's a sign of just how important and amazing a read this is. I think it would have ruined it Bear suddenly started talking. Overcoming the barrier of being totally different species is a beautifully written process and seeing the trust and their relationship grow really is beautiful.

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This book made me cry so hard and I’m looking at even more things to do to help with the animals and nature that matter more to me than anything. I’m going to have to get creative as I do a lot now and I want to do many more things that matter before I die.... April’s father takes her with him to an Arctic Outpost for six months while he does work with weather stuff. April and her father aren’t as close after her mother died years ago Her father proved just as lovable, if less immediately likable. His growth across the novel was a lovely one to witness, and also ensured this different from the usual main character's arc witnessed in other similar stories I have read. 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 . . .