Dive into the world of polar bears with these books
Young readers can learn more about polar bears and other arctic animals through this unique booklist.
The library booklist provides readers with names of books and other material recommended by the staff of Western Counties Regional Library. All recommendations are posted at www.westerncounties.ca under Recommended Reading with links to our catalogue.
How Would You Survive as a Polar Bear? by David Stewart
What is it like to live as a polar bear? Experience the life cycle of this animal through its own eyes. Through the quirky, humorous and irreverent approach of this book, kids will enjoy learning about the life of this endangered mammal.
Nattiq and the Land of Statues by Barbara Landry
A ringed seal, known in Inuktitut as nattiq, has returned to his Arctic home after a long journey south. His friends, a polar bear, caribou, raven, walrus and narwhal, gather round to hear about his trip. “What did you see beyond our land?” shouts the polar bear. Nattiq describes the amazing sights he has seen, from crystal clear waters full of giant icebergs to the tundra in full summertime bloom to strange, tall statues, far to the south.
Arctic Animals by Jill McDonald
This book introduces young readers to animals that live in the polar regions of the world, including reindeer, Arctic foxes, polar bears, narwhals and walruses.
The Last Bear by Hannah Gold
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 a faraway Arctic outpost for six months.
But one night, April catches a glimpse of something distinctly bear shaped loping across the horizon. A polar bear who shouldn’t be there and is hungry, lonely and a long way from home. As their unlikely bond grows, April is determined to save her new friend.
Sea Bear by Lindsay Moore
A polar bear waits patiently for spring when the ice breaks up, but after months of hunting, paddling and resting on ice floes, summer ends and the bear must swim very far to find land. It includes facts about polar bears and the effect of climate change on their environment.
The Polar Bear by Jenni Desmond A gorgeously illustrated non-fiction book about the polar bear, this is a factually accurate as well as a poetic exploration of polar bear bodies, habits and habitats. Working in a painterly, expressive way, Jenni Desmond creates landscapes and creatures that are marked by atmosphere and emotion, telling a story about bears that engages the reader’s interest in amazing facts as well as their deep sense of wonder.