Ice Bears (Hardcover)

~ Brenda Z. Guiberson (Author), Ilya Spirin (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–4—This story of the struggle of a polar bear mother and her two cubs to survive introduces both the harsh conditions of the Arctic and the challenges of global warming for polar bears in general. Guiberson uses precise verbs and onomatopoeia to paint a picture of the daily activities of the bears while gracefully weaving in facts about their weight, diet, and climate. Spirin's detailed watercolors are surprisingly varied in depicting an essentially frozen world, using interesting perspectives including a close-up view inside the bears' den and a view of them peering through the ice as witnessed from below. End matter includes a call for action to slow global warming and a list of organizations to contact online. Pair this with Robert E. Wells's Polar Bear, Why Is Your World Melting? (Albert Whitman, 2008) for a science read-aloud session.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
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From Booklist

Lush, realistic watercolor illustrations, filling each double-page spread, accompany a brief text depicting a year in the life of a female polar bear and her two cubs in the Arctic. As winter approaches, the polar bear digs a nesting den where she will give birth to her cubs, which “are born deaf, blind and almost hairless. Each weighs barely a pound.” In March the family leaves the den and the cubs learn survival skills before traveling to the ocean in pursuit of their main food source, ringed seals. They encounter many other creatures along the way, but the polar bears are always the dominant feature in each dynamic spread. The final two pages feature alerts about the effect of global warming on polar bears and a list of Web sites of environmental organizations. The illustrations are lovely, including underwater scenes that are especially well rendered. The short text features enough variety and drama to keep readers engaged. This is a worthy introduction to a topic with perennial interest, especially since the species has become vulnerable. Grades K-3. --Randall Enos

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (October 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805076077
• ISBN-13: 978-0805076073
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #298,768 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an utterly charming and informative tale about a polar bear and her cubs!, April 11, 2009

By	D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Winter is fast approaching in the arctic territory and the female polar bear needs to find shelter and hibernate for the winter. At this time of year she can be very roly-poly and weighs in at around 800 pounds. In December she suddenly finds that she is not longer alone in her den with the arrival of her two cubs. They are defenseless as they are "born deaf, blind and almost hairless." A blizzard rages outside, but she will nurse them and keep them warm. "Slurpslurp!"

Through the coming months she will protect them and teach them many lessons they will have to learn to survive in such a harsh climate. She teaches them to walk on the ice and snow, shows them she means business when she shoos a fierce male polar bear away, she has them watch her catch a seal to eat and teaches them to swim. "SPLOOSH!" There are so very many things that polar bear cubs need to learn.

The art work is charming and realistic. The reader can almost feel the chill when the arctic snows swirl in the pictures. The storyline is not only adorable, but also very informative. This is a wonderful cuddle up in a beanbag story or one to be read and discussed during circle time.