Nanuk the Ice Bear

Winter (Mr. Cornell's Dream Boxes) examines the life of Nanuk, a polar bear (or "ice bear," as she refers to her), against a changing polar landscape. She tints flat, folk-art-style images, set in small rectangular boxes, with the pale blues and greens of glaciers and ocean waters; the white backgrounds are slowly engulfed by ever-rising waves, an ominous visual indicator of the threats facing Nanuk and her fellow animals. Winter explores the geography of Nanuk's Arctic surroundings, following the bear as she hunts for food, meets a male bear, digs a den, sleeps, and gives birth to two cubs. She teaches the cubs to hunt; after a few years, they leave, and she is left alone once more. "The ice is melting. The sea is rising," Winter writes. "Soon there will be no place to hunt." Winter closes with a description of Nanuk dreaming "of snow falling and falling and freezing into ice." The story is a memorable introduction to the issue of climate change for primary-school audiences, one that carries a distinct undercurrent of sadness. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

PreS-Gr 1--Unassuming yet captivating illustrations set the mood in this picture book about a polar bear's life. Each page is adorned with a bottom border of waves, which incrementally rise as the story continues, and the color scheme changes from pale blues to varying shades of purples and pinks. The action of the story takes place in center frames bordered in white and captures the isolation and beauty of this harsh environment. The story chronicles Nanuk's life and her becoming a mother to two cubs. With interesting details about hunting habits and the creation of winter dens, the book is sure to please curious young readers. The ending includes a definite warning about climate change and offers some further reading on the topic. Winter has created a restful and beautifully illustrated book about polar bears. VERDICT A sweet and mellow read that will have a large audience with its spare text and simple yet endearing illustrations.--Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, St. Joseph, MI