The Very, Very Far North (The Very, Very Far North #1)

by Dan Bar-El (Author) Kelly Pousette (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
An inquisitive polar bear named Duane befriends an array of animals as he discovers where he belongs in this charming classic-in-the making that's reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh. In the Very, Very Far North, past the Cold, Cold Ocean and just below the hill that looks like a baby whale, you'll find Duane and his friends. Duane is a sweet and curious young bear who makes friends with everyone he meets--whether they're bossy, like Major Puff the puffin, or a bit vain, like Handsome the musk ox, or very, very shy, like Boo the caribou. For these arctic friends, every day is a new adventure!
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School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-A sort of arctic Winnie the Pooh, Duane the Polar Bear meets a wide variety of friends and has many adventures in this gentle novel. At times, the narration can feel too knowing and the whimsy a bit forced. Nonetheless, as the episodic chapters progress, each character is well developed and the kindness with which these friends treat each other is instructive without being didactic. CC the Owl doesn't like being touched, Boo the Caribou is quite shy, and Magic the Fox is very impulsive--but Duane thoughtfully learns to understand their different points of view and include them in his escapades. The rich language and wordplay make for an excellent read-aloud. VERDICT Recommended, especially as a read-aloud, for fans of classics like A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh and Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, or for those seeking a solid demonstration of positive social interaction.-Gesse Stark-Smith, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Quirky and imaginative—postmodern storytelling at its best."—Kirkus Reviews
Dan Bar-El
Dan Bar-el is an award-winning children's author, educator and storyteller. His writing includes both chapter books and picture books, all of which are highly flammable. If you are reading this book with a dragon, he asks you to please use caution. When not writing or putting out fires, Dan travels about, visiting many schools and libraries. He lives in Vancouver, BC with his wife, artist and goldsmith, Dominique Bréchault (who happens to own a blowtorch!).

Tim Bowers has illustrated over thirty books, including the New York Times best seller, Dream Big, Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi. His books have received numerous state and national awards and have been chosen as Junior Library Guild selections. His artwork has been exhibited in the Society of Illustrators Annual Art Exhibition in New York and Los Angeles and the prestigious Original Art Exhibition, celebrating the fine art of children's book illustration. Although Mr. Bowers was born into a proud family of hairdressers (his mother was a hairdresser, his grandmother was a hairdresser and his great-grandfather was a barber) he opted to become an illustrator. Now, without hair, Bowers continues to enjoy telling stories with pictures, which is not your typical Bowers.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534433427
Lexile Measure
840
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date
October 20, 2020
Series
The Very, Very Far North
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV002030 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Bears
JUV030120 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Polar Regions
Library of Congress categories
Humorous stories
Bears
Friendship
Animals
Arctic regions
Polar bear

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