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

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A dazzling debut . . . A magical, confidently told story - with beautiful illustrations by Levi Pinfold . . . I predict a roaring success' The Times Children's Book of the Week This book follows April who joins her father to Bear Island in the Atlantic circle. With it just being them two on the island for six months, April goes exploring and comes across a stranded polar bear. She strikes up a friendship with this polar bear as it also explores various themes such as grief, climate change and protecting our planet and animals. 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:

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. 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. Book Genre: Adventure, Animals, Childrens, Contemporary, Environment, Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Nature Character profile, figurative descriptions, dialogue, monologue, logbook entry, scientific report Main Outcome:

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... 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. About This Edition ISBN: 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. For me, there were strong connections to Anthony Browne's Gorilla. A girl, ignored, largely by her father, finds love and solace in a male replacement in the form of an animal. The difference being here that the animal needs saving and taking to a new place. The bear as a foil for her own father would make for an interesting comparison too.

This remained such an important and emotional story, throughout. My heart broke along with April's at the plastic-strewn shorelines, diminishing species, and disappearing ice caps this featured. The polar bear that appeared upon one of April's adventures ensured this was not a wholly traumatic and sorrowful read, however. I can imagine it providing a whimsical yet educational reading experience for its target audience, as it appealed to this grown-up reader in a very similar way. 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. Since April's mother died, her father has grown ever-distant - throwing himself into his work. So when an opportunity arises for them both to work on the remote Bear Island within the Arctic Circle, April and Dad, both recognise great potential in the trip even if their goals are different. Whilst April hopes that the solitude might bring them closer together, her father sees this as an even greater opportunity to become lost in research. With no one to really talk to or be with, April tours the island only to find it has another resident - a lost, neglected polar bear. 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… 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.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? This book evokes a powerful and tender relationship . . . and is a roaring call to protect the planet' The Sunday Times

This is a 3-week Writing Root for The Last Bear by Hannah Gold in which children use the text to explore a range of genres and styles of writing. One of the key elements of this text is the way it weaves a gripping tale with important messages relating to the environment and climate change. Within this context, children will explore the main characters and their environment by writing in role, creating dialogue and writing scientifically about polar bears. The sequence of learning culminates in children becoming journalists to write a newspaper report about a key event in the story and taking the opportunity to highlight important environmental messages to the reader. Synopsis of Text: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.

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. 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 is an important first novel, important for us, for polar bears, for the planet. It is deeply moving, beautifully told, quite unforgettable.' - Michael MorpurgoThe character of Bear came to me first. I can’t rememberwhen or how, but suddenly he was gazing at me with his darkchocolate eyes and a forlorn, pleading expression on his face. I’vealways found it impossible to ignore animals, particularly ones asmagnificent, regal and bighearted as Bear. There was a story he hadto tell, and I, apparently, was the one to tell it. When I wrote this book, most of the children’s books aboutclimate change were dystopian. But I believe it’s not too lateand that’s why I was keen to tell a story that showed how onegirl, even a very little one, could create a huge impact. You don’tneed to single-handedly rescue a polar bear like April (I wouldn’tadvise that!), but I hope this book encourages every reader tobelieve that he or she can help. And if, like me, you’ve fallen in lovewith Bear, then the best way to help polar bears and protect ourbeautiful planet is to do everything you can to fight climate change.With a loud enough roar, I know we can make a difference.” 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. 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. Characters like April's are exactly why I love reading Middle Grade stories so much. She was fierce and feisty, independent, and idealistic. Her attitude resulted in more than one spot of trouble she found herself in, but it also ensured she got herself out of it, as well.