Where Do Polar Bears Live? Thomson, Sarah L. (author). Chin, Jason (illustrator). (2010). New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers. 37 pages. ISBN: 978-0-06-157518-1.
Non-fiction: Informational: Ages 4 to 8
Topics and Main Points:
Where Do Polar Bears Live takes the reader through the life of an Arctic Polar Bear. The book goes through the life cycle and needs of polar bears. When the mother and cub emerge from beneath the ice, they must hunt seals to regain all the weight the mother has lost during hibernation. The reader is informed about the way that a polar bear's body mechanics keep it warm, and allow it to live on the ice. Over the last one hundred years, the earth has become consistently warmer, meaning there is less ice to be used as a habitat and hunting ground for the bears. This means that mother's aren't having as many cubs and more cubs are not surviving into adulthood. The book ends by telling students what they can do to help combat global warming. This discussion of global warming wasn't appreciated by all reviewers. Kirkus Reviews writes that towards the end of the text the tone changes from "informative to exhortative" and that "this series has already addressed global warming, and its heavy presence in this title seems shoehorned in solely to galvanize readers."
Where Do Polar Bears Live takes the reader through the life of an Arctic Polar Bear. The book goes through the life cycle and needs of polar bears. When the mother and cub emerge from beneath the ice, they must hunt seals to regain all the weight the mother has lost during hibernation. The reader is informed about the way that a polar bear's body mechanics keep it warm, and allow it to live on the ice. Over the last one hundred years, the earth has become consistently warmer, meaning there is less ice to be used as a habitat and hunting ground for the bears. This means that mother's aren't having as many cubs and more cubs are not surviving into adulthood. The book ends by telling students what they can do to help combat global warming. This discussion of global warming wasn't appreciated by all reviewers. Kirkus Reviews writes that towards the end of the text the tone changes from "informative to exhortative" and that "this series has already addressed global warming, and its heavy presence in this title seems shoehorned in solely to galvanize readers."
Author/Illustrator:
The author uses a very direct style. She discusses the hunting of seals, and the disappearance of habitat in age appropriate ways. She also makes comparisons as to the size of Polar Bears in ways kids can recognize. For example she says that if "he stood on his hind legs, his head would brush the ceiling of your living room" and "he will weigh as much as three tigers". The illustrator is able to put a lot of expression into the illustrations. When the Polar Bear is standing on the scale with the three tigers, they look scared. When the baby polar bear is frolicking in the snow it looks so cute, but when it and the mother polar bear are settling in to hunt seals, they both have ferocious looks on their faces. Young readers will read into these illustrations more than adults and will study the details of the drawings to better interpret the text. A review in the School Library Journal mentions that the illustrations "are done in frosty shades and enhance the text."
The author uses a very direct style. She discusses the hunting of seals, and the disappearance of habitat in age appropriate ways. She also makes comparisons as to the size of Polar Bears in ways kids can recognize. For example she says that if "he stood on his hind legs, his head would brush the ceiling of your living room" and "he will weigh as much as three tigers". The illustrator is able to put a lot of expression into the illustrations. When the Polar Bear is standing on the scale with the three tigers, they look scared. When the baby polar bear is frolicking in the snow it looks so cute, but when it and the mother polar bear are settling in to hunt seals, they both have ferocious looks on their faces. Young readers will read into these illustrations more than adults and will study the details of the drawings to better interpret the text. A review in the School Library Journal mentions that the illustrations "are done in frosty shades and enhance the text."
Classroom Tie-ins:
The book can be used as a resource in a life science unit, during discussions on earth day and the environment. There are several projects listed in the book that children can undertake at home, or implement in the classroom in order to minimize waste. These discussions could be turned into writing activities, letters to local or state officials, or science projects.
The book can be used as a resource in a life science unit, during discussions on earth day and the environment. There are several projects listed in the book that children can undertake at home, or implement in the classroom in order to minimize waste. These discussions could be turned into writing activities, letters to local or state officials, or science projects.
Personal Response:
I thought this book was well written for young readers. It addresses complex topics in ways that children will relate to and comprehend. The illustrations depict the day to day lives of polar bears, but there is also a polar bear in a doctor's jacket that adds details in a side note. I like that the polar bear seems to be teaching us about it's own kind.
I thought this book was well written for young readers. It addresses complex topics in ways that children will relate to and comprehend. The illustrations depict the day to day lives of polar bears, but there is also a polar bear in a doctor's jacket that adds details in a side note. I like that the polar bear seems to be teaching us about it's own kind.
Resources:
School Library Journal (2010, February). [Review of the book Where Do Polar Bears Live? by Sarah Thomson]. Retrieved from:
http://web.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/detail?vid=7&sid=f26756eb-c611-4568-8108-618e7e6ec59a%40sessionmgr4&hid=10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=47927583
Kirkus Reviews (2009, December 15). [Review of the book Where Do Polar Bears Live? by Sarah Thomson]. Retrieved from:
http://web.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/detail?vid=7&sid=f26756eb-c611-4568-8108-618e7e6ec59a%40sessionmgr4&hid=10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=47524226
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