Polar bears are very easy creatures to love. They’re adorable as cubs and majestic as adults, their physiology and social structures are fascinatingly unique, and they’ve often starred as major characters in beloved fantasy books over the years, like East by Edith Pattou and The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Yet polar bears are in danger, listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act and Depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. To celebrate our love for polar bears and raise awareness of their need for protection, we’ve gathered a list of seven picture books that celebrate polar bears and the very special animals that they are.
Ice Journey of the Polar Bear by Martin Jenkins, Illustrated by Lou Baker-Smith
A beautiful story of the unique bond between mother polar bears and their cubs, this poignant story follows a female bear as she builds a den for hibernation, then emerges in the spring with two adorable cubs in tow. Her babies follow her as she makes her way back to the ice floes to teach her cubs to hunt, and while the animals are lovely to look at, the themes of climate change and the human impact on the bears’ habitat are palpable: where ice should be, there is slush. Baker-Smith’s art brings the animals and their arctic environment to stunning life, and Jenkins’s story leaves the reader with ample cause to care about how they can help.
Lost by Mariajo Ilustrajo
While this title offers another polar bear on a journey, it’s a rather different one than the more realistic tale in the previous book. No, the polar bear of Lost finds himself extremely turned around: he has somehow ended up in a concrete jungle with absolutely no notion of how to get back home. The city folk seem far too busy to help or even notice the bear until a little girl on the subway offers a hand in friendship. The bear is pleased to make a friend and grateful for the child’s kindness, but how will he find his way back home? Utterly charming illustrations perfectly complement a tender story of friendship and unconditional kindness, which will leave readers of any age with a warm heart.
Polar Bear Island by Lindsay Bonilla, Illustrated by Cinta Villalobos
Parker is the mayor of Polar Bear Island and is rather proud of the peaceful, predictable, and polar bear-exclusive community he’s in charge of. When an adventuring penguin named Kirby arrives on an ice floe, he is quick to insist that she leave after a single night’s rest. However, the clever and creative Kirby quickly gains friends among the polar bears, much to Parker’s chagrin. Yet when Parker takes a tumble and Kirby comes to the rescue, Parker begins rethinking his “Polar Bears Only” policy. Not only a kid-friendly plot full of warmth and humor, this story also manages to impart the importance of diverse communities and how welcoming those who are different from ourselves benefits us all.
A Bear Far From Home by Susan Fletcher, Illustrated by Rebecca Green
This hauntingly beautiful tale is based on the real-life white bear that was owned by King Henry III in England. Framed by eye-catching medieval-inspired art by Green, Fletcher delicately yet movingly crafts a story that is part realism and part anthropomorphism as it implores the reader to “imagine” and “consider” how the bear might have felt living in a very strange land under very strange circumstances. The approach allows for weighty themes — like the ethics of owning wild animals and how to find joy even in times of sadness — without ever becoming bleak or without hope. It’s stunning and emotional and is sure to inspire important conversations on how we treat captive and wild animals.
Ida, Always by Caron Levis, Illustrated by Charles Santoso
Sorry, we had to; on a list of important polar bear books, to exclude the stunning and heartbreaking Ida, Always would be a crime. Gus the polar bear lives a humdrum life in the middle of a park, in the middle of a city. Yet he has someone to share his life with: his best friend and fellow polar bear, Ida. However, Ida becomes sick one day, and their zookeeper breaks the news that Ida will pass away soon. An incredibly honest yet comforting exploration of terminal illness and grief, the story affirms young readers that there is no incorrect way to mourn, be it for the person who is sick or for those who love them. It’s a hardy person who can make it through this one without crying, but it’s a masterpiece worthy of all the recognition it gets.
Leaf by Sandra Dieckmann
The crows saw him first, drifting to the mainland on a small raft of ice. When he took shelter in a cave that the other animals avoided, the whispers started. He looked nothing like the rest of the animals, all white fur, enormous, too loud, and too different. And he acted so strangely: wandering the forest all day and collecting leaves! Yet when Leaf the polar bear does something entirely unexpected, the animals must reconsider all their prejudices against him. A powerful cautionary tale against the fear of otherness, Dieckmann’s heartfelt story and stunning illustrations encourage the reader not to judge someone simply because they look, sound, or act differently from us, especially as they may have very good reasons and may even need our help but don’t know how to ask.
Solar Bear by Beth Ferry, Illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
In a powerful ode to planet Earth and our place on it, readers follow the journey of a solar bear — a luminous polar bear who speaks directly to the reader — as it travels the globe, uniting with other “solar” creatures as they glide through areas inhabited by humans. The solar bear explains that all creatures of the Earth are linked to one another, even if these ties cannot be seen by humans, and implores young readers to consider how they treat the planet that we all share and to use their voices and hands to enact change to prevent the endangered and threatened species from dying out. Ferry’s verse is simple yet stirring, and Wenzel’s celebrated talent for wildlife illustration is in full form.
Polar bears — like all creatures — deserve our stewardship and protection, and we hope that these books will inspire you to look into how you can make a positive impact on their lives and habitats. Happy reading!
For more of our kids’ book recommendations for nature lovers, check out this article on Picture Books That Little Green Thumbs Will Love.
To see more of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
