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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
3.5/5
I really loved the message of the story and it was such a beautiful ending too
I really loved the message of the story and it was such a beautiful ending too
I know it's been a long, long, long time since I was a kid but I swear that I didn't enjoy reading children's fiction as much as I did "The Last Bear" when I was young. Sure, I grew up on Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis and Beatrix Potter who were phenomenal writers in different ways, but I don't think any of their books had as much gravitas and thought-provoking topics as Hannah Gold's debut novel does.
April Wood is an 11-year old girl that has more of an affinity with animals than with people - moreso after the death of her mother from a car accident when she was 4. Her mother's death sent her scientist father retreating into his work, distancing himself from everyone, including April, from grief. However, when her she and her father ares sent to Bear Island - an island that used to be abundantly populated by Polar Bears before global warming melted the ice craps - so that he can study the temperature changes in the Arctic, April hopes that with them being the only two people on the island will bring her and her father closer again. But, April's father continues his work with the same fervour and distance as he did back in England, so April has nothing left to do but explore the now-deserted island. But, the island isn't as deserted as it first appears as she makes a larger-than-life friend in the very large, furry shape of the island's last remaining Polar Bear.
Hannah did such a wonderful job of bringing Bear Island to life - it's a real place south of the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard and despite being barely (bearly?) 70 square miles, she clearly did her research and made it into a wondrous place that I'd love to visit. Not only that, she beautifully crafted the fraught, if loving, relationship of April and her Father, and April's various encounters with the Polar Bear.
While you can't imagine a small girl befriending a Polar Bear in real life, Hannah made it seemed like it could be possible and did it in such a way that makes it completely believable with a mix of joy, wonder, love and respect - with April finding the companionship and love she was so sorely lacking back home. But she also manages to capture the pain and loneliness that both April and her Father were feeling following April's mothers death with sensitivity and grace, and also gets across the urgency and gravity of the situation of of climate change and human being's disregard for our habitat in which live and disrespect so much. It absolutely captivated me, a 41-year old person, and made me want to do better for our planet. When you add in the gorgeous illustrations of Levi Pinfold to bring this wonderful story to life even further, you have an absolutely wonderful children's book that will strike joy, and conversation, in both kids and adults alike and one that belongs on the shelf of anyone and everyone.
April Wood is an 11-year old girl that has more of an affinity with animals than with people - moreso after the death of her mother from a car accident when she was 4. Her mother's death sent her scientist father retreating into his work, distancing himself from everyone, including April, from grief. However, when her she and her father ares sent to Bear Island - an island that used to be abundantly populated by Polar Bears before global warming melted the ice craps - so that he can study the temperature changes in the Arctic, April hopes that with them being the only two people on the island will bring her and her father closer again. But, April's father continues his work with the same fervour and distance as he did back in England, so April has nothing left to do but explore the now-deserted island. But, the island isn't as deserted as it first appears as she makes a larger-than-life friend in the very large, furry shape of the island's last remaining Polar Bear.
Hannah did such a wonderful job of bringing Bear Island to life - it's a real place south of the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard and despite being barely (bearly?) 70 square miles, she clearly did her research and made it into a wondrous place that I'd love to visit. Not only that, she beautifully crafted the fraught, if loving, relationship of April and her Father, and April's various encounters with the Polar Bear.
While you can't imagine a small girl befriending a Polar Bear in real life, Hannah made it seemed like it could be possible and did it in such a way that makes it completely believable with a mix of joy, wonder, love and respect - with April finding the companionship and love she was so sorely lacking back home. But she also manages to capture the pain and loneliness that both April and her Father were feeling following April's mothers death with sensitivity and grace, and also gets across the urgency and gravity of the situation of of climate change and human being's disregard for our habitat in which live and disrespect so much. It absolutely captivated me, a 41-year old person, and made me want to do better for our planet. When you add in the gorgeous illustrations of Levi Pinfold to bring this wonderful story to life even further, you have an absolutely wonderful children's book that will strike joy, and conversation, in both kids and adults alike and one that belongs on the shelf of anyone and everyone.
4.5 stars
Read & reviewed for The Bookbag: http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/The_Last_Bear_by_Hannah_Gold
Read & reviewed for The Bookbag: http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/The_Last_Bear_by_Hannah_Gold
Read this with my class, they all really enjoyed it!
A lovely children’s story, but an equally poignant and importantly-messaged short book for adults too.
Hope contained in a roar
The Last Bear is a book that resonates with hope and a salutary warning for the fate of our planet. A story of courage and friendship, of the human experience of loss and grief, of determination to change things for the betterment of all and of the innate need for us all to seek the protection of others. In this beautifully written book, a magical friendship between a lonely young girl and a lone polar bear on a remote Arctic island we find the simplicity of friendship, trust and empathy.
Hannah Gold writes with purpose and honesty, a wake up call as climate change ravages habitats and threatens species and indeed mankind. But it is so much more than an environmental message. It is a book that reaffirms that we can all change the world, one act of kindness at a time. One friendship at a time, one roar at a time.
A stunningly beautiful book. Necessary and pertinent. Thank you for your gift Hannah Gold.
The Last Bear is a book that resonates with hope and a salutary warning for the fate of our planet. A story of courage and friendship, of the human experience of loss and grief, of determination to change things for the betterment of all and of the innate need for us all to seek the protection of others. In this beautifully written book, a magical friendship between a lonely young girl and a lone polar bear on a remote Arctic island we find the simplicity of friendship, trust and empathy.
Hannah Gold writes with purpose and honesty, a wake up call as climate change ravages habitats and threatens species and indeed mankind. But it is so much more than an environmental message. It is a book that reaffirms that we can all change the world, one act of kindness at a time. One friendship at a time, one roar at a time.
A stunningly beautiful book. Necessary and pertinent. Thank you for your gift Hannah Gold.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
🐻❄️ “But imagine if every single person on the plant just did one thing”
“Then it is still not enough”
“But it’s better than doing nothing” 🐻❄️
Let’s face it, our future generation has been tasked with saving planet earth. Books like this will make our youngsters really think about the changes required, about their part to play in that and empower them to be that change.
The Last Bear takes us on a journey with April to Bear Island… it’s said no polar bear remains. That is until April meets bear- hungry, alone and injured due to plastics in our sea.
The Last Bear shows us what it means to have a home, a community. That special bond with someone- whether that be a family member, a friend or indeed an animal like Bear. It really highlights the connection between humans and animals and how we need to do our part to make sure that they continue to strive and have the homes they love.
The Last Bear doesn’t shy away from those hard topics such as grief, loss, isolation and difficult family dynamics.
And all of this wrapped up in a picture perfect bow. What’s not to love?
I’ll be visiting The Lost Whale very soon. And I cannot wait!😍
“Then it is still not enough”
“But it’s better than doing nothing” 🐻❄️
Let’s face it, our future generation has been tasked with saving planet earth. Books like this will make our youngsters really think about the changes required, about their part to play in that and empower them to be that change.
The Last Bear takes us on a journey with April to Bear Island… it’s said no polar bear remains. That is until April meets bear- hungry, alone and injured due to plastics in our sea.
The Last Bear shows us what it means to have a home, a community. That special bond with someone- whether that be a family member, a friend or indeed an animal like Bear. It really highlights the connection between humans and animals and how we need to do our part to make sure that they continue to strive and have the homes they love.
The Last Bear doesn’t shy away from those hard topics such as grief, loss, isolation and difficult family dynamics.
And all of this wrapped up in a picture perfect bow. What’s not to love?
I’ll be visiting The Lost Whale very soon. And I cannot wait!😍
A brilliant adventure with a strong environmental message.