I know it's probably not politically correct, and I'm probably not supposed to say this, but as a little girl, I loved going to the zoo. One of the animals I loved most was the polar bear. I remember watching them cavort in the water.
Now that I'm older, I understand that wild animals are supposed to be free. And I feel so sad to know that the choices we have made are hugely damaging to other inhabitants of our planet. Especially animals like polar bears. I want my students to understand that we have to make better choices.
That's why I am so glad that there are books like SEA BEAR. Debut picture book author Lindsay Moore, who has a degree in medical and scientific illustration, traces the journey of a polar bear, across the Arctic ice and through the ocean. It's one of those timeless picture book, simple enough for very young children, and yet one I am sure would also engage my middle school readers.
End matter includes a page of factual information about polar bears, sea ice, and climate change, and another page about other animals above and below the ice.
"Polar bears are patient beasts,as patient as glaciers. We know how to hope and how to wait.I learned to be patient long agofrom my polar bear mother-
to be patient while hunting,to be patient with weather,to be patient in darkness.
A polar bear can outwait almost anything-- seals, storms, and long sunless winters-- but a bear needs something to stand on,
I watch the ice.
