By Hannah Gold (author) , Levi Pinfold (illustrator)
"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"
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March 2021 Debut of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month February 2021 | Winner of the Best Story in the Blue Peter Book Awards 2022.
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 next six 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.
**The images and illustrations in this extract are subject to copyright © Levi Pinfold and may not be used without permission.
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.
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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.
'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
'On one level this is pure escapist joy, an adventure story about the extraordinary bond between a child and an animal. But there is a deeper message at work, too. April shares the urgent concerns of so many young people about the environment, witnessing first-hand the impact of climate change. And Gold gives her the agency to make an impact, a move that will resonate with children who feel powerless. A beautiful, unforgettable debut, enhanced by Pinfold's breathtaking art.' - Fiona Noble, The Bookseller
Hannah Gold worked in the film and magazine industries before taking time out to pursue her dream of writing. She lives in Lincolnshire with her tortoise, her cat and her husband. The Last Bear was her middle grade debut which became an inspirational, international bestseller on release in 2021.
On winning the Best Story in the Blue Peter Book Awards 2022, Hannah said: 'When I found out I had won, I burst into tears and couldn't speak. Like many children, I grew up on a diet of Blue Peter, following the show’s adventures and falling in love with all the pets. This feels particularly apt, because whilst The Last Bear touches upon serious themes, at its core, it is a story about the love between a child and an animal. 'Some of my earliest memories are visits to the library with my mum and then scampering back home to lose myself in the pages of a book. Books aren't just about escape. For children, stories play an increasingly important role in teaching empathy, kindness and tolerance. They help shape identity, a sense of belonging and often lend courage.'
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When April and her father have to travel to bear island April hopes it will be the perfect time for them to re-connect. But after a few weeks on this deserted island, she finds something else, something much more important, the last bear. Hurt, hungry and alone, April embarks on the biggest journey of her life to help Bear get home.
One of the most heartfelt books I have ever read,c ombining an impossible not to love protagonist with an animal in need and an arctic setting, The Last Bear really has no faults.
When April and her father have to travel to bear island April hopes it will be the perfect time for them to re-connect. But after a few weeks on this deserted island, she finds something else, something much more important, the last bear.... Read Full Review
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Last Bear and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
The Last Bear features in the following genres: Animal Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Ecological and Environmental Interest - Fiction, Stories about Family and Friends, Featured Books for 7+ readers, Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month, Wildlife, The Natural World, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback, Hardback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Last Bear was written by Hannah Gold and published by HarperCollins an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
The Last Bear has 316 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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