By Annie Booker (author) , Annie Booker (illustrator)
"A stunning and unforgettable debut picturebook."
Paperback Pre-order. 15th October 2026 £8.99 £8.09
Hardback In Stock £12.99 £11.69
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November 2025 Debut of the Month
Annie Booker’s debut picture book is stunning, a visual adventure under the waves of the Arctic Ocean where the Great Bear, threatened by the arrival of mankind, is able to show one man the precarious beauty of her world.
She towers over the pages, an extraordinary physical presence, gazing at the reader through beds of kelp alongside seals and narwhals, bounding over icebergs, watching the destruction brought by man, and, finally, welcoming the human figure back as a fellow protector of the ocean, land and sky.
The message is one all young readers will take to heart, but the sensation of travelling through those icy green waters with this magical, majestic creature, that’s what will really bring the thrills.
The perfect gift for fans of illustration, mystical animal stories and nature lovers.
Read the full description
The Great Bear is a hopeful story about the power of nature, the importance of conservation and protecting our environment. From the winner of the Batsford Prize for Illustration, People's Choice Award - the prestigious annual award for student illustrators.
Since the dawn of time, the Great Bear has patrolled the oceans, protecting the Earth and her animals and overseeing the delicate balance of life. But now, one creature is changing everything. And the Great Bear cannot stand by.
Debut author and illustrator Annie Booker has created a breathtaking work of art with the feel of a timeless myth. Annie's hand-painted illustrations capture the fragility and strength of the natural world, and will be enjoyed by anyone who loves the art and stories of Levi Pinfold and Coralie Bickford-Smith.
Read The Great Bear to enter a world of snowy mountains, towering waves and deep, cold water. This book is a tribute to the precious beauty of our world, and carries an invigorating message of hope, about the power of storytelling.
This large hardback book features some inspiring information about real-life polar bears, and humanity's ongoing efforts to restore the nature of the Arctic, protect animals from extinction and regenerate the oceans.
"Here's a bear that lives and breathes in your mind long after the story is over. Powerful, majestic, vulnerable, an iconic portrait." Michael Morpurgo
"A stunningly realised, powerful debut from an exciting new talent" The Bookseller - Ten titles not to miss in October
"With muted colours and sweeping brush strokes Annie Booker captures the wonder, mystery and fragility of nature. A book to gift or keep for years to come." Children's Book of the Week - Press Association
Annie Booker is a Carlisle-based author and illustrator with a love for wildlife and passion for protecting endangered species. Her interest in illustration was nurtured by her aunt who was also a wildlife painter. After graduating from the University of West England, she lived in Bristol and went on to win the Batsford Prize People's Choice Award 2022 for The Great Bear as well as a commendation in the Macmillan Prize 2022. She is in training as a bird ringer with the British Ornithology Trust and documents her experiences on Instagram. She lives in Carlisle.
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The perfect gift for fans of illustration, mystical animal stories and nature lovers.The Great Bear is a hopeful story about the power of nature, the importance of conservation and protecting our environment. From the winner of the Batsford Prize for Illustration, People's Choice Award - the prestigious annual award for student illustrators.Since the dawn of time, the Great Bear has patrolled the oceans, protecting the Earth and her animals and overseeing the delicate balance of life.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Great Bear and determined it is suitable for children aged 5-8 years old
The Great Bear features in the following genres: Featured Books for 5+ readers, Featured Books for 7+ readers, Recommendations, Fantasy / Magical, Animal Stories, Mystery / Mythology, The Natural World, Wildlife, Ecological and Environmental Interest - Non Fiction, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage general interest: Bears, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Wildlife and habitats: Oceans and seas, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Wildlife and habitats: Ice, snow and tundra, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Magical realism / Magical fantasy, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Supernatural and mythological creatures, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: Social issues / topics, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Large land mammals, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Mammals, Children’s / Teenage: General interest
Paperback, Hardback. £11.69, down from the £12.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Great Bear was written by Annie Booker and published by Two Hoots an imprint of Pan Macmillan
The Great Bear has 40 pages
£11.69, reduced from £12.99. In Stock.
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