The Last Bear

April Wood is often alone. Her father immerses himself in his scientific research, unable to deal with the death of April's mother seven years ago, and her only real friends are the animal companions she finds in odd corners wherever she can. However, when April's father is offered a post in the Arctic, she believes the shared adventure will be an opportunity to work on their relationship.

Disappointingly, even though they are the only humans on Bear Island, the gap only seems to widen. At a loss, April decides to explore the island on her own and makes a remarkable discovery. An impossible polar bear! She soon learns that he is stranded, injured, hungry and unable to return home and April makes it her mission to help him, no matter the cost.

The Last Bear is a powerful and endearing novel about the impact of climate change on the environment, The Last Bear is both a charming bedtime read and an inspiring story meant to call children and adults to action. Illustrated throughout with soulful images by Levi Pinfold, it is an excellent choice for a class read or PSHE lessons for children aged 8 and above.

Unlike many stories with similar themes, there is hope in the message that it is not too late to protect our planet, however small or young a person feels.

304 pages / Ages 8+ / Reviewed by Rhiannon Cook, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+

The Last Bear is a story that sings to your heart. Set on the bleak and lonely wilderness of the Arctic Circle, we follow April's journey of discovery, both literally and metaphorically. Despite the barren nature of the landscape and the lack of human interaction, The Last Bear is bursting with beautiful sensory descriptions which cast vivid images into the mind's eye.

April has lost her mother and in the process has almost lost her father too; he is grief-stricken and seems to have forgotten April's existence and has certainly overlooked her sadness and loneliness. When he is stationed on a remote island in the Arctic Circle as part of his scientific research, April is excited to join him, naively thinking that they will at last have time and adventures together.

Sadly, April is mistaken and whilst Dad shuts himself away in his cabin with his instruments and gauges for company, April is left to her own devices. Despite being told that there are no bears left on Bear Island, when April believes she catches a glimpse of one, she is bravely determined to prove that she is right. What follows is a beautiful tale of friendship and bonding, of seeking all that is lost and regaining the love, trust and understanding that has been missing for so long.

Bear had echoes of Narnia's Aslan for me. He is majestic and strong whilst being vulnerable and big-hearted. Readers will love the way in which April and Bear communicate through their mutual understanding and how a giant creature can melt the heart of a small girl who has not felt love for a very long time.

Flowing through the book is the theme of environmental impact and our threatened planet. Bear epitomises the harm that Man is doing to the planet. A once strong, formidable creature is reduced to skin and bones and is struggling to survive because of melting ice caps and plastics in the ocean. How clever of Hannah Gold to present such hard-hitting, big issues in such a delicate and charming way. Readers will ache at the plight of Bear and will stop to consider the plight of our world. In a non-preachy way, Hannah Gold is telling all readers that they, like April, can make a stand and do something before it is too late.

Once the last page of this stunning book has been turned, its messages will resonate for a long time to follow. April's tenacity, her resilience, her gentleness and her vulnerability will make a mark in your heart.

April's friendship with Bear is purely a work of fiction and most readers will know that a polar bear and a small child could never be companions but this book weaves a spell that allows reality to be suspended and for imagination and dreams to be as clear as the northern lights. I believed that April and Bear were best friends and I truly wanted their friendship to last forever.

This is a book with impact: it has a strong environmental message; it has a theme of love and loss and it is overwhelmingly about friendship and acceptance. A brilliantly beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations and delicious descriptions. A must have.

304 pages / Ages 8+ / Reviewed by Jo Clarke, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+