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19th out of 82 books
—
67 voters
Polar: The Titanic Bear
Polar is the charming story that the American heiress Daisy Corning Stone Spedden wrote for her son the year after her family escaped the doomed Titanic. The story, told through the eyes of the young boy's teddy bear, opens a window on a vanished Edwardian way of life and contains an enthralling eyewitness account of the Titanic disaster.
Hardcover, 64 pages
Published
September 1st 1994
by Madison Books
(first published 1994)
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this is a true story about a stuffed bear that made the rounds of several countries with his boy Douglas Spedden, and ended up on the Titanic. The book is filled with actual photos of Douglas with Polar, and fanciful 1900's themed watercolors that complete the vision.
The story is told from the point of view of the bear himself, so its sweet and non threatening.
Douglas, Polar and his mother make it safely to the lifeboat and are rescued by the Carpathia, but Polar is almost left behing on the li...more
The story is told from the point of view of the bear himself, so its sweet and non threatening.
Douglas, Polar and his mother make it safely to the lifeboat and are rescued by the Carpathia, but Polar is almost left behing on the li...more
Okay, if you can get around the fact that there is WAY too much text, and the story is not paced well, then this book is a great way to introduce kids to the titantic's tragedy.
The illustrations were lovely and realistic, and the period photos added nice touches. The fact that this true story follows the adventures of a stuffed animal was charming. Otherwise I wish the author had found a better editor to streamline the story.
I did like how the first part of this story was ANTI-Velveteen Rabbit....more
The illustrations were lovely and realistic, and the period photos added nice touches. The fact that this true story follows the adventures of a stuffed animal was charming. Otherwise I wish the author had found a better editor to streamline the story.
I did like how the first part of this story was ANTI-Velveteen Rabbit....more
Polar is a stuffed bear that belongs to a young boy. The entire story is told from the point of view of the bear, from the time he was stuffed and shipped, until the day his master passed away. Polar was a special bear because the young boy he belonged to was on the Titanic the night it sank. Polar offers an eyewitness account of the tradgic events that night in 1912.
Though the book was geared toward a seven year old boy, I find it hard to believe that a child that young today would be able to s...more
Though the book was geared toward a seven year old boy, I find it hard to believe that a child that young today would be able to s...more
Daisy Corning Stone Spedden was one of the few survivors of Titanic, along with her son and husband. As a Christmas present, she wrote this story for her son (who would tragically die a few years later), using the view of one of his favorite toys. Apparently she illustrated the original book too, but this one was redone by another illustrator. I actually would like to see the original illustrations. Daisy was a prolific photographer, and some of her photographs of the family were included in thi...more
The background information supplied were more fascinating than the actual story told, and added immensely to it. The story is a wonderful children's story - the life of a bear, who happened to survive the sinking of the Titanic. The story itself is not the most well-written, but the aforementioned supplemental info explained that it was written by the mother to her 7-year-old son, both of whom also survived the Titanic, and was found in an attic by relatives years later and published. It is a to...more
Dec 29, 2012
Tracksall
added it
A lover of children's books, I chose this delightful story written by a Titanic Survivor about her son and his bear. The photos included added a historical touch. It was purchased in Pigeon Forge at the Titanic Attraction. I recommend this tour if ever in Branson, MO or Pigeon Forge. And get a tour audio handset if you go! A great place for people who love reading. So much information on interpretive displays. We spent almost 4 hours and still didn't "see" (read) evey thing. Polar is a cute stor...more
I found Polar the Titanic Bear at a Goodwill for the nondescript price of $ .35. Printed across the front cover were the words ‘A True Story’, and the picture of Polar in his cute little sailor’s outfit did me in. I bought it. And I’m so glad I did.
The Story. Polar’s story begins inauspiciously as a seamstress stitches him together in a German toyshop. He is a stuffed animal and is part of a large order of toys which are being shipped to New York. As customers snatch Polar’s bear friends from th...more
The Story. Polar’s story begins inauspiciously as a seamstress stitches him together in a German toyshop. He is a stuffed animal and is part of a large order of toys which are being shipped to New York. As customers snatch Polar’s bear friends from th...more
Despite the title, this book is much more about Polar's 'life' *before* the Titanic. Perhaps it should be titled "Polar the bear of a fabulously wealthy boy in a bygone era, who happened to survive the sinking of the Titanic." It contains too much mundane and disconnected detail early on to maintain the attention of a young listener (even a 7yo with a keen interest in the Titanic). For example, do we need to know how long they stayed in each exotic locale and that they celebrated Washington's bi...more
This story is the product of a private family album from a marvelous lost time--like a time capsule. This is a children's book that is better for an adult or a teenager.
I will copy the abstract from amazon because it communicates exactly what I like about this book...please excuse my liberty
Imagine the excitement of rooting around in an old attic and discovering the letters, diaries, and photo albums of a relative. What if that memorabilia opened a window on the sinking of the Titanic, the most...more
I will copy the abstract from amazon because it communicates exactly what I like about this book...please excuse my liberty
Imagine the excitement of rooting around in an old attic and discovering the letters, diaries, and photo albums of a relative. What if that memorabilia opened a window on the sinking of the Titanic, the most...more
I found this book to be very interesting, although I couldn't get my 3 year old to sit through the whole thing. It is about a stuffed bear that survived the Titanic. The woman who wrote it, wrote it as a gift for her son who owned the stuffed bear. She kept many journals and took many photographs which you can see through out the book. It's about how a small boy (with his stuffed bear as narrator) would have felt about this historical disaster.
My greatest "accidental" find.... I would give this more than 5 stars if I could! This is a childrens' book, but adults will probably appreciate it more. Not only is this an incredible story (don't forget to find out what happens to "Master" - this is divulged only in the bigger hardcover edition) but the accompanying watercolor illustrations are fabulous! Run to your library and find this book!
Much more than just a Titanic story, this offers a look at one privileged child's life in the days before plane travel and vaccines & antibiotics. The text was written by one of the survivors, the mother of the boy who loved Polar, shortly after the event, and is accompanied by reproductions of lots of photos of the family and their adventures.
Good description of what life was like for the rich in America in the early 1900s - lots of travel abroad, servants, etc. This is a true account of the life of a young rich boy who happens to have been a survivor of the Titanic as told by his toy bear. Interesting, it includes many photographs that are great to look at. I love the history!
Good description of what life was like for the rich in America in the early 1900s - lots of travel abroad, servants, etc. This is a true account of the life of a young rich boy who happens to have been a survivor of the Titanic as told by his toy bear. Interesting, it includes many photographs that are great to look at. I love the history!
Polar the Titanic Bear is a book read on several levels. It is a story of love and devotion as well as a delightful children's story for all ages. The seriousness of the Titanic tragedy is balanced with the true love between mother and child, and child and teddy bear. There's something for everyone in this story.
Jul 27, 2011
Kristal Cooper
added it
This is an amazing story that I never knew about! Polar is a stuffed bear that belonged to a real boy in a real family that survived the sinking of the Titanic. Two Christmases later, the boy's mother wrote a children's book for her son, about Polar's adventures. This book includes both stories. Loved it!
I bought and read this to two very special little boys in my life. They adored the story and asked to hear it again. While Polar: The Titanic Bear gives an honest account of the sinking, it also weaves in a touching tale about a boy and his beloved "stuffy". Educational and heartwarming.
Having found similar treasures in our family's memorabilia, we connected with the background of this author. This book along with a stuffed polar bear with handmade sailor outfit was a gift to our son and will remain a family keepsake. We absolutely adore this story.
I have not had the opportunity to read this book, but it is about the tragic Titanic historical happening through the eyes of a stuffed animal. This would be great to use as an introduction to a history lesson on the Titanic within one's classroom.
I really enjoyed this book because when it was told through the eyes of the Polar bear it was different than any other reading of the Titanic I've seen. This book innocently describes the effects of the Titanic sinking on a rich family.
A beautifully told non-fiction children's book. I was a tad too old for the target audience when I found this book, but I read it and fell in-love nonetheless. I am definitely going to be buying this book for my collection.
Touching story from the Bear's point of view about a boy and his family who survived the Titanic disaster. A reflection of a wealthy Edwardian lifestyle...charmingly done, and written by the boy's mother.
This is a glimpse into the life of the wealthy who were able to travel and take their children to many places. It follows the life of one child, who was an only child.
An interesting Titanic story for younger readers based on family history. Illustrations include family and archival photographs.
Not really sure how to rate this book. I LOVE all things about the Titanic, so I was excited to read this to my son when he brought it home from school. But, he doesn't know anything about the Titanic and I think was a bit worried by seeing the ship sinking in the book! For older kids, I think it would be a great book - lots of references to the way things were back then, and both in the beginning and back of the book there is a lot of information. I loved, though, that there were actual picture...more
This bookhas enough information to work on for one week. You could link this to a Social Studies lesson.
Cute book, filled with history of the Titanic from a teddy bear's perspective
While poking through items stored in an old attic, Leighton Coleman found a little journal written by his relative, Daisy Spedden, to her young son, Douglas. The story is about Douglas and his bear named Polar. Polar traveled the world with the wealthy Spedden family. Polar recounts their adventures which include their ill fated voyage on and rescue from the Titanic. This charming little book includes photos from the Spedding family album as well as watercolor drawings which give the reader a gl...more
January book club book for my students. Great little story.
This was my favorite book when I was little! <3
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