Little Polar Bear and the Husky Pup

Kleine IJsbeer

by Hans de Beer, Rosemary Lanning (Translation)

One day Lars, the Little Polar Bear, rescues a husky puppy from a deep crack in the ice. Instead of thanking Lars, the puppy snarls and yaps at him. Disgusted, Lars heads off toward the sea. The little dog follows him and soon finds himself in trouble again -- stranded on a floating piece of ice. ""Please don't leave me!"" he calls to Lars. ""I'm hungry and I want my mother!"" So once again, it's Lars to the rescue. But can he get the impetuous pup back safely to the rest of the husky team? Fans of Lars's earlier adventures will welcome him back in this new story, and those meeting him for the first time will be won over by Hans de Beer's beguiling hero.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, German Literature, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Hans de Beer was born in Muiden, a small town near Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. He began to draw when he went to school, mostly when the lessons got too boring. In college, he studied history, but he was drawing so many pictures during the lectures that he decided to become an artist. He went on to study illustration at the Rietveld Academy of Art in Amsterdam. Hans de Beer's Little Polar Bear books enjoy great international success and have been published in eighteen languages in 27 countries.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a simple little story about friendship with some cute illustrations. I just wasn’t very impressed with the overall style of writing. It didn’t have enough of a polished feel for me. Sweet enough to enjoy, though! A child could learn a few lessons in being kind and considerate from the little cub and pup in this story.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Lars the little polar bear ventures too close to an igloo in this sixth picture-book devoted to his adventures, he finds himself being scared away by the sled-dogs outside. A little later he rescues a husky puppy named Floe, and the two set out to return him (Floe) to his family. After some initial misadventures involving a snowstorm, a kayaking trip, and Floe's irrepressible desire to steal sausages, they finally succeed, and the book closes as Lars is restored to his family, having made yet another cross-species friend...

Originally published in Switzerland as Kleiner Eisbär lass mich nicht allein! (literally: "Little Polar Bear, Don't Leave Me Alone!"), Little Polar Bear and the Husky Pup pairs a gentle, warmhearted tale with appealing artwork. Young readers and listeners will probably appreciate Floe's impulsive nature, and identify with his inability to control his impulses, while older readers will just appreciate the humorous situations created by that impulsivity. Recommended to fans of the Little Polar Bear books, and to anyone looking for picture-books about unlikely friendships.

[Melissa Sommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was another great book about how strangers became best friends. The little polar bear and the husky pup help each other through tough times and teach each other new things. I think the kids will love to read about two baby animals being friends. I thought the ending was really sweet as well.

[Camie · Rating 4 out of 5]

To accompany stuffed Husky dog ( family has one) as gift.

[Kalynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cute story of a young polar bear that loves to explore and help those along the way. One aspect that I enjoyed most about this story is the second chance that Lars gave the small husky, and the loyalty that the small husky offered Lars.

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Cute and lively illustrations and a nice story to accompany it.

Apparently, there is a whole series that features Little Polar Bear.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lars, the little polar bear, finds adventure when he rescues a husky puppy trapped in a deep crack in the ice, and helps return him back to his sled team, and mother.

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending was sweet but other than that I didn't enjoy this. But hey, it's for kids.

[Jelka · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25*

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Jed & Jules loved it.

[Christine Fischer]

one of my favorite children's book illustrators

[Elgyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hezké ilustrace.

[české vydání, Lední medvídek : nenechávej mě samotného, Larsi!]

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading children's books, but especially when they are received by my four-year-old niece as gifts. She is a book lover like I am, and we enjoy spending that reading time together.

[boeken lezen (en onthouden) · Rating 3 out of 5]

schattig

[Kiana Gerard · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations and the text was all created by the author, Hans de Beer. The colors of the illustrations depend on the mood of the story. When the mood is happy and adventurous, the colors of the illustrations are bright white and other vivd colors. When the plot tone tuns dismal, the colors change to dark charcoal looking colors. The text is a narrative with no rhyme or pattern. Each page is a paragraph long that emerges from the illustrations.

In the plot of the story, a polar bear named Lars discovers a lost husky puppy and helps the pup to find his parents in the city with the big river. Hans de Beer reveals hidden morals in most of his books he writes. In Little Polar Bear and the Husky Pup, he gives his readers a lesson on helping others and to always return the favor when there's a chance. The Little Polar Bear saves the Husky Pup from the ice crack and in return, the Pup growls and chases Lars, as if Lars were prey. Hans de Beers also shows a moral about having gratitude towards others who help you. After getting stranded on an ice block, Lars helps the Husky Pup once more. This time, instead of growling and chasing the polar bear, the Pup appreciates the polar bear's help when he was in need.

My mom used to read me this book when I was younger and I love it! Back then, I didn't understand the the overall plot of the book. Now reading this book again made me realize that the author's intention is not all that clear to younger children. Maybe if the child was five or older, but I don't think younger children would be able to understand the plot the first time reading. Other than that, it was such a sweet and cute book to read. It helps children engage in reading and make new friends!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I volunteered recently at our oldest daughter's third-grade classroom and stayed for Partner read time. My oldest picked this book and we read with two of her classmates (it's supposed to only be two people in a group, but hey, I'm popular.) We listened to each other read and discussed the stories.

This was an entertaining book about a poor little puppy who is separated from his family. Our oldest loves huskies, so this was a particular favorite tale for her. We all enjoyed reading this story together.

We've read a few of the books in the Lars the Little Polar Bear series by Hans de Beer and I'm sure we'll look for more at our local library.

[Taylor]

I think I would like to read this book because it looks like a type of book that you can curl up on the couch and drink hot chocolate and just relax, unless it has the polar bear killing the puppy, but if the puppy and the polar bear are great friends, then.. maybe I will get even more hot chocolate....
So... If you read it I hope you like it....

Thanks!!!!!!

[Jody · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea behind this is great, but I don't feel it was executed all that well. It's a cute story about mismatched friends, but I found the language a little clunky & overly formal at times. The dialogue from the polar bear & the husky pup felt stilted and unnatural.

[Pamela Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about a sled dog who gets separated from his team and has to rely on a polar bear to take him home.