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Nature Storybooks
Ice Bear: In the Steps of the Polar Bear: Read and Wonder
Follow the path of the awe-inspiring polar bear as it strives to survive in an age-old Arctic habitat threatened by global warming.
Huge, magnificent, and solitary, a polar bear moves through the frozen Arctic. Powerful hunter, tireless swimmer, tender mother, gentle playmate — she is superbly adapted for surviving, even thriving, in this harsh and icy climate. Written in poetic language interspersed with fascinating facts, Nicola Davies' breathtaking tale of this massive, stark white animal is brought to life in striking paintings by Gary Blythe. Just as the Inuit people have watched and learned from this amazing creature for generations, readers are invited to witness the majesty of Ice Bear. Back matter includes a note about polar bears and an index.
Huge, magnificent, and solitary, a polar bear moves through the frozen Arctic. Powerful hunter, tireless swimmer, tender mother, gentle playmate — she is superbly adapted for surviving, even thriving, in this harsh and icy climate. Written in poetic language interspersed with fascinating facts, Nicola Davies' breathtaking tale of this massive, stark white animal is brought to life in striking paintings by Gary Blythe. Just as the Inuit people have watched and learned from this amazing creature for generations, readers are invited to witness the majesty of Ice Bear. Back matter includes a note about polar bears and an index.
32 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2005
2 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Davies
173 books185 followers"I was very small when I saw my first dolphin," says zoologist Nicola Davies, recalling a seminal visit with her father to a dolphin show at the zoo. Enchanted at the sight of what she called the "big fish" jumping so high and swimming so fast, she determined right then that she would meet the amazing creatures again "in the wild, where they belonged." And indeed she did--as part of a pair of scientific expeditions, one to Newfoundland at the age of eighteen and another to the Indian Ocean a year later. In WILD ABOUT DOLPHINS, Nicola Davies describes her voyages in a firsthand account filled with fascinating facts and captivating photographs of seven species of dolphins in action.
Nicola Davies's seemingly boundless enthusiasm for studying animals of all kinds has led her around the world--and fortunately for young readers, she is just as excited about sharing her interests through picture books. The zoologist's latest offering puts a decidedly quirky twist on her years of experience: POOP: A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE UNMENTIONABLE is a fun, fact-filled guide to the fascinating world of poop across species. "As a zoologist, you are never far from poop!" the writer explains. "I've baked goose poop in an oven with my dinner, looked at bat poop under the microscope, and had my T-shirt stained pink with blue-whale poop. I was obviously fated to write this book."
The exceptional combination of Nicola Davies's zoological expertise and her first-rate children's writing is apparent in her remarkable catalog of award-winning titles. Her first book with Candlewick Press, BIG BLUE WHALE, was hailed by American Bookseller as an "artfully composed study" offering "language exactly appropriate for four- to seven-year-olds and precisely the right amount of information." In ONE TINY TURTLE, Nicola Davies's clear, compelling narrative follows the life of the rarely seen loggerhead turtle, which swims the oceans for thirty years and for thousands of miles in search of food, only to return, uncannily, to lay her eggs on the very beach where she was born. The author's next book, BAT LOVES THE NIGHT, is a tenderly written ode to a much-misunderstood flying mammal, the pipistrelle bat, while SURPRISING SHARKS--winner of a BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Honor Award--contains unexpected facts about another one of the planet's most infamous animals.
When she is not off on scientific expeditions, Nicola Davies lives in a cottage in Somerset, England, where she is lucky enough to have pipistrelle bats nesting in her roof.
Nicola Davies's seemingly boundless enthusiasm for studying animals of all kinds has led her around the world--and fortunately for young readers, she is just as excited about sharing her interests through picture books. The zoologist's latest offering puts a decidedly quirky twist on her years of experience: POOP: A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE UNMENTIONABLE is a fun, fact-filled guide to the fascinating world of poop across species. "As a zoologist, you are never far from poop!" the writer explains. "I've baked goose poop in an oven with my dinner, looked at bat poop under the microscope, and had my T-shirt stained pink with blue-whale poop. I was obviously fated to write this book."
The exceptional combination of Nicola Davies's zoological expertise and her first-rate children's writing is apparent in her remarkable catalog of award-winning titles. Her first book with Candlewick Press, BIG BLUE WHALE, was hailed by American Bookseller as an "artfully composed study" offering "language exactly appropriate for four- to seven-year-olds and precisely the right amount of information." In ONE TINY TURTLE, Nicola Davies's clear, compelling narrative follows the life of the rarely seen loggerhead turtle, which swims the oceans for thirty years and for thousands of miles in search of food, only to return, uncannily, to lay her eggs on the very beach where she was born. The author's next book, BAT LOVES THE NIGHT, is a tenderly written ode to a much-misunderstood flying mammal, the pipistrelle bat, while SURPRISING SHARKS--winner of a BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Honor Award--contains unexpected facts about another one of the planet's most infamous animals.
When she is not off on scientific expeditions, Nicola Davies lives in a cottage in Somerset, England, where she is lucky enough to have pipistrelle bats nesting in her roof.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 17, 2018
This is a beautifully illustrated and wonderful book all about the polar bear. A little wider and shorter than A4 in size this picture book is filled with glossy and thick pages of some very stunning and beautiful illustrations and text. ‘Ice Bear’ is a non-fiction book which gives kids an introduction to life for the polar bear.
The ‘story’ of the polar bear is told by an unknown Inuit narrator who begins by telling us the Inuit name for the polar bear, before explaining all about this creature and how it lives. The book explains different features of the polar bear such as fascinating facts about its fur coat and the fur itself which I didn’t know. It then goes on to tell us little facts like the size of the polar bear, how far and fast in can run swim and hunt before showing us a bit about how the mothers take care of their young. All of the facts told though are explained in a very simple and easy way to understand with minimal text and are all very interesting.
Although the book is fascinating to just read it’s really the pictures that make you want to look at it. Every double page is filled with a picture or two and they all look like beautiful canvas paintings. I love good artwork but these illustrations almost feel magical and even though most images are various shades of white the pictures are all so beautiful and realistic that I would buy this book for the pictures alone!
The last page of this book has a notes to teachers and parents sections. This is because the book supports Key Stage 1-2 of both Science and English so is a great book to have both at home and in the classroom. What I love more than anything is how simple the book is and at the same time, how engaging. There’s something that just makes me want to look at this book again and again and I can’t help but feel its the beautiful pictures. But at the same time as those pictures are the interesting facts about the bear and it makes learning and becoming interested in this creature much easier. I would have loved this book as a child and think it’s the ideal gift for any kids interested in animals or for those who want to raise awareness of these beautiful creatures.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy
The ‘story’ of the polar bear is told by an unknown Inuit narrator who begins by telling us the Inuit name for the polar bear, before explaining all about this creature and how it lives. The book explains different features of the polar bear such as fascinating facts about its fur coat and the fur itself which I didn’t know. It then goes on to tell us little facts like the size of the polar bear, how far and fast in can run swim and hunt before showing us a bit about how the mothers take care of their young. All of the facts told though are explained in a very simple and easy way to understand with minimal text and are all very interesting.
Although the book is fascinating to just read it’s really the pictures that make you want to look at it. Every double page is filled with a picture or two and they all look like beautiful canvas paintings. I love good artwork but these illustrations almost feel magical and even though most images are various shades of white the pictures are all so beautiful and realistic that I would buy this book for the pictures alone!
The last page of this book has a notes to teachers and parents sections. This is because the book supports Key Stage 1-2 of both Science and English so is a great book to have both at home and in the classroom. What I love more than anything is how simple the book is and at the same time, how engaging. There’s something that just makes me want to look at this book again and again and I can’t help but feel its the beautiful pictures. But at the same time as those pictures are the interesting facts about the bear and it makes learning and becoming interested in this creature much easier. I would have loved this book as a child and think it’s the ideal gift for any kids interested in animals or for those who want to raise awareness of these beautiful creatures.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy
January 3, 2018
The life of a polar bear, told through a series of fun facts and illustrations. You can find this book as a part of the Nature Storybooks Collection, and whilst it does an excellent job of piecing together some wonderful polar bear facts to help imagine what being a polar bear is like, the illustrations are not very engaging or appealing which makes it hard to keep small readers interested.
Each page is filled with an entire illustration and a small piece of text detailing something about these bears, from why they look white, how they retain heat in such a cold environment, to what they eat and how many cubs they have. This isn't told in the usual rhyming lilt of a standard picture book, but does still flow as a story so makes learning quite easy for young readers.
The illustrations are almost a little blurry, making it difficult to enjoy the detail of the animals - it's also quite difficult to focus on the illustrations for too long because they're quite flat and unappealing; it's like looking at the TV without your glasses on if you're old like me! Compared to similar educational picture books of this nature, it's a little disappointing.
Despite this, a good educational text with the inclusion of a small section about global warming and how to protect the bears at the very end - an important piece to include for young readers. Sadly just disappointing illustrations.
ARC provided free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Each page is filled with an entire illustration and a small piece of text detailing something about these bears, from why they look white, how they retain heat in such a cold environment, to what they eat and how many cubs they have. This isn't told in the usual rhyming lilt of a standard picture book, but does still flow as a story so makes learning quite easy for young readers.
The illustrations are almost a little blurry, making it difficult to enjoy the detail of the animals - it's also quite difficult to focus on the illustrations for too long because they're quite flat and unappealing; it's like looking at the TV without your glasses on if you're old like me! Compared to similar educational picture books of this nature, it's a little disappointing.
Despite this, a good educational text with the inclusion of a small section about global warming and how to protect the bears at the very end - an important piece to include for young readers. Sadly just disappointing illustrations.
ARC provided free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2018
This book is a descriptive book about polar bears. It describes how they stay warm, how the eat, and how they live on a day-to-day basis. It includes the appreciation and love of the polar bear from the Inuit peoples’ perspective.
I liked this book. It’s very informative but still doesn’t use a lot of difficult words. The illustrations are very beautiful and detailed.
I think this book would be great for any student who has a love for animals. God designed animals perfectly for the environment He places them in and I think it’s so cool to learn all those little details.
I liked this book. It’s very informative but still doesn’t use a lot of difficult words. The illustrations are very beautiful and detailed.
I think this book would be great for any student who has a love for animals. God designed animals perfectly for the environment He places them in and I think it’s so cool to learn all those little details.
October 11, 2023
Our Trusty Goodreads Blurber got it right:
"Follow the path of the awe-inspiring polar bear as it strives to survive in an age-old Arctic habitat threatened by global warming."
Expect inspiration from this story of survival which is clearly nonfiction. All the details of natural history are vivid, yet simply explained.
Especially lovely is the ending. (Though no spoiler from me, no no.)
FIVE STAR thanks to superb picture book author Nicola Davies and superb illustrator Gary Blythe.
"Follow the path of the awe-inspiring polar bear as it strives to survive in an age-old Arctic habitat threatened by global warming."
Expect inspiration from this story of survival which is clearly nonfiction. All the details of natural history are vivid, yet simply explained.
Especially lovely is the ending. (Though no spoiler from me, no no.)
FIVE STAR thanks to superb picture book author Nicola Davies and superb illustrator Gary Blythe.
November 29, 2018
A beautiful story told from the perspective of an unknown Inuit character, detailing the life and habits of polar bears. This is a story which is also factual, including facts about polar bears on each page - an excellent way to introduce children to a wider subject knowledge through the medium of story telling.
March 1, 2021
Nice illustrations and some interesting information about polar bears, but I didn’t feel entirely comfortable with the way the book is sort of unnecessarily written from an Inuit perspective by a presumably non-Inuit author, and I also found it difficult at times to read the two separate chains of text.
February 21, 2018
This is an absolutely beautiful and engrossing nonfiction book. The art and the text design are so interesting. This would be thoroughly enjoyed by older children (middle grades) for whom it could serve as a mentor text.
October 1, 2022
I love non fiction Nature books & this is really a top class production. So many fascinating facts; I just learnt that the polar bear has black skin under his white fur! Who knew? We had the CD version with Stephen Tompkinson narrating with finesse.
July 25, 2019
Beautiful and informative
October 15, 2019
Beautiful, intense, atmospheric picture book. (If this were a nonfiction-catalogued book published today, I doubt it would be framed first-person from the Inuit people.)
February 4, 2021
Beautiful rustic illustrations. Filled with lots of beautiful facts about polar bears that are engaging.
September 30, 2023
Fall Challenge 2023
January 28, 2025
Very well written and illustrated book about the life of a polar bear. Used in a homeschool library group and the children enjoyed the book a lot!
April 11, 2025
What a lovely respectful and beautifully illustrated book.
Well said…”Inuit and polar bears are the twin masters of Arctic living.”
December 9, 2019
A really great living book about polar bears.
November 30, 2016
Suitable mainly for 4-8 year olds this book nicely balances itself between fiction and non-fiction being a factual account of the life of an ice bear (polar bear or nanuk) written in a narrative style. The pictures are detailed and sensitive bringing us into the world of the bear and un-othering another species. When I read to children I find the insertion of facts into the text unhelpful and interruptive, but if i skip them it reads well and I guess older, more independent readers might gain something from them (if nothing else a beginning of appreciation for genre and the differences between fiction and non-fiction).
In the facts there is some acknowledgement of the conservation and sustainability issues aroun the survival of this beautiful species and within the text there is a post-colonial acknowledgement of the Inuit people (also battling to survive).
Finally the contrasts between the huge and super-strong bear and the gentleness of the nurture between mother and cub and the wholistic connecting between the Inuit and the nanuk, along with the passing seasons. Aaaah what a beautiful book!
In the facts there is some acknowledgement of the conservation and sustainability issues aroun the survival of this beautiful species and within the text there is a post-colonial acknowledgement of the Inuit people (also battling to survive).
Finally the contrasts between the huge and super-strong bear and the gentleness of the nurture between mother and cub and the wholistic connecting between the Inuit and the nanuk, along with the passing seasons. Aaaah what a beautiful book!
December 8, 2015
Ice Bear: In the Steps of the Polar Bear is written by Nicoloa Davies and is illustrated by Gary Blythe. The illustrations help the book so much because of all the pastel colors that they end up using. The book has a ton of different colors in it like the sunset and the ocean are varied with colors of blue and orange. This is more of an informational book than anything because it is not giving you too much information is gives you enough information that is good. I would actually use this book in the classroom for so many reasons. One because it could be a seasonal book that you bring out only during the winter or when it first starts to snow. Or it could be added to a Christmas theme which is what I was thinking the most, this book and the polar express would most likely lead to a study of the artic and how they survive there. I would highly recommend this book for the educational purposes.
March 23, 2010
This book is a non-fiction picture book about the lives of polar bears. The illustrations are beautiful and it contains a ton of information on polar bears. Each page contains part of the "story" and also includes facts about polar bears. At the end is a page breifly describing how polar bears are endagered and simple tips on what we can do to help.
This book could be used as a read-aloud for a K-4 class, but the activities/discussions would vary greatly depending on the age range. For the younger children, I would have a class discussion and make a list of a few more ways we could help with global warming. For the older students, I would have them write a letter to a longer legislator urging them to help protect an endagered animal of their choice, or to do more to help prevent global warming.
This book could be used as a read-aloud for a K-4 class, but the activities/discussions would vary greatly depending on the age range. For the younger children, I would have a class discussion and make a list of a few more ways we could help with global warming. For the older students, I would have them write a letter to a longer legislator urging them to help protect an endagered animal of their choice, or to do more to help prevent global warming.
August 24, 2013
A wonderful book that tells just enough details about the polar bear to teach children something new yet not so dense with info that it loses that picture-book feel. Beautiful illustrations complement this text.
January 24, 2015
Great nonfiction book that reads like a picture book. There are smaller font sentences on the page that give more detailed facts about the polar bears for a more in depth read.
Good for preschool storytimes.
Good for preschool storytimes.
March 9, 2015
This book is a good choice to learn about Polar Bears and we could help stop animals extinction and stop the global warming. I recommend this book because it have at the end of the book a page talking about what are the main things that we can do to stop global warming and animals extinction.
February 24, 2012
Love this series and Nicola Davies is such an amazing author of the information story book. My students were spellbound listening to this story and it inspired many questions.
January 7, 2016
Really well-written and interesting!
June 9, 2016
This is a great non-fiction picture book about polar bears. We read it to complement our history lesson about the Northern Native Americans in North America.
December 16, 2016
Factual picture book about polar bears.
January 18, 2020
Excellent Polar Bear facts for children of all ages. Captivating, beautiful and engaging illustrations which helps in visualizing the setting.
September 22, 2014
This one was really good. Lyrical, beautiful and enchanting for young readers
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews