Polar Bears - Hardcover

Rosing, Norbert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1554075998 ISBN 13: 9781554075997

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2010

Synopsis

An essential introduction to the North's most spectacular species.

Polar Bears brings together acclaimed photographer Norbert Rosing's vibrant images and his firsthand knowledge of the Arctic to chronicle a year in the life of the polar bear, the Earth's largest land predator. The book is organized into four sections, spring, summer, fall and winter, each with an introductory essay.

Young readers will learn about tiny newborn cubs, weighing barely 2 pounds, and see them follow their mother across the frozen tundra, playing and learning survival skills as they go. Informative captions describe a polar bear's physical characteristics and how it survives in the bitter Arctic. The book also shows the other animals that share the Far North's breathtaking scenery.

Each year more than 10,000 people travel to remote Churchill, Manitoba, to watch and study polar bears, but the Earth's climate is changing, and the bear's future is in question. At this critical time comes Polar Bears, the perfect introduction to the mighty Nanook from one of its most impassioned advocates.

About this title

About the Author

Norbert Rosing is a frequent visitor to the coastal region of Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, where he photographs polar bears. He has received many awards for his work, is a frequent contributor to National Geographic magazine and is the author of The World of the Polar Bear.

Reviews

Gr 3-6-The author of Face to Face with Polar Bears (National Geographic, 2007) and several other polar-bear books has compiled yet another one. A one-page introduction is followed by a collection of large, eye-catching color photographs with informative captions. The pictures show a cub's first steps outside the den, interactions with its mother, and survival behavior in the Arctic environment. Close-up shots of the animal's fur and feet show its adaptations to cold weather. Food sources and other creatures that live in this habitat are covered in a separate chapter. Back matter includes a list of facts, Internet sites, a map, and a helpful index. The polar bear's endangered status is mentioned but not dwelled on. Readers are shown the beauty of this majestic animal, and they will marvel at the exceptional photos and what they learn from the captions. This book will be a hot item in libraries.-Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Offering close-up views of polar bears in the wild, nature photographer Rosing presents an album of excellent color photos divided into four thematic chapters and accompanied by lengthy, informative captions. The first chapter looks at cubs as they nurse, play, and follow their attentive mothers, journeying across the snow toward the sea ice. Other chapters consider how polar bears’ bodies have adapted to their arctic habitat, what challenges the habitat presents, and which other animals live there. A section of related information about polar bears, a range map, and a short list of recommended Internet sites round out the presentation. While Rosing includes plenty of endearing photos, polar bears are shown as predators as well. A memorable pair of pictures shows a herd of walruses before and after they spot the polar bear behind them. The high quality of the photos and their reproduction will draw many readers to this visually appealing book, which provides plenty of worthwhile information in the captions and back matter. Grades 3-5. --Carolyn Phelan

Edition details

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1554075998
• ISBN 13: 9781554075997
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 56