Ice Bear
#1 in Read and Wonder, Nature Storybooks Series
What’s inside...
In 'Ice Bear', Nicola Davies introduces young readers to the life of polar bears in the Arctic. The book follows the journey of a mother bear and her cubs as they navigate the challenges posed by their melting habitat. Through this story, children learn about the importance of conservation and the impact of environmental changes on wildlife. The book is also a vibrant part of a book-and-CD series that brings nature stories to life with read-aloud sound effects, fascinating facts, and read-along prompts. Written in poetic language with striking paintings by Gary Blythe, the tale of the magnificent polar bear is portrayed as a powerful hunter, tireless swimmer, tender mother, and gentle playmate, superbly adapted to thrive in the harsh Arctic climate. Back matter includes a note about polar bears and an index.
Character compass
Mother Polar Bear
Discussion points
What do you think it’s like to live in the Arctic like the ice bear?
How do you think the ice bear feels when it’s hunting for food?
What can we do to help protect the homes of ice bears?
Why is it important for ice bears to have a large area to roam?
How do ice bears communicate with each other and why is that important?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine living in the Arctic environment, discussing both the challenges and the beauty found there.
Discuss the importance of empathy by asking how they would feel in the ice bear’s situations, fostering a deeper understanding of the animal’s life.
Highlight the environmental message by talking about climate change and its effect on habitats, making it relevant to the ice bear’s story.
Ask your child to compare their daily life to that of an ice bear, promoting critical thinking about different species and lifestyles.
Promote research skills by encouraging your child to find out more about Arctic wildlife and how they can help in conservation efforts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: Ice Bear delves into the lives of polar bears, depicting their natural habitat and the challenges they face due to environmental changes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and care for the environment, understanding the impact of their actions on wildlife.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: The story showcases how the polar bear adapts to its harsh Arctic environment, finding food and shelter to survive.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children the importance of being flexible and adapting to new situations, whether it be at school or in changing social settings.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Nicola Davies paints a vivid picture of the polar bear's life, encouraging readers to empathize with the animal’s struggles and triumphs.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to understand and share the feelings of others, fostering a sense of empathy that can translate into kinder behavior towards both animals and people.
Example Lesson: Importance of biodiversity
Explanation: The book illustrates how polar bears play a crucial role in their ecosystem, affecting many other organisms around them.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the significance of every species and encourage efforts to preserve diverse biological landscapes.