The Last Bear

Author:

Hannah Gold

Illustrator:

Levi Pinfold

Published by:

HarperCollins Children's Books

First Published:

6 Jan 2022

Ideal for readers aged

9-12y

My Review

'The Last Bear' was one of the standout books of 2022, winning multiple awards. Hannah Gold has a way of bringing animals and landscape, and emotion to life that make the accolades hardly surprising. Levi Pinfold's illustrations are breathtaking. All in all, it's a very special children's book, and April and her bear, along with the stunning arctic scenery Gold depicts, will live on in children's imaginations long after the last page of this book has been read.

Heads Up!

The sequel to this book, 'Finding Bear', is also featured on this booklist.

Publisher Review

There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost for six months. But one endless summer night, April meets one. He is starving, lonely and a long way from home. Determined to save him, April begins the most important journey of her life . . . This moving story will win the hearts of children the world over and show them that no one is too young or insignificant to make a difference. The Last Bear is a celebration of the love between a child and an animal, a battle cry for our world and an irresistible adventure with a heart as big as a bear’s.