Description
When a mother and daughter find a polar bear cub alone on the sea ice, the daughter cannot bear to leave it behind. Finding no mother bear in sight, the two adopt the cub and raise it as the girl’s brother.
The cub and the girl become fast friends—even if the cub’s bear sense of smell always means he wins at hide-and-seek! The cub hunts for the community, and they never want for food. But the cub continues to grow, and eventually he is no longer a fuzzy little cub, but a powerful full-grown bear. Some in the community become fearful of the bear, but the girl and her mother love him just the same.
That is, until one day, the bear returns from a hunt with another bear by his side. The mother soon learns that they need to let the cub go, in order for him to live the happy life they want for him.
Review Quotes
Adopting a lost animal and caring for it until care is no longer necessary is a story for all times. Here, a polar bear and an Arctic landscape may make this story unique, but its premise is grounded in the authenticity of compassion for those in need and dictated only by the one most affected. It is a lesson in selflessness and benevolence and a true reflection of the graciousness of Inuit values.
This story draws the reader in, and the illustrations throughout the book paint a vibrant and beautiful Arctic landscape for all to enjoy. This story is full of authentic compassion for those in need. It serves as a valuable lesson in kindness, love, and the importance of saying goodbye when the time has come and doing what is right. This is a beautiful story to share with children.
— Books BC - Indigenous Books for SchoolsBiographical note
Jaypeetee Arnakak is a linguist, translator, and educator. He spent many years as a policy analyst specializing in Inuit culture, language and education issues. He is the editor of Unikkaaqtuat Qikiqtaninngaaqtut, a collection of thirty-three versions of traditional stories, transcribed and edited from oral recordings of ten Inuit elders from two High Arctic communities, Arctic Bay and Igloolik. He has also adapted several traditional Inuit stories into children's storybooks.
Dayna B. Griffiths is a multidisciplinary artist and designer with a passion for visual storytelling and problem-solving. She works primarily in the animation industry, on children’s programming, and finds joy in collaborating to develop imagery that supports a meaningful narrative. Dayna has spent her life creating in many mediums, but always feels most satisfied with a brush in hand, whether it's for ink or paint. She is based in Toronto, Ontario.
