I spotted this book on the Instagram grid as December drew to a close and I remembered that ‘The Last Bear’ by Hannah Gold was in fact sitting on my shelf. So, I decided that, as the festive break was upon us, I would give this book a read, as it has a clear wintery feel.
This is a book that I certainly wish had been on the shelves when I was a child. I read lots of stories with animals in them and the Sophie books by Dick King-Smith are the ones I really remember about the relationships between animals and people (along with a strong female lead character).
‘The Last Bear’ almost feels like a step up from this: a modern, strong girl story and an exploration of the relationship between humans and nature. April moves to the Arctic with her father. He is there to study the weather, she is there for the adventure that he promises her. But, as April’s father gets sucked into his work, just as he did in England, April makes a discovery – that bears have not left the island after all.
April forms a friendship with this wonderful polar bear and wants to be able to return him to his family. But will she be successful?
This is such a beautiful book, with the most stunning illustrations by Levi Pinfold to support in bringing the wonderful writing of Hannah Gold to life. It is a story that tackles so many important issues with such sensitivity, but without making any issue less important than the other. April’s grief at losing her mother at such a young age, but also the impact that this has on April’s father are central to the story. This is also reflected in the desire April has to ensure that Bear is not alone and should be able to return to his family. But, also, I think we are forced to think about our world: are we ensuring that it is a world that will be here for future generations?
This is a book that has won awards, been shortlisted for awards and applauded by so many readers. And rightly so! This is also a book that reminds adults that it is okay to read children’s books. They have something to teach us, they give us something to think about, and they open a whole other world to us. I do not think there is any harm in remembering to be young at heart with our reading from time to time; any reading is important and maybe this is a book that could get you back into reading, or get someone you know back into reading.