The Last Bear

What do our readers think of The Last Bear? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children love the friendship between April and Bear, the exciting Arctic setting and the story’s strong feelings. They also find the book moving, with some children saying that its sadder moments stay with them.

What does the Pageticker team say about The Last Bear?

The Last Bear is a firm favourite amongst the Pageticker team. April is a really strong character, who stands up for what she believes in. Although she feels lonely and knows that she's breaking rules and raids their own limited food supplies, she's determined to save Bear. She knows that if she doesn't intervene that he'll die. Somehow, the author Hannah Gold, manages to show Bear's majesty as an enormous polar bear but also his relatability through his love of peanut butter. This is a really great choice for children 8+ who will love the friendship between April and Bear. They will admire April's strength of character and might relate to her feelings of loneliness. One thing worth knowing, is that April's mother has passed away, which is mentioned later on in the book. We'd recommend keeping this in mind if your child has experienced something similar.

Genres

What is The Last Bear about?

When April moves to remote Bear Island with her scientist father, she never expects to meet a real polar bear. But when she discovers a lonely, hungry bear, April is determined to help him find his way home. This heartwarming adventure shows that even one young person can make a big difference for animals and the planet. Filled with beautiful illustrations, The Last Bear is an unforgettable tale of friendship, courage, and hope.

About the author

Hannah Gold is a British author who loves writing exciting stories about animals and the natural world. She is best known for her award-winning book 'The Last Bear', which tells the adventure of a girl and a polar bear. Hannah enjoys exploring nature and hopes her stories inspire children to care for our planet and its creatures.

Discussion ideas around The Last Bear

April’s courage: April is young, but she still chooses to act when Bear needs help. What does this tell you about the type of person April is?

Friendship across differences: April and Bear cannot speak the same language, how do they learn to understand each other?

Family and feelings: How does April’s relationship with her father change during the story?

A changing Arctic: The story shows how changes to the planet affect animals such as polar bears. What can you do to make a difference to the planet?

One person can make a difference: April sometimes feels as though she is too young or too small to change anything. What does the story suggest about the power of one determined person?