Beautiful illustrations. The story is a little lacking (how did they find out it was the wolves?) and penguins don't live in the north but it was still super cute.

Cute illustrations, rather thin plot.

I think this was a sweet story of an Eskimo girl who rescued an orphan polar bear. Eventually the town is suspicious that the growing bear is the one raiding the town's collection of fish and the bear is sent away.

The girl is so lonely without her friend bear that she goes to look for him but a storm comes and she is far from home and freezing. The bear then saves her.

The town said wolves were stealing the fish and came boldly to do so because the bear wasn't there to defend the town. The bear was invited to return and the story has a happy ending.

What's not to like?

Firstly, full credit to the beautiful illustrations by Betania Zacarias; her landscapes lend that sense of ice-deserts that make up the arctic and the night skies are lovely to behold but the book is problematic is many areas and I would be interested to know if this is down to the editorial team, translator or author.
The story revolves around a young girl who finds a bear cub, takes him in until he is too old and considered 'dangerous' by the community. It is only when Natuk is saved by her bear that the residents change their mind.
The problems come from the representation of Natuk and her people. Firstly, they are referred to as Eskimos - not an indigenous term and one which I thought had died out a long time ago. Secondly, these people all live in 'pretty' igloos - also factually incorrect and then there's the penguins....with the polar bears...

First, I loved, loved, loved the illustrations by Betania Zacarias. They're sweet and soothing and utterly gorgeous. I also liked the gist of the story. I had two major gripes:
1. The prevalence of people "rescuing" baby animals in the wild--I really hope that Bear was near to death, like in this article.
2. The use of the word "Eskimo"--I really hope that Natuk is actually an Eskimo from Alaska and not an Inuit.
I realize that this is an uber nitpicky review of a completely adorable picture book, but there you go.

Firstly, full credit to the beautiful illustrations by Betania Zacarias; her landscapes lend that sense of ice-deserts that make up the arctic and the night skies are lovely to behold but the book is problematic is many areas and I would be interested to know if this is down to the editorial team, translator or author.
The story revolves around a young girl who finds a bear cub, takes him in until he is too old and considered 'dangerous' by the community. It is only when Natuk is saved by her bear that the residents change their mind.
The problems come from the representation of Natuk and her people. Firstly, they are referred to as Eskimos - not an indigenous term and one which I thought had died out a long time ago. Secondly, these people all live in 'pretty' igloos - also factually incorrect and then there's the penguins....with the polar bears...