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...