A POLAR BEAR IN THE SNOW by Mac Barnett
Recipient of the 2021 Bull-Bransom Award, which is given annually by the National Museum of Wildlife Art to recognize excellence in the field of children’s book illustration with a focus on nature and wildlife.
Follow a magnificent polar bear through a fantastic world of snow and shockingly blue sea. Over the ice, through the water, past Arctic animals and even a human . . . where is he going? What does he want?
A Chicago Public Library, New York Public Library, and Amazon Best Book of 2020.
★ “Mesmerizing.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
★ “A winning must.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
★ “Perfect.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review
★ “Succinct... yet sophisticated.” —Booklist, Starred Review
“An understated, reflective, and loving portrayal that also serves as a celebration of wonder and wandering.” —The Horn Book Magazine
“Starkly beautiful and clever.” —Inis Magazine
“This is a frosty little whimsy with enough of an edge, between the hint at reality for the seals and the bear’s snarl at a human interloper, to be interesting, and Barnett deftly wields a tidy, P. D. Eastman—esque structure that immediately attracts listeners. The book’s opening visuals draw on the titular joke, with the bear’s black nose and eyes gradually emerging out of solid whiteness, but the art soon resolves into endearingly casual cut and torn paper collage. Layers of rough, grainy paper create snowdrifts as well as simply cut creatures, and touches of shadow and black pigment are almost the only contrast until the bear goes into a literal deep dive and everything, including the bear himself, turns into an inviting sky blue.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Available wherever books are sold. Here, for instance, or from outside the US, here.
I’ve also teamed up with my local indie bookshop, Ink Spell Books to offer signed and personalized copies of my books (yes, I will doodle anything you request in your book). When checking out, in the order comments section, include who you’d like your books signed to, and if you have a special message or doodle request for me to draw in them.