Bear Rescue by Hannah Gold & Levi Pinfold

This delightful short novella is the prefect introduction for younger readers to Hannah Gold’s compelling Bear series books - The Last Bear and Finding Bear as well as the stand alone book, The Lone Husky.

In Bear Rescue, all of the important characters come together to celebrate April’s father’s birthday. Living on Svalbard, a small icy island in the middle of the Arctic, April and her family, now including Maria and baby August, are close to their friends, Hedda, Tor and Jurgen. They all meet together for the birthday celebration at Hedda’s cabin after journeying on a sled pulled by huskies.

April has been tasked with keeping a big secret and helping her father enable it at the birthday party. In the meantime, Bear appears drawn to the peanut butter in April’s birthday cake left outside the cabin in the cold and devours it! When April goes to retrieve it, she can feel Bear’s presence and is overjoyed to see him. However, baby August goes missing and it is up to Bear and April, with help from husky Blaze, to find him in the snowy landscape.

Hannah Gold has once again provided her young readers with a warm and heartfelt adventure that provides so much enjoyment. Her vivid descriptions of the natural snow- covered Arctic world and her gentle introduction to environmental issues encourages children to care deeply about the planet and the creatures who share it.

Themes: Polar Bears, Huskies, Family, Friends, Arctic Life, Snow, Search, Secrets, Trust.

Kathryn Beilby