Baby Polar Bear, written by Aubrey Lang with photos by Wayne Lynch. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2008. $7,95 ages 4 and up

"The polar bear is a strong swimmer. Her front paws are the size of dinner plates, and they make perfect paddles. She has a long neck, so it is easy to keep her head above the water. The fat under her skin helps her stay warm. Her furry feet are like a pair of warm slippers. When she walks on the ice, her sharp claws keep her from slipping."

That's the information that this terrific team provides on just one of the pages of this stunning new addition to the Nature Babies series. There are also five detailed and clear photographs of the described polar bear. These books may be perfect fare for young researchers; but, there is so much here to be enjoyed by all ages. The photographs were taken by a skilled and seasoned scientist and assure laughter, awe and admiration for the power and beauty of these polar animals. The photos are very useful when you are working with children and their visual literacy. They provide an abundance of information and you will long remember some of the images shared.

Aubrey Lang, another skilled scientist and writer, has much to tell her readers about these giants of the northern landscape. She talks about their life cycle, their ability to adapt to the Arctic envrionment and their skills at caring for the young, while teaching what they need to know to grow and survive in such a harsh climate. The text reads like a storybook, and readers will become attached to the strong, elegant mother and her playful babies.

The book includes a table of contents and an index, both of which will become useful tools for young readers as they navigate what makes nonfiction special and different from their other reading. A 'did you know?' section adds facts that might surprise both child and adult. For instance, did you know that polar bears do not hibernate? So much to learn, and in such an accessible and enjoyable way.

You will have stories to tell when you have finished this information-packed book, and it begs to be read again. Enjoy! Don't miss out on the others in this exemplary series...there are thirteen others!