The Polar Bear Son: An Inuit Tale Paperback – Picture Book, March 29, 1999

I am not a child. I did not read this book to a child. I am a senior citizen who thoroughly enjoyed, even loved, this delicate wonder of an Inuit tale retold with great and simple skill by Lydia Dabcovich. I am even more impressed with this talented author when I note that she also is the book's illustrator. The fascinating illustrations of a world unknown to many of us who live in warmer climes are in muted pastels, most effective in capturing a world of sea and ice.The story is also very moving because it is about an old lady with no family who lives alone. Until she comes across a polar bear orphan, she struggles to survive and can only do so by at times having to accept food offerings from her fellow villagers. She herself lives on the village outskirts in a small hut.I do not want to give away the contents of the story, so spoiling the surprise element, but I will state that the denouement is a happy one. So when threatening events are described from time to time, don't fret! All goes well.I read this book on the heels of reading another wonderful tale for children and adult-children, "Lemon the Duck," also beautifully illustrated. When I finished that book, I felt that I would never find an equal in quality and true enjoyment. But I certainly have in this delightful, lovely rendition of a timeless tale.

I bought this for my 3-year-old grandson's birthday. I always read every book I send him very carefully, as I'm a poet and a visual artist, and also know his interests. If the book speaks to me, it often is one he enjoys. Inuit art and life ways are a specific area of my interests and studies, and when I learned that my grandson had enjoyed another book about Inuit life, I thought highly of this one when it arrived and I read it, several times, and have been told he likes it very much ;-) The illustrations are beautiful, and the content of the folktale and its telling are accurate and profound--a tale of reciprocity and compassion, of human jealousy and greed, and the wisdom that ultimately prevails by living in balance with all life.

This book is great. My 2&1/2 and 5 year old grandsons love it. My sister teaches in a native Alaskan village and from what she tells me of their culture, I think this book does a wonderful job of portraying the native lifestyle. . . . hunting and sharing with each other. Of course, the part about having the polar cub for a son, and calling to it once it has gone back into the wild is fairytale, but then, who doesn't love a good fairytale! Even grandmas love fairytales.

When a friend had a new baby, I bought a gift for the baby and this book for big sister. She loved it and asked for it to be her bedtime book the next few nights.

This book was remarkably captivating. I recommend it to all preschool teachers who want a diverse curriculum. The pictures, the words kept my group engaged through out the whole reading time, and the next day or so when I read it again, I noticed that some remembered it so well they recalled the events of the story. The story in its simplicity says much about the human heart of loving and caring for each other. Life problems in the story showed a positive outcome that leaves an opportunity for discussions and imagination. I read other books during the week, but this one was most received and understood by a mixed age group from 3-5 year. Plus, you cannot beat the price!

To engage my granddaughters and expand their appreciation of diverse regions and diverse cultures.

Wonderful book! Excellent art work, too! I really appreciated the pronunciation guide for the Inuit words ... sure helped when reading it to my grandson! 😊

This is a retelling of an Inuit story with beautiful illustrations. I work in the arctic and have really grown fond of the Inuit culture and I wanted to share that with my daughter. The story is simply told but very enjoyable for my daughter. This is a great resource for teaching children about other cultures and how they utilize stories in similar and different ways. This would make an excellent homeschooling resource or classroom book.

Nice book children enjoyed it

This is a lovely traditional tale but it is for children who are at least five and not for the faint hearted. It pulls no punches. Saying that we enjoyed it and it sparked some good discussions. It has lovely illustrations too and of course a happy ending!

Vivid pictures bring story alive. suitable for both young and older children. Covers important issues of friendship and love, jealousy and persecution. My 7 year old son asked me to buy story after having it read to him at school. Has enjoyed again and again. Highly recommend.

My granddaughters really enjoyed this story and lots of moral messages were engrained in it.

a very welcom xmas present