Seventeen months after leaving the Arctic - after she had established a profound bond with the trapped polar bear she found wasting away - April is having difficulty settling into "normal" life, as she is bullied at school, and is unable to understand why people don't care about the climate crisis and the plight of the polar bears. She lives in an almost constant state of yearning to return to the Arctic circle and her beloved Bear.

I thoroughly enjoyed Hannah Gold's first book in this series - Finding Bear - and was more than excited when I heard there would be a sequel. As a fellow Arctic fanatic, I wanted to follow up on April's previous adventures with Bear - a polar bear she helped rescue in the first book. I love these book and the focus on his humans are impacting the natural world, I love the artic landscape and getting to meet the polar bears again. I did initially have some frustration with the character of April who seemed hell bent on ignoring all the safety protocols and putting herself constantly in danger. I loved seeing bear and peanut and the relationship April has with bear. I loved going on another artic adventure and the discussion this book promotes with climate change, nature conservation and human impact is huge and so vital.

Through April’s journey, author Hannah Gold takes us to a “complete, unfiltered wilderness” — through glaciers, fjords and ice caves, a scape made even more dangerous from the scars of human activity. Oh, I love these two and the bond they both share. It’s now even more loveable with the introduction of cute, full of fun and mischief Peanut. Hannah Gold’s writing style is so fantastic that it captivates you to such an extent you feel every breath, every wind blow, the coldness around you, the vastness of the Arctic and even down to the feel of Bears fur against your skin. The fantastic and mesmerising images drawn so beautifully by Levi just add to the magic of the whole book. When April hears that a polar bear has been shot and injured in Svalbard, she’s convinced it’s her friend and persuades her dad to travel with her to the northernmost reaches of the Arctic. So begins an unforgettable journey across frozen tundra and icy glaciers. When Hannah Gold’s The Last Bear was published, I think it took everyone by surprise with its phenomenal readership. Everyone wanted a copy and now they can all have the sequel which is an equally phenomenal and beautiful story. In case you didn’t read The Last Bear, I suggest you do, here is a brief overview – Bear Island is the setting and despite its name it no longer has any bears, at least no polar bears. That is what April has been told by her father whose scientific research is taking him to this remote Arctic location for six months. But then April meets a polar bear, staving, hungry and a long way from home. April and the bear set out on the most important journey of her life and the story is breath-taking.

I'll be waiting eagerly for the book to be published in September, when I will eagerly be grabbing myself a physical copy and having a look at the illustrations in the book, which will no doubt be stunning! Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold, Finding Bear is a stunning story of survival and hope that reminds us how change is made from the smallest beginnings, and asks how far we are prepared to go to protect what we love. What a beautiful book and so cleverly written. Hannah Gold is a fantastic Author. I haven’t read book one in this series but knew the basic premise of it and do intend to read it also. Stunning illustrations too! Really special. The unmissable follow-up to the phenomenal bestselling and award-winning The Last Bear. Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold and perfect for readers 8+. Aimed at readers 8 and up it is a powerful message about the state of the Arctic, the demise and hunger of the polar bears and the impact of climate change on all creatures in this special part of our world. By weaving these messages into a heartwarming story it opens doors for great conversation and interest into the fate of these wonderful polar bears. We can’t afford to let them go extinct in a book or in reality.

Featured Reviews

When April hears that a polar bear has been shot and injured in Svalbard, she's convinced it's her friend and persuades her dad to travel with her to the northernmost reaches of the Arctic. So begins an unforgettable journey across frozen tundra and icy glaciers. Signed: These independent bookshop exclusive copies are handsigned and dedicated by Blue Peter and Waterstones award-winning author, Hannah Gold, and come with a free limited edition Finding Bear tote bag.

A brilliant, beautiful sequel that resonates with emotional truth. April and Bear's second adventure asks profound questions about our impact on the environment while keeping readers on the edge of their seats. If ever there was a book to spark change, this is it” - Aisling Fowler But along the way, she discovers much more than she bargained for – a tiny polar bear cub, desperately in need of her help. In freezing temperatures, April must navigate the dangerous Arctic terrain and face her deepest fears if she’s to save him. When I first requested Hannah Gold’s middle grade novel, Finding Bear, I didn’t realize that it was a sequel to Gold’s first novel The Last Bear in The Last Bear series. I borrowed The Last Bear from the library and read it in preparation for the second installment, and I really enjoyed both! But your dreams, April. You dream of saving the world. That’s what makes you different. That’s what makes you extraordinary.”As she breathed, she realised something both profound and simple at the same time. She was not just a child. She was made of the stars, the light, the very breath of the universe. And the universe shines bright within us all.” I commend Gold for using storytelling, specifically April Wood’s story, to demonstrate the ways in which April’s experiences demonstrate to readers how climate change (global warming) affects an environment and all living things in that environment. And while April’s friendship with a polar bear which she affectionately names Bear is the fantastical element of this series, April befriends other people (children and adults), who support her not only her dream to live in the Arctic close to Bear but also her mission to fight climate change. This story also touches on a father/daughter relationship after the loss of April’s mother, the relationship she and her father have with other family members, and how April navigates complex relationships with adults when she herself is still a child. In freezing temperatures, April must navigate the dangerous Arctic terrain and face her deepest fears if she's to save him. Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold, Finding Bear is a stunning story of survival and a heartwarming tale of love that shows us how hope is born from the smallest of beginnings. About This Edition ISBN:

The author’s passion for her subject makes for a powerful and memorable reading experience that will certainly not disappoint the many fans of the award-winning The Last Bear, providing a satisfying and credible outcome which leaves you filled with hope for both April and Bear. The perfect blend of adventure and environmental activism, with real emotional depth. April is in England with her father, living near Granny Apples and the coast. She is at school, but she doesn't feel like she belongs. School is difficult. Dad has a new girlfriend Maria; she is April's head teacher! But her life is missing something....Bear. It’s been a year since April Wood’s big adventure on Bear Island and she misses it and her best friend Bear terribly.

The perfect sequel to The Last Bear. Finding Bear melted my heart and had me cheering, crying and of course roaring along with April. She’s a powerhouse main character - one that’ll inspire children for years to come” - A. F. Steadman A triumphant return to April and Bear's world, this time with the loveliest baby bear. A roaringly snowy adventure' Nizrana Farook A triumphant return to April and Bear's world, this time with the loveliest baby bear. A roaringly snowy adventure' Nizrana Farook - Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold, Finding Bear is a stunning story of survival and a heartwarming tale of love that shows us how hope is born from the smallest of beginnings. When April hears that a polar bear has been shot and injured in Svalbard, she’s convinced it’s her friend and persuades her dad to travel with her to the northernmost reaches of the Arctic to find him.