If I Had a Polar Bear

by Gabby Dawnay, Alex Barrow (Illustrations)

If I Had a Polar Bear imagines what it would be like to have a polar bear as a pet. It might be an unconventional choice, but it would be sure to give the best bear hugs . . .


Polar bears are cuddly but they’re also very strong. As marine mammals, they can swim for days at a time—that’s serious perseverance! So, if Santa ever needed help delivering his presents, guess who he would call? Join our funny female protagonist as she wonders, “What would life be like . . . if I had a polar bear?”

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 24, 2023

Reviews

[Sonja Charters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect book to read along with your youngsters all through the winter time.

Not just a Christmas story, although there is a touch - this gorgeous book is packed with polar bear facts, told in a beautifully flowing rhyme.

I adore rhyming books because they just roll off the tongue and cry out to be read aloud. Nothing makes me happier than reading a great book to my children at bedtime (when they were much smaller obviously)

I loved that this made a great story but also included so many facts too - so many great reasons for having a polar bear friend - there was lots of opportunity to stop a d discuss these facts with your little one and maybe even delve further and look up some more information online.
Each fact was cleverly linked to a fun activity that kids enjoy.....and there's even the ever popular poop reference too!
This one had me laughing out loud!, so can imagine the littles chortling at this.

I loved the illustrations which were bright and colourful.
They were fairly simple but still have prompts to spot that could encourage interaction, which I love!

A really gorgeous book and a great story - I'm sure that this would be among the favourites that would be requesting over and over again.






PS ....I've just noticed that this is part of a series of similar books with different animals!!!
I now obviously need to collect them all!! 🤩

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl imagines all the amazing things she could do if she had a polar bear as a pet. I liked the beginning where you need to figure out each animal from the picture. And also that the book mentions some true polar bear facts.
Santa does make an appearance with the polar bear helping to pull the sleigh and the family is shown gathered around a Christmas tree. Still a good winter read - with lots of winter activities illustrated. Kids will enjoy the page turn for polar bear poop on the skating rink for sure!

[Lauren Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story with my 4 year old son, Elliot. When I asked him what he liked about the story he said he liked all of it but especially the end where all the boys and girls all had a polar bear each. He laughed out loud at one particular part of the story… 💩🤣.

I really enjoyed reading this story with him and I thought the design and the idea behind the story was fab. I love the hardback cover and the illustration throughout was beautiful and had Elliot engrossed in looking at the detail. A very heartwarming story and captures the fantastic imagination of children! Fab writing! 👏🏻

[MOSS Kids Book Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rhymes! The diverse illustrations! The perfect wintery read-a-loud for story times, classrooms, libraries & even at home. Follow our young protagonist as they convince us how having a polar bear is ESSENTIAL. We had so much fun reading this as a family -- be warned, your child may now wish to put a polar bear on their holiday wishlist!

Note: this book does mention Santa & Christmas.

Thank you Thames&Hudson for an advanced digital copy in exchange for our honest review.

[Kuleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are few read-alouds I love more than a book that rhymes! When I opened this book my 5-year-old immediately wanted to read it. We spent a lot of time discussing what life would be like if she had a polar bear as a pet! This book is a great addition to any winter/Christmas book collection. I loved the bold, colorful illustrations and diverse character representation. Every scene shows people of different ages, sizes, and colors.

Thank you to Thames & Hudson for the review copy!

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our beloved yellow-capped girl is back, wishing for a polar bear this time! Barrow and Dawnay are amazing, keeping the series fresh and exciting. If I had a Polar Bear is both novel and just as delightful as the others in the series. Fans will not be disappointed - from the smooth rhymes to the scatological humor to the perfect final illustrations, Polar Bear is an excellent addition to the If I had a... collection! I can't wait to see what they come up with next

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really adorable and cute book about a boy and why he would love to have a polar bear in his life. From being able to go to school if it snows to fishing to cuddles and sweaters to much more. I loved that we also learned about polar bears (nothing new for me) as we read on, that is sure a treat for the little ones. The art is very cute!

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

IF I HAD A POLAR BEAR is an adorable addition to this fun series full of imagination and animals. This one has a Christmas element that makes it a fun story to share during the holidays although it's a fun polar book as well.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rhyming story, beautifully illustrated. The first two pages are a treat with pictures in place of a word for some of the sentences. I was so delighted by my youngest being able to join in reading aloud in this way I was disappointed when it didn’t continue throughout.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and funny rhyming story, beautifully illustrated by Alex Barrow. It was a nice touch that the polar bear is a ‘she’ and that skin tones of the characters reflect our wide world.
A book where the words and pictures beautifully expand the power of the imagination, and touch the heart.

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

adorbs and funny and great illustrations

[Fatima Seraj Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is amazing. In this book, we learn facts about polar bear and how it would be to have one as a pet.

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you discovered the If I Had A... series? If not it is one I highly recommend, light-hearted, funny, silly really and a visual delight it now has (with this one) eight titles. There is a crocodile, a vampire bat, an octopus, kangaroo, unicorn, sloth and dinosaur but for today we are going to enjoy If I Had A Polar Bear by Gabby Dawnay and Alex Barrow.

If you were to have a pet would a stag or a walrus be right or would it be better if it was a polar bear? Words and pictures interact as we navigate these choices. Once the little girl who is looking for her pet of choice has decided on her polar bear she shares with us all the reasons why it is a good choice - hairy and strong and able to carry her to school; able to teach her to swim and skate too. Let's not forget the cuddles it could give but there are a few additional bonus too that I will leave you to discover so that you too can decide what it would be like iy you. had a polar bear.