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The Last Polar Bears
Grandfather is off on an expedition to the North Pole to find the Last Polar Bears and with him goes Roo - a dog of character and strong views. The intrepid explorers set sail on the good ship 'Unsinkable' and embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Eccentric, moving and very funny, their story is told through a series of extraordinary letters.
Eccentric, moving and very funny, their story is told through a series of extraordinary letters.
80 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
24 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Harry Horse
86 books13 followersHarry Horse wrote and illustrated many books for children, including the popular Little Rabbit picture books and the novels The Last Polar Bears, The Last Castaways, The Last Cowboys, and The Last Gold Diggers. He was also a political cartoonist for several national newspapers in the United Kingdom.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 28, 2020
Grandfather had gone to the zoo one hot and sunny afternoon and he had seen a desolate polar bear sat in the shade of a tree; there was a pool for him to swim in but no snow for him to roll in and no icebergs for him to float on. Grandfather knew this was no place for a polar bear so he decided that he would go to the North Pole and see for himself exactly how they lived.
He went to the library, read up about polar bears, studied maps and then packed his things to go on his expedition, which would take him to the Great Bear Ridge, a place he had found on a map in the British Museum. He knew that this would be the place to find the Last Polar Bears! At the last minute he decided to take his dog Roo with him for although she was not a huskie, she told Grandfather that her breed was better than huskies but no-one had ever given them a chance to prove it.
The journey on the ship 'Unsinkable' was traumatic and at one time it looked as though they would not reach their destination. But eventually they landed at Walrus Bay with the town of Walrus close at hand. And in Walrus there was a mailing station where grandfather could send and receive letters. And send them he did for all his adventures are captured in an illustrated series of letters to his grandchild, always beginning 'Dear Child'.
Grandfather is certainly an eccentric character and with Roo playing her part in similar vein the couple embark on a trek to find those Lost Polar Bears. Their encounters with wolves and penguins on the way interfere with their progress and they nearly meet disaster on more than one occasion. But eventually they, complete with one of the penguins they had met for extra company, arrive at Bear Ridge where they built an igloo to protect them from the weather.
And Grandfather's final letter tells the child, 'the polar bears are here ... I can see them with their cubs playing in the snow. I have not spoken to them yet, but I will.' And no doubt he did.
Often amusing 'The Last Polar Bears' is an adventure book with a difference.
He went to the library, read up about polar bears, studied maps and then packed his things to go on his expedition, which would take him to the Great Bear Ridge, a place he had found on a map in the British Museum. He knew that this would be the place to find the Last Polar Bears! At the last minute he decided to take his dog Roo with him for although she was not a huskie, she told Grandfather that her breed was better than huskies but no-one had ever given them a chance to prove it.
The journey on the ship 'Unsinkable' was traumatic and at one time it looked as though they would not reach their destination. But eventually they landed at Walrus Bay with the town of Walrus close at hand. And in Walrus there was a mailing station where grandfather could send and receive letters. And send them he did for all his adventures are captured in an illustrated series of letters to his grandchild, always beginning 'Dear Child'.
Grandfather is certainly an eccentric character and with Roo playing her part in similar vein the couple embark on a trek to find those Lost Polar Bears. Their encounters with wolves and penguins on the way interfere with their progress and they nearly meet disaster on more than one occasion. But eventually they, complete with one of the penguins they had met for extra company, arrive at Bear Ridge where they built an igloo to protect them from the weather.
And Grandfather's final letter tells the child, 'the polar bears are here ... I can see them with their cubs playing in the snow. I have not spoken to them yet, but I will.' And no doubt he did.
Often amusing 'The Last Polar Bears' is an adventure book with a difference.
August 28, 2022
Great, I love Harry Horse stories, easy to read, humorous, ideal for beginners in English (late 6th)
September 1, 2020
Good it’s fictional,and funny.Not informing but it’s not supposed to be.I am going to read the sequel.
February 10, 2026
So cute and fun- this book follows the adventures of an elderly gentleman “grandfather,” and his sidekick, a cute dog named Roo who is obsessed with her toy rabbit. They go on an adventure to the North Pole in search of real life polar bears. The book and their antics are chronicled completely through letters from grandfather to his grandchild. It has some funny lines and scenes. We were laughing out loud and wondering what would happen next! It was an easy read aloud for me with my kids (ages 6,5 &3) at night or on the go at parks, trains or in the wee hours of the morning. Some letters were very short- the longer ones had frequent fun illustrations. The kids would ask for me to read to them and were excited to find out what happened next which is a huge plus with finding short chapter books to read out loud. Loved it! Reading the last castaway now (the next book that follows Roo and grandfather!)
August 6, 2018
Means more to me than probably any other book ever
January 15, 2020
Read this one aloud to my kids (ages 12, 10, and 7) and we all loved it. It's a grandfather's story of adventure with his dog, Roo, as told through a series of letters to his grandchild. It's short and sweet. It should be noted that polar bears and penguins don't share a habitat (a fact my kids picked up on right away), but the dog is mostly a person in this story, so I suppose we are to suspend disbelief.
March 15, 2008
"I don't get it." It's not good when you close a book and make that statement. I cannot figure this book out. Who is the intended audience? Beats the heck out of me. It's presented as a children's book, and the frequent--and adorable--illustrations confirm that. But... walk with me; talk with me....
The star of this book is Roo, the grandfather's dog. Her "comments" are humorous and entertaining. But I have to wonder: does Roo really talk, or does Grandfather just attribute motives and conversations to his doggie to keep himself entertained? I honestly have no idea. But Roo is the only thing that kept me turning pages.
Bizarre-ness was everywhere. Grandfather kept referring to the last of the polar bears, as if they were almost extinct, and how they must live at Great Bear Ridge because the polar ice caps are melting, and his friend Jackson the Ice Sculptor's giant moose melted (all but the antlers, which, correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't those have melted first?). But at the same time they are constantly beseiged by ferocious snowstorms that blow away their golf-cart-trolley and keep them huddled inside their igloo. Grandfather built the igloo, by the way, out of blocks of ice he cut with his one-iron.
There are penguins in the Arctic in this book. Hello? Penguins? In the Arctic? Um...no. Plus, drunken wolves. Drunken wolves who steal Grandfather's pillowcases and want to trade them back for dried fish.
At one point the sun and the moon are standing next to each other in the sky. Grandfather thinks this must be significant. You think?
So somewhere along the line I started to wonder if Grandfather was completely delusional, or just making up silly stories for his grandchild, or maybe the author was...oh, I don't know, insane, or drunk alongside his wolves? I kept expecting something big to happen that would explain it all to me, and it would suddenly make sense. Sadly, that was not the case.
Near the end Grandfather has become extremely weak from lack of food and warmth (this journal entry is dated Friday 39 October, by the way). Next day the storm breaks and he reaches the top of Great Bear Ridge, which is "a beautiful world and it goes on forever." I totally thought Grandfather was dead. I thought, okay, he's in heaven. Arctic heaven, but heaven. But then, I turn the page, and there are previews of the further adventures of Grandfather and Roo in the Land Down Under. So he's not dead. So I'm completely confused again.
Maybe this is just a completely silly book that's not supposed to be logical, it's just supposed to be fun, and I tried to find some meaning or purpose when there was none other than just having fun. Could someone else read this book and explain it to me???
The star of this book is Roo, the grandfather's dog. Her "comments" are humorous and entertaining. But I have to wonder: does Roo really talk, or does Grandfather just attribute motives and conversations to his doggie to keep himself entertained? I honestly have no idea. But Roo is the only thing that kept me turning pages.
Bizarre-ness was everywhere. Grandfather kept referring to the last of the polar bears, as if they were almost extinct, and how they must live at Great Bear Ridge because the polar ice caps are melting, and his friend Jackson the Ice Sculptor's giant moose melted (all but the antlers, which, correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't those have melted first?). But at the same time they are constantly beseiged by ferocious snowstorms that blow away their golf-cart-trolley and keep them huddled inside their igloo. Grandfather built the igloo, by the way, out of blocks of ice he cut with his one-iron.
There are penguins in the Arctic in this book. Hello? Penguins? In the Arctic? Um...no. Plus, drunken wolves. Drunken wolves who steal Grandfather's pillowcases and want to trade them back for dried fish.
At one point the sun and the moon are standing next to each other in the sky. Grandfather thinks this must be significant. You think?
So somewhere along the line I started to wonder if Grandfather was completely delusional, or just making up silly stories for his grandchild, or maybe the author was...oh, I don't know, insane, or drunk alongside his wolves? I kept expecting something big to happen that would explain it all to me, and it would suddenly make sense. Sadly, that was not the case.
Near the end Grandfather has become extremely weak from lack of food and warmth (this journal entry is dated Friday 39 October, by the way). Next day the storm breaks and he reaches the top of Great Bear Ridge, which is "a beautiful world and it goes on forever." I totally thought Grandfather was dead. I thought, okay, he's in heaven. Arctic heaven, but heaven. But then, I turn the page, and there are previews of the further adventures of Grandfather and Roo in the Land Down Under. So he's not dead. So I'm completely confused again.
Maybe this is just a completely silly book that's not supposed to be logical, it's just supposed to be fun, and I tried to find some meaning or purpose when there was none other than just having fun. Could someone else read this book and explain it to me???
August 16, 2023
Jej, ta końcówka... To chyba trochę jak w "Braciach Lwie Serce": dorośli uznają ją za okropnie smutną, a dzieci za szczęśliwy finał.
DOSKONAŁE ilustracje!
DOSKONAŁE ilustracje!
Read
December 13, 2024I like some of the oddball aspects of this epistolary novel - detailing a grandfather's adventures in the frozen north, along with his very opinionated dog Roo - but I disliked the lack of fact-checking and consistency. For example, I'm all for the global warming bits, but don't tell me it's getting horribly colder in one sentence and then say the ice sculptures are melting in the very next one. Also? Penguins do not live at the North Pole. The book ended so strangely I wondered if it were supposed to have been a fever dream.
March 24, 2023
Adventures in the North
I enjoyed both the writing and illustrations immensely. As the adventure is told by Grandpa, and grandpas are notorious fibbers, the silliness of ice cream snow becomes believable…as does the presence of penguins at the wrong pole! Wondering where else Grandpa has explored?
I enjoyed both the writing and illustrations immensely. As the adventure is told by Grandpa, and grandpas are notorious fibbers, the silliness of ice cream snow becomes believable…as does the presence of penguins at the wrong pole! Wondering where else Grandpa has explored?
November 9, 2018
I discovered a copy of this book at my dads. He used to read it to the grandkids. Curiosity got the better of me, I loved the cover and that alone convinced me to read it. I wasn't disappointed. I recommend it to children of ages 6 years and upwards.
December 30, 2014
Horn Book (Spring 2008)
In a series of letters to his grandchild, a grandfather chronicles his trip to the North Pole. Accompanied by his dog Roo, the travelers encounter rough weather aboard the Unsinkable, drunk wolves singing rude songs, and a penguin knocked unconscious during a game of snow golf, all meticulously illustrated with line drawings. This witty story (posthumously published) will delight readers.
Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 2007)
Not satisfied with seeing a lone polar bear in the zoo, Grandfather becomes determined to find the last polar bears in the wild before global warming spells their demise. For his quest, Grandfather enlists the help of Roo, his faithful, but sometimes high-maintenance pooch that talks. Together this odd pair travels from the UK to the North Pole aboard the Unsinkable where they find their quest for polar bears has only just begun. Told completely through short letters written by Grandfather to his unnamed grandchild, this chapter book is a practical introduction to independent reading. The theme of global warming is subtle but clear and could inspire rich classroom conversations or lessons. The late cartoonist's silly annotated black-and-white illustrations are sprinkled throughout, each letter adding additional humor to the zany fantastical adventure, which includes a pack of singing drunken wolves, a snow poet and frozen seagulls. Quirky with a message. Horse will be missed. (Fiction. 6-9)
Library Media Connection (February 2008)
This is a delightful story of Grandpa and his dog, Roo, traveling to the North Pole to see the "last polar bear." The reader shares grandpa's adventures in the form of letters to his grandchild. Grandpa experiences a few problems at sea, including seasickness and a storm. When they arrive at the North Pole, Grandpa, Roo, and a penguin continue their journey. During their journey, they lose their shelter and run out of food. Through determination and working together, they successfully find the polar bears. The interaction between Grandpa and Roo is very entertaining. They seem more like a married couple than an owner and his dog. Roo tends to reprimand Grandpa for his housekeeping and some of his actions. The charming pencil sketches give the appearance that Grandpa drew them within the letters because some are labeled. The language is simple yet descriptive and keeps the reader enthralled. The form of writing, as a letter, makes this book a wonderful read. Students could view it as a touchstone book for letter writing. Recommended. Marilyn Teicher, Library Media Specialist, P.S. 86x, Bronx, New York
Publishers Weekly (October 15, 2007)
In this amusingly quirky chapter book, the late Horse (the Little Rabbit series) tracks an oddball expedition to find polar bears at the North Pole. Comprised of letters a grandfather sends to his grandchild, the story starts aboard a creaky ship (the Unsinkable), which carries him and his opinionated talking dog, Roo, from Aberdeen to the town of Walrus. Grandfather's missives describe storms at sea, a malfunctioning engine that Roo inadvertently fixes and Roo's farfetched yarns about her own seafaring grandfather ("She told us one in which he was swallowed by a whale and lived inside it for two years," writes Grandfather. "He at last escaped by climbing out of the blowhole, and swam all the way back to his ship. He later got a medal for it"). On land, the two encounter drunken wolves, a loner who makes animal sculptures from snow and an Arctic-dwelling penguin whom Grandfather adopts-all before the bear-seeking mission begins. Horse's droll wit extends to his delicate pen-and-ink illustrations, which keep the spotlight trained on the emotive Roo and her animal co-stars. Ages 6-10. (Oct.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal (December 1, 2007)
Gr 1-4-In a series of letters to his grandchild, a 78-year-old man describes his expedition to the North Pole to see the Last Polar Bears before melting snowcaps destroy their habitat. He and his contrary dog, Roo, sail from England aboard the Unsinkable. Eventually, they reach their destination, a town called Walrus, population 17 . The bulk of the story takes place here, as Grandfather and Roo encounter unruly, drunk wolves who constantly demand the last of their dried fish, a snow poet and sculptor, and a penguin that Grandfather accidentally knocks out with a golf ball. When the sun and moon are side by side in the sky, Grandfather knows it's time to begin their trek up Great Bear Ridge, and Roo finally becomes useful, pulling the trolley (a golf bag on wheels) full of rations. On the 40th day of October, they reach the top and spy the objects of their quest. This fantasy has many bizarre elements, few of which hold much appeal for children, and the writing has a detached quality. Horse's black-and-white line drawings are full of whimsy, but they can't make up for the story's adult tone.-Alison Grant, Ruby S. Thomas Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
In a series of letters to his grandchild, a grandfather chronicles his trip to the North Pole. Accompanied by his dog Roo, the travelers encounter rough weather aboard the Unsinkable, drunk wolves singing rude songs, and a penguin knocked unconscious during a game of snow golf, all meticulously illustrated with line drawings. This witty story (posthumously published) will delight readers.
Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 2007)
Not satisfied with seeing a lone polar bear in the zoo, Grandfather becomes determined to find the last polar bears in the wild before global warming spells their demise. For his quest, Grandfather enlists the help of Roo, his faithful, but sometimes high-maintenance pooch that talks. Together this odd pair travels from the UK to the North Pole aboard the Unsinkable where they find their quest for polar bears has only just begun. Told completely through short letters written by Grandfather to his unnamed grandchild, this chapter book is a practical introduction to independent reading. The theme of global warming is subtle but clear and could inspire rich classroom conversations or lessons. The late cartoonist's silly annotated black-and-white illustrations are sprinkled throughout, each letter adding additional humor to the zany fantastical adventure, which includes a pack of singing drunken wolves, a snow poet and frozen seagulls. Quirky with a message. Horse will be missed. (Fiction. 6-9)
Library Media Connection (February 2008)
This is a delightful story of Grandpa and his dog, Roo, traveling to the North Pole to see the "last polar bear." The reader shares grandpa's adventures in the form of letters to his grandchild. Grandpa experiences a few problems at sea, including seasickness and a storm. When they arrive at the North Pole, Grandpa, Roo, and a penguin continue their journey. During their journey, they lose their shelter and run out of food. Through determination and working together, they successfully find the polar bears. The interaction between Grandpa and Roo is very entertaining. They seem more like a married couple than an owner and his dog. Roo tends to reprimand Grandpa for his housekeeping and some of his actions. The charming pencil sketches give the appearance that Grandpa drew them within the letters because some are labeled. The language is simple yet descriptive and keeps the reader enthralled. The form of writing, as a letter, makes this book a wonderful read. Students could view it as a touchstone book for letter writing. Recommended. Marilyn Teicher, Library Media Specialist, P.S. 86x, Bronx, New York
Publishers Weekly (October 15, 2007)
In this amusingly quirky chapter book, the late Horse (the Little Rabbit series) tracks an oddball expedition to find polar bears at the North Pole. Comprised of letters a grandfather sends to his grandchild, the story starts aboard a creaky ship (the Unsinkable), which carries him and his opinionated talking dog, Roo, from Aberdeen to the town of Walrus. Grandfather's missives describe storms at sea, a malfunctioning engine that Roo inadvertently fixes and Roo's farfetched yarns about her own seafaring grandfather ("She told us one in which he was swallowed by a whale and lived inside it for two years," writes Grandfather. "He at last escaped by climbing out of the blowhole, and swam all the way back to his ship. He later got a medal for it"). On land, the two encounter drunken wolves, a loner who makes animal sculptures from snow and an Arctic-dwelling penguin whom Grandfather adopts-all before the bear-seeking mission begins. Horse's droll wit extends to his delicate pen-and-ink illustrations, which keep the spotlight trained on the emotive Roo and her animal co-stars. Ages 6-10. (Oct.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal (December 1, 2007)
Gr 1-4-In a series of letters to his grandchild, a 78-year-old man describes his expedition to the North Pole to see the Last Polar Bears before melting snowcaps destroy their habitat. He and his contrary dog, Roo, sail from England aboard the Unsinkable. Eventually, they reach their destination, a town called Walrus, population 17 . The bulk of the story takes place here, as Grandfather and Roo encounter unruly, drunk wolves who constantly demand the last of their dried fish, a snow poet and sculptor, and a penguin that Grandfather accidentally knocks out with a golf ball. When the sun and moon are side by side in the sky, Grandfather knows it's time to begin their trek up Great Bear Ridge, and Roo finally becomes useful, pulling the trolley (a golf bag on wheels) full of rations. On the 40th day of October, they reach the top and spy the objects of their quest. This fantasy has many bizarre elements, few of which hold much appeal for children, and the writing has a detached quality. Horse's black-and-white line drawings are full of whimsy, but they can't make up for the story's adult tone.-Alison Grant, Ruby S. Thomas Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2017
Cute fun little story. Makes me want to read the other Grandfather and Roo adventures. Penguins, however, are only found in the Antarctic.
December 24, 2017
Great book. Lovely story. A true classic - just a brilliant example of what children's stories are all about; touching moments, funny moments, adventure, escapism and very imaginative.
July 8, 2018
Utterly charming, I am totally in love with Roo and Grandfather and have been transported back to my childhood re-reading this! Can't wait to revisit more!
April 3, 2020
I read the whole series of these books aloud to my daughter and we both loved the humorous adventures of Grandfather and his adorable little dog, Roo!
June 17, 2020
A sweet little book, well worth reading with children. A few humorous moments, but can sometimes be a little style over substance.
October 3, 2020
This book is hilarious and fun! I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
December 2, 2020
A simply adorable story with fabulous illustrations. Tucked into this one for the nostalgia and it really made me smile!
December 22, 2020
this was such a cute, yet sad book.
August 29, 2021
Gorgeous narrative voice
December 25, 2021
Re-reading a childhood favourite while home for Christmas
January 13, 2022
GRANDFATHER DIES
February 12, 2022
Whimsical and quirky. Follow grandfather's adventures through the letters he writes.
This would make a good read aloud.
This would make a good read aloud.
October 15, 2022
I found this an okay read but nothing special. I still found it cute and finished it quite quickly.
June 7, 2023
I give it a 4 for the delightful silliness of it all. Sometimes we need just a little sweet story.
September 3, 2024
I used to be obsessed with this story as a child and I will finally read the series.
December 10, 2024
One of the most important books of my childhood. The whole series is great.
December 3, 2015
Title / Author / Publication Date:
The Last Polar Bears / Horse, Harry / 2007
Genre: Adventure. Fiction
Format: Book – print. 104 pages
Plot summary:
The story of a grandfather who has gone on an adventure with his dog, Roo, to find the last polar bears at the North Pole. The story unfolds as a series of letters written to his grandchild.
Review citation:
Grant, A. (2007). The Last Polar Bears. School Library Journal, 53(12), 90.
Selection source used to find the material:
Best Books for Children 9th edition Barr/Gillesie
Recommended age: Ages 6-10
The Last Polar Bears / Horse, Harry / 2007
Genre: Adventure. Fiction
Format: Book – print. 104 pages
Plot summary:
The story of a grandfather who has gone on an adventure with his dog, Roo, to find the last polar bears at the North Pole. The story unfolds as a series of letters written to his grandchild.
Review citation:
Grant, A. (2007). The Last Polar Bears. School Library Journal, 53(12), 90.
Selection source used to find the material:
Best Books for Children 9th edition Barr/Gillesie
Recommended age: Ages 6-10
August 8, 2008
Eh... Cleverly told in letters, The Last Polar Bears is an amusing little story of a grandfather and a dog on an adventure to see the last polar bears. My real problem with it is that the ending is very lame. I honestly felt like the grandfather died and the end was an allegory. But then, there's a sequel, so I guess not. It just didn't have the triumphant ending that I was hoping for at the end of a treacherous adventure. The dog Roo tells a lot of tall tales which are very funny. Also on the anthropomorphic front - drunk wolves and an injured penguin who joins the expedition.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews