Adrift: An Odd Couple of Polar Bears – A Funny Story About Different Friends for Kids

by Jessica Olien

Perfect for fans of Goodnight, Already! and You Will Be My Friend, this is a classic and quirky story of finding friendship where you least expect it, from the author/illustrator of The Blobfish Book and Shark Detective.

Karl and Hazel are polar bears. They are not friends.

Until . . . CRAAACCKKK!

Of all the polar bears, Karl is stuck with one who doesn’t like to talk.

Of all the polar bears, Hazel is stuck with the one who talks too much.

And now they’re drifting out to sea together. . . .

 

Also includes fun facts and resources about polar bears and the Arctic.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Adventure, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out more Picture book reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...

Karl and Hazel are polar bears who DO NOT like each other. Karl talks to much and Hazel not enough. When they get stuck on the same floe they MUST learn to get along as the ice is shrinking!

The cover with the bold black lines and primary colors drew us to this book right off. The art inside did not disappoint either! It was stark and simple which translates to bold and stunning. I really loved how sexless both Karl and Hazel were in the drawings as well. No definition of what it means to be a girl or a boy, just simple accessories to be back to differentiate between the two bears. As this is typical for bears in nature too I thought this quite smart art wise.

I'm not sure the story of how these two become friends translates very well for a young or a special needs audience. My nephew didn't understand what the birds had to do with them becoming friends. And the wall didn't make sense either! It's just a big leap. And there was no talk of kindness or understanding or service. You just magically become friends. The message about accepting those different from you is lost.

Actually I find this a cute story for older children. It's not exactly home library worthy but with a mixed age audience it would work well. An older child would sit and read with a younger child and accept the childish drawings while also understanding the more advanced story. And when dealing with sibling relations you could explain "walls" and "birds" examples to a young child.

The words used are quite good! There are no words that are too, too hard. And the pace and balance between dialouge, story and drawing is very good!

BOTTOM LINE: A master storyteller tells a tale of friendship a little above the target audience's head.

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You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery...

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karl and Hazel were two very different kinds of polar bear. Loud and outgoing, Karl assumed that the quiet, introverted Hazel was a bit mean because she never joined in his games, while bookish Hazel, too shy to speak up, found Karl somewhat intimidating (not to mention smelly!). But when the two bears found themselves adrift on the same iceberg, they eventually became the best of friends, developing a relationship that would endure, even when they had returned to land...

Jessica Olien's third picture-book, following upon Shark Detective! and The Blobfish Book , Adrift: An Odd Couple of Polar Bears is an engaging tale of two individuals who at first seem incompatible, but, after being forced together by circumstance, discover that they make good friends. The bright, colorful cartoon-like illustrations, complete with speech bubbles for the characters' dialogue, add to the sense of fun, and capture Karl and Hazel's evolving emotional states quite nicely. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about friendship, and looking beyond first impressions in figuring out who to befriend.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two very different polar bears with nothing in common find themselves floating on an ice floe that keeps getting smaller and smaller and drifts further and further away from home. Will they be able to keep each other company or is this a recipe for disaster? Great story to help little ones understand that differences are a great way to learn more about each other and create friendships to last.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet book about learning to understand and appreciate people (or polar bears) who are different than you.

[Kelly Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karl and Hazel are two polar bears who are polar opposites and when they are set adrift on an ice flow they learn to like each other a whole lot more. This is a fun book about differences and how those differences make us unique. As a side note adult readers can use this book to start a conversation about the polar ice melting and the impact it has on animals like polar bears. It is fun to read just on itself and I think kids with enjoy the time spent with this book.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The eternal struggle between introverts and extroverts.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a galley copy of this cute story at the TLA Convention. Unexpected but heartwarming introvert/extrovert story with a theme of acceptance through understanding could lead to some interesting talks with kids.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the last page, a polar bear is reading Pride and Prejudice!!! Ha, it really is a bit of a P&P of polar bears-- a couple who misunderstand each other... but then grow to love one another. I'm a fan of this author-illustrator.

[L. Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite Jessica Olien book to date!

Polar bears Hazel and Karl do NOT like each other... but when they get stuck on an ice floe together, they have to learn to get along as their little floe keeps shrinking.

The art is striking and whimsical; I love Olien's composition, color, and playfulness. The story is funny and sweet, with a really great message about giving people second chances and learning not to be too judgmental before you get to know someone. A book that both parents and kids will love!

[Aneesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Librarian at the mobile library said he can't read this book anymore without crying.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fun.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

How had I not read this one before!? A fun book about making friends with people (or polar bears) who are different from ourselves. As a lifelong, deeply rooted introvert, I loved it. I liked that Karl and Hazel found things to appreciate about each other, but also could respect their differences. Hazel wasn't the only one to change, which is often the "solution" to these picture books with shy characters making friends. Really appreciated that detail.

Can see pulling this one out for a storytime for my older group. It's a bit long for my tolers and younger preschoolers, but the older preschool and kindergarten-age kids would appreciate it. Can easily see using it for a theme on bears/polar bears or on friends.

Bonus was the section of polar bear facts at the end. Always like seeing picture books include extension information when it can apply. Get those kids inspired to read more!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet picture book that shows how when we make assumptions and develop prejudice against others, we can miss out on a wonderful friendship.

The story does get a little scary for children and sad for adults at one point as it also brings attention to global warming and the destruction of polar bears habitats; but it quickly turns to a happy ending on the very next page.

I would recommend this book to animal lovers ages 5 and up.

[Terry]

This is a sweet, if predictable, story. The illustrations remind me a bit of Lucy Cousins and her Maisy books: bright colors with simply drawn characters who move the story forward with their actions. The book will appeal to toddlers and preschoolers who will enjoy it as a friendship story.

See our reviewer's thoughts on the embedded global warming message in the full review>.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful heartwarming story about the unlikely friendship of two unique polar bears that learn all about what it means to be friends while stranded on a shrinking iceberg. The illustrations capture the beauty of the Arctic environment. The story is the enduring tale of kindness and acceptance. This story reaches a deeper part in all of us. Highly recommended!

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids loved pointing out that they floated to the South Pole! Yikes!
While this does have an environmental message, I am unsure if the 4-5 yr olds will pick up on it. Thankfully, polar bears are sea bears and swim long distances(miles).
For my Kinders our focus will be on making new friends.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two polar bears who appear to have nothing in common get set adrift on an iceberg. Over time, they become friends. Story is cute but predictable. I did really like the author's note and information about protecting the environment and polar bears.

[Tera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this in the donation pile at work and I thought this was cute. Two polar bears who are quite different from each other think they never could be friends until circumstances force them together. I read it for my polar bear storytime

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining story about friendship that also subtly teaches readers about the effects of climate change.

[Jess Verzello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these quirky bears and their story of seeing past unfortunate first impressions. I think it really shows that anyone can be friends if they are willing to see the good in others.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karl and Hazel demonstrate for young readers how opposites attract and can be friends despite personality differences.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be a great aloud for younger kids and would lead to a great discussion about friendship.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two polar bears end up adrift in the ocean on a shrinking piece of ice. Can they become friends or will they remain as they are? Preschool and up

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like stories of odd friendships. And even though the story is about two polar bears, it is an odd friendship, but a good one.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The biggest missed opportunity that would have put it up with A Hungry Lion. When a hungry polar bear is faced with a huge variety of fauna, he doesn't want to eat fish.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about friendship to begin a conversation about global warming and it's effects on habitat. Any book that has a knitting scene gets an automatic 1-star upgrade, a la Michelin.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linc really enjoyed this.
He read it so enthusiastically to me! 💙

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story.

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

February polar bears themed storytime