What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ice Bear
Back in a time when people and animals lived together in harmony, a bear-child is stolen away from his mother. A hunter and his wife find the child and, wrapping him in sealskin, they sing him songs of the ice, the wind and the great white bears. One day the child wanders off and a bear comes to take him back to his mother. But by now the hunter is on the trail, determined to kill the creature that has taken his child.
Set in the pristine polar regions of the Arctic, Jackie Morris's beautiful story reminds us that we are caretakers of these wild creatures and our actions directly affect their future.
To listen to a reading of Ice Bear click here
Set in the pristine polar regions of the Arctic, Jackie Morris's beautiful story reminds us that we are caretakers of these wild creatures and our actions directly affect their future.
To listen to a reading of Ice Bear click here
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
1 person is currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Morris
124 books456 followersJackie Morris lives in a small house on the Welsh coast. She wanted to be an artist from the earliest she could remember. After studying art at Hereford and Bath Academy she went on to illustrate for magazines and newspapers. She began her first book for children the week after her first child, Thomas was born and has gone on to illustrate and write many books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 25, 2015
Two eyes, black as midwinter.
Dark hair like a raven's wing.
Two hands, fingers clawed by the cold.
A child.
A polar bear has some cubs. But Raven steals one of them and gives him to a couple who have been wishing for a child for seven years.
http://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/7...
When the raven delivers the bear cub to the couple, it has already transformed into an infant wrapped in bear fur.
The couple has no idea their new adoptive child is really a polar bear.
He seldom spoke. He often smiled.
And always the raven watched over him.
When the boy is seven years old, the raven uses beautiful amber stones to lure him back to his bear parents.
He heard them first, the soft paw pad on the powder snow, a hiss of hot breath in the dry, cold air, the flick of an ear. He lifted his head and shaded his eyes with a mittened hand. All around him it seemed as if the snow had come to life.
He knew now that he must die.
As he reached out a hand to the biggest of the bears the amber treasure fell to the snow. And as the bear breathed in the child's scent he heard in his heart the word "brother."
The seven polar bears travel across the frozen sea, the boy riding on the back of the biggest one.
http://brightstarbedtimestories.com/w...
Meanwhile, his father is tracking his missing son. He thinks his child has been killed by polar bears when he sees their tracks and vows to kill the polar bear(s).
The seven polar bears bring the boy back to his mother, who has scars on her face from the tears she cried when her cub was stolen from her.
She held him close, the lost one. He buried his face in her golden white fur, breathed in deep the rich smell of his mother, and the memory of the ice cave, so long ago, flooded back into his mind.
Meanwhile the hunter has crept close and is about to deal the killing blow to the mama bear.
The boy stands between them.
They decide not to kill each other, but each want the boy in their custody.
He felt that his heart was torn.
He wanted to stay with the bears.
He wanted to go with his father.
The child ran a mittened hand over the bead patterns of his parka. "I will stay with the bears in the winter, when the sky is dark and life is hard."
His father held back a sob in his throat, eyes hot with tears.
"And I will live with the people in the summer," the boy said. "We will hunt together."
So the polar bear breathes three times into her son's mouth and that makes him undergo a transformation into his bear-shape again.
And that's how he became a magical shapeshifter.
...
I don't know where this story takes place. I'm going to guess Alaska. But I'm not sure.
Points for the amazing, gorgeous illustrations that can't be over-praised.
Points for a non-white MC.
I liked the story, it was not dumbed-down for children and it made a lot of sense. No plot holes like in Morris's other story, The Snow Leopard.
A great winter book for any child.
Ages 0-7.
Dark hair like a raven's wing.
Two hands, fingers clawed by the cold.
A child.
A polar bear has some cubs. But Raven steals one of them and gives him to a couple who have been wishing for a child for seven years.
http://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/7...
When the raven delivers the bear cub to the couple, it has already transformed into an infant wrapped in bear fur.
The couple has no idea their new adoptive child is really a polar bear.
He seldom spoke. He often smiled.
And always the raven watched over him.
When the boy is seven years old, the raven uses beautiful amber stones to lure him back to his bear parents.
He heard them first, the soft paw pad on the powder snow, a hiss of hot breath in the dry, cold air, the flick of an ear. He lifted his head and shaded his eyes with a mittened hand. All around him it seemed as if the snow had come to life.
He knew now that he must die.
As he reached out a hand to the biggest of the bears the amber treasure fell to the snow. And as the bear breathed in the child's scent he heard in his heart the word "brother."
The seven polar bears travel across the frozen sea, the boy riding on the back of the biggest one.
http://brightstarbedtimestories.com/w...
Meanwhile, his father is tracking his missing son. He thinks his child has been killed by polar bears when he sees their tracks and vows to kill the polar bear(s).
The seven polar bears bring the boy back to his mother, who has scars on her face from the tears she cried when her cub was stolen from her.
She held him close, the lost one. He buried his face in her golden white fur, breathed in deep the rich smell of his mother, and the memory of the ice cave, so long ago, flooded back into his mind.
Meanwhile the hunter has crept close and is about to deal the killing blow to the mama bear.
The boy stands between them.
They decide not to kill each other, but each want the boy in their custody.
He felt that his heart was torn.
He wanted to stay with the bears.
He wanted to go with his father.
The child ran a mittened hand over the bead patterns of his parka. "I will stay with the bears in the winter, when the sky is dark and life is hard."
His father held back a sob in his throat, eyes hot with tears.
"And I will live with the people in the summer," the boy said. "We will hunt together."
So the polar bear breathes three times into her son's mouth and that makes him undergo a transformation into his bear-shape again.
And that's how he became a magical shapeshifter.
...
I don't know where this story takes place. I'm going to guess Alaska. But I'm not sure.
Points for the amazing, gorgeous illustrations that can't be over-praised.
Points for a non-white MC.
I liked the story, it was not dumbed-down for children and it made a lot of sense. No plot holes like in Morris's other story, The Snow Leopard.
A great winter book for any child.
Ages 0-7.
December 16, 2022
Lovely story, absolutely stunning art work.
January 22, 2020
The immensely talented British children's author and artist Jackie Morris spins the tale of a shape-shifting polar bear in this gorgeous picture-book, which reads like a traditional folktale. When one of her cubs is stolen by a raven, a mother polar bear is deeply grieved. The raven gives the cub, transformed into a human infant, to a childless couple, who raise him with love until he is seven. Then the raven lures the boy away with a trail of amber, reuniting him with his polar bear kin, who recognize his scent. His human father, who has pursued him across the ice, comes upon the bears with the boy and thinks to rescue his son. When the truth is revealed, a decision looms: who will the cub/boy choose to live with - his birth family or his adoptive one. His solution, that he will , is a workable compromise...
Reminiscent of another of Morris' books, The Snow Leopard , which is also set in a wintry world, and which was partly inspired by the folklore of the Wakhi people of Central Asia, The Ice Bear also feels like a story taken from some traditional body of lore. Although Morris gives no indication that this was inspired by any Arctic people's tradition, there are in fact Inuit stories about human children raised by bears. Inuit-owned Inhabit Media, based in Nunavut, published one such story, in the picture-book The Orphan and the Polar Bear . Leaving that question of influence aside, this was simply a beautiful book, one which paired a poetic, emotionally resonant text with gorgeous artwork. The solution that the boy proposes at the conclusion of the tale put me strongly in mind of the Greek myth of Persephone. Recommended to fellow Jackie Morris fans, and to anyone looking for stories set in the Arctic, featuring polar bears and/or shape-shifters.
Reminiscent of another of Morris' books, The Snow Leopard , which is also set in a wintry world, and which was partly inspired by the folklore of the Wakhi people of Central Asia, The Ice Bear also feels like a story taken from some traditional body of lore. Although Morris gives no indication that this was inspired by any Arctic people's tradition, there are in fact Inuit stories about human children raised by bears. Inuit-owned Inhabit Media, based in Nunavut, published one such story, in the picture-book The Orphan and the Polar Bear . Leaving that question of influence aside, this was simply a beautiful book, one which paired a poetic, emotionally resonant text with gorgeous artwork. The solution that the boy proposes at the conclusion of the tale put me strongly in mind of the Greek myth of Persephone. Recommended to fellow Jackie Morris fans, and to anyone looking for stories set in the Arctic, featuring polar bears and/or shape-shifters.
July 15, 2019
This was weird and kind of hippyish, but it’s just fine for kids.
January 2, 2025
Yes, this is a children’s book… but it’s actually longer than The Wood at Midwinter (with similar vibes) and I counted that. 😂 The watercolor paintings that accompany this story are stunning. Polar bears have special meaning to me and I wanted to document when I first read this- so adding it to the list.
October 28, 2011
Poetic and mystical, this picture book is a rich read. In the beginning of time, people and animals were as one. Two tiny polar bear cubs were born into the world and cared for by their mother bear in an ice cave. But the mother was tricked, and Raven was able to steal one of the cubs away. A hunter found Raven with a bundle of white fur. Raven flew off, and the hunter picked up the bundle of fur and headed back home on his sled. When he brought the furs into his home, he and his wife discovered a baby inside. The two had wished for a child and here was one. They raised him as their own. When the child was seven years old, Raven returned and drew him out onto the ice and away from home. There he almost froze to death, until the bears found him and took him away with them. He is a boy of two families, two worlds, who must make a choice.
Morris proves here that she is just as radiant a writer as an illustrator. Her story is told in words that make you slow down, savor them. If you read them aloud, it reads as verse, a poem in paragraph form. The world she creates is one of wonder and timelessness. It is a world at birth, a world that mirrors our own, but is also filled with magic and connections. She has created a picture book that is an invitation to dream.
Her illustrations have a lot to do with this too. They capture the Arctic landscape in all of its blues, whites, and purples. Then they also show the human family filled with the warmth of fire, furs and the snugness of their home. But most powerful of all is the bear home, where it is still cold, but the heat and warmth comes from the animals themselves, shown powerful in creams and yellows and equally loving.
A gorgeous story that is both beautifully written and illustrated, this book is radiant. Appropriate for ages 5-8.
Morris proves here that she is just as radiant a writer as an illustrator. Her story is told in words that make you slow down, savor them. If you read them aloud, it reads as verse, a poem in paragraph form. The world she creates is one of wonder and timelessness. It is a world at birth, a world that mirrors our own, but is also filled with magic and connections. She has created a picture book that is an invitation to dream.
Her illustrations have a lot to do with this too. They capture the Arctic landscape in all of its blues, whites, and purples. Then they also show the human family filled with the warmth of fire, furs and the snugness of their home. But most powerful of all is the bear home, where it is still cold, but the heat and warmth comes from the animals themselves, shown powerful in creams and yellows and equally loving.
A gorgeous story that is both beautifully written and illustrated, this book is radiant. Appropriate for ages 5-8.
February 17, 2017
Loved it. The art work is simply jaw dropping. Will need many more reads through to even scratch the surface of the language. A thing of beauty!
December 26, 2019
I'm so glad I saved this 6months from when I bought it, to read it on Christmas day. Would love someone to turn this into a film which delved more into the story of immigrant life. I don't know if that was Jackie's intention but as a Third Culture Kid who doesn't feel like I fit, I felt that was the heart of the story.
July 22, 2024
Absolutely beautiful illustrations!
The closeup cover image of a polar bear is breathtaking.
The story has a raven, and raven are trickersters...
This has a folktale feel, created by Morris? I saw no reference of inspiration
The opening line is poignant: " In the beginning of time people and animals ived together on the earth and there was no difference between them."
Closing line "One spirit, one heart, one soul, one people."
The closeup cover image of a polar bear is breathtaking.
The story has a raven, and raven are trickersters...
This has a folktale feel, created by Morris? I saw no reference of inspiration
The opening line is poignant: " In the beginning of time people and animals ived together on the earth and there was no difference between them."
Closing line "One spirit, one heart, one soul, one people."
May 20, 2017
I saw this book being used by a Year 5 Class as the basis of some work they were just starting. The talk generated by the issues dealt with by the first few pages was amazing and you could see that it was challenging their views on picture books.
Having read the book myself, I can see several possiblities for using it with both KS1 and KS2
Having read the book myself, I can see several possiblities for using it with both KS1 and KS2
July 21, 2020
Gorgeous illustrations and a folktale/mythology seeming story about a child born to a polar bear, stolen by a raven and raised by humans.
After 7 years, the boy is enticed off by the raven and meets the polar bears. His human father meets his bear mother and he agrees to live half the year with each.
After 7 years, the boy is enticed off by the raven and meets the polar bears. His human father meets his bear mother and he agrees to live half the year with each.
December 31, 2024
A book I forgot to review earlier in the year but one worth mentioning from a teacher perspective. The illustrations and language are gorgeous and the writing my children did inspired by it had some excellent descriptive passages because of the example the book provided. I read a lot like poetry which worked well for being read aloud to the class.
November 17, 2020
It's just a beautiful book - not much more to say. A short story about mankind living in harmony with nature. The illustrations are wonderful. I use this book it I just want to relax for half and hour - just gazing at the pictures is very therapeutic.
February 15, 2017
A re-read because it is just beautiful and because shape-shifting animals is my jam!!
November 11, 2017
Beautiful writing. Spectacular water-colour illustrations.
September 5, 2019
I got this book because I love the artist and wanted to see the art work. As I flipped through the book I read along and thoroughly enjoyed the story.
September 23, 2019
This beautifully told and illustrated tale brought tears to my eyes.
November 13, 2021
I was fortunate to have a large copy of this to share with my class. Absolutely beautiful! We really loved it. The artwork is very special.
March 12, 2022
This was a beautifully made book - huge, rich illustrations combined with poetic text, and a lovely story. Raven steals one of Bear's cubs, and he is raised as a human.
October 13, 2023
Beautiful pictures and a lovely story.
August 1, 2025
Gorgeous illustrations and a captivating story!
August 22, 2025
Beautiful, my niece and nephew loved it.
December 6, 2025
3.5/5 Stars
March 20, 2017
By a strange twist of fate a boy ends up with two families, a bear and human family. A very powerful story about a lost boy to the animal and human world.
In the same way that a child cannot chose between mother and father, the boy in this story cannot chose between his lost bear family and his human family and this dilemma forces him to make an unusual choice.
A beautifully illustrated and well- written story.
In the same way that a child cannot chose between mother and father, the boy in this story cannot chose between his lost bear family and his human family and this dilemma forces him to make an unusual choice.
A beautifully illustrated and well- written story.
March 23, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
August 31, 2010
An enchanting, magical book set in the beginning of time, before the naming and fixing of things, when men and animals were all equal. A polar bear cub is stolen away from his mother by a raven and raised by hunters as their child, till the day when he wanders far from home and is found by his bear-twin. Then he finds he must choose between his two families....
As always, Jackie Morris's paintings are the most gorgeous things imaginable for a children's book - though to call this merely a children's picture book is doing it a great dis-service. This isn't a 'picture book' in the sense of a cartoon type film tie-in but one of exquisite paintings, whether of wide open Arctic spaces or intimacy of hunter's tent. She manages to convey both the power and strength of the massive bears and their tenderness and love.
With wonderfully descriptive, poetic prose, it's suitable as either a bedtime storybook for a young child or read-alone for an older one, or play 'spot the arctic fox' as he hides in the background of many pictures. A book to spark a child's imagination and one they will treasure for always - or give in and treat yourself!
As always, Jackie Morris's paintings are the most gorgeous things imaginable for a children's book - though to call this merely a children's picture book is doing it a great dis-service. This isn't a 'picture book' in the sense of a cartoon type film tie-in but one of exquisite paintings, whether of wide open Arctic spaces or intimacy of hunter's tent. She manages to convey both the power and strength of the massive bears and their tenderness and love.
With wonderfully descriptive, poetic prose, it's suitable as either a bedtime storybook for a young child or read-alone for an older one, or play 'spot the arctic fox' as he hides in the background of many pictures. A book to spark a child's imagination and one they will treasure for always - or give in and treat yourself!
December 4, 2016
The Ice Bear is a beautiful, mystical story from author and illustrator Jackie Morris. I think she is probably my favourite illustrator, her animal paintings are just gorgeous. In this story we meet a young boy who was found in the snow by a hunter and brought up by him and his wife. He is no ordinary child however, for he was born of a large white bear and is a shapeshifter who can change from boy to bear. The raven that stole him from his bear mother leads him back to her when he is seven and his human father tracks him to the bears home. He is torn between his two families and decides to spend winters as a bear and summers with his human parents.
I would happily hang any of the pictures from this book on my wall, they are quite breathtaking but the words are lyrical and engaging too - 'The bear wept when she found that her cub had gone. Her ice tears formed scars on her cheeks' - any mother would empathise with this feeling of loss. All of Jackie Morris' books shine with her obvious love of the animal world and are sure to become treasureed possessions.
I would happily hang any of the pictures from this book on my wall, they are quite breathtaking but the words are lyrical and engaging too - 'The bear wept when she found that her cub had gone. Her ice tears formed scars on her cheeks' - any mother would empathise with this feeling of loss. All of Jackie Morris' books shine with her obvious love of the animal world and are sure to become treasureed possessions.
April 15, 2015
A short but poignant story that reads more like an old folk tale (and for all I know, it could be based on one), The Ice Bear is gorgeously illustrated and beautifully told. A mother bear gives birth to twins, but a raven steals one away and gives it to a human family who are without children. When the child and his bear brother meet again, it is the choice of the child that will determine the course of all their lives. I really enjoyed this story and accompanying illustrations, and think this would be ideal for both children and adults alike.
April 1, 2014
Art as ever is stunning, with amazing sense of framing the image, and scale. The text doesn't quite match the illustrations' glory, but with echoes of archetypal folk stories it will still be an enjoyable read, and a lavish experience on the eye.
August 4, 2011
Five stars for the lovely, evocative illustrations. I couldn't stop counting the bears.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews