Polar Bears
1 Paperback/1 CD (see all formats)

"Gibbons's nonfiction picture books are brought to life complete with sound effects in these charming readalongs. Each book focuses on one animal, with detailed descriptions of habitats, food, and life cycles along with definitions and occasional pronunciations of terms associated with the animals. Along with this abundance of information, there are colorful illustrations to accompany the text. Employing a different narrator for each title adds variety. During Polar Bears, for example, narrator Dion Graham leaves time for the listener to look at a map. The narrators also read all the captions for the pictures, which can become tedious on some pages, but the occasional background music adds to the atmosphere. These will be a welcome addition to any library collection."

"Gibbons' signature drawings are coupled with equally clean narration of informative facts about polar bears to make an engaging nonfiction read-along. The device of gentle music added to give the reader a chance to examine the map or illustrations is well done. The sound effects are well chosen. For example, as the narrator mentions each animal that scavenges a polar bear's kill, that animal's vocalization has been added, from arctic fox to ivory gull. This read-along CD includes a version with a gentle page-flip sound to indicate page turns and a version without. With increasing curricular focus on nonfiction in schools, this is a solid purchase."

"With breathless excitement, Dion Graham sets the cold, windy scene for Gibbons's nonfiction book on the lives of polar bears. The extensive information includes such details as the scientific name Ursus maritimus, physical descriptions, descriptions of habits (swimming up to 40 miles aided by partially webbed feet, for example) and raising young, and the dangers of humans and global warming. Graham is an unobtrusive narrator who lets the world of the polar bear take center stage. His clear, engaged style and steady pace are perfect. Listeners will need to reference the print book frequently for Gibbons's signature illustrations as well as the maps and sidebar information that are referenced in the narration. Sound effects heighten the polar experience."