The Polar Bear Explorers' Club

by Alex Bell

★★★★

Review

The Polar Bear Explorers' Club is a very fun and adventurous book that is perfect for children ages 8 and over. It is teeming with magic, fantastical creatures, snow and unlikely friendships, making it a perfect winter read. 

I came across this book when looking for a class read that linked to the polar regions. Although set in a fictional location (Coldgate and the snowy Icelands), there are plenty of parallels to actual snowy locations (the Arctic, Antarctica, Greeland) that will satisy any snow-lover's needs. We even get to see some wonderfully unique ice-related creatures such as 60 foot yetis and bloodthirsty (or maybe toe-thirsty) 'frosties' - mischievous pixies whose razor-sharp teeth can cause frostbite! 

As usual, one of my favourite things about this book is the feisty protagonist, Stella, who is strong-minded, determined and absolutely fearless. Born in a world dominated by males, Stella stands her ground and refuses to allow the Polar Bear Explorers' Club's "no females allowed" rule to get in the way of her dream expedition. We see Stella hold her own when confronted by a range of male characters (from gentle wolf whisperers to obnoxious competitors) and I couldn't help but wish that I was a little more Stella.

The plot itself is not only fun, but a powerful way to teach young girls that the world is at their feet - as long as they stand up for what they believe in. I loved the balance between Stella's fierce independence and her genuine love for her adopted father, Felix. Felix is the father that every child deserves and their relationship is quite simply delicious.

I would recommend this book to any reader who loves fantasy, wintry settings or thrilling adventures with a couple of heart-stopping moments. This book would make a great shared read, allowing more advanced, 'old-fashioned' and expedition-specific language to be discussed. 

Dive Deeper

Key information

Author: Alex Bell

Illustrator: Vivienne To

Release Date: 2nd November 2017

Book type: Chapter, 352 pages

Reader level: Confident reader (9+), Shared read 8+

Overview

It sounded like a respectable and worthy enough death for an explorer - tumbling from an ice bridge to be impaled upon a mammoth tusk - but Stella really, really didn't want that to happen, just the same.

Join Stella Starflake Pearl and her three fellow explorers as they trek across the snowy Icelands and come face-to-face with frost fairies, snow queens, outlaw hideouts, unicorns, pygmy dinosaurs and carnivorous cabbages . . .

When Stella and three other junior explorers get separated from their expedition can they cross the frozen wilderness and live to tell the tale?

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Help me read

There is plenty of great vocabulary to explore in this book and is a great opportunity to learn some brilliant new words.

There is also lots of information about snowy expeditions and voyages!

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