Book Review: Bears!

Bears! By Emma Helbrough is a beautiful book with lots of drawings of bears doing many different things. All eight of the different species of bears are included and information on each one is well described.

My biggest concern with this book is that pandas are included as bears. Pandas are not bears. They are more closely related to raccoons.

3/5 stars.

Animal of the Week: Bears

Bears capture the imagination of kids everywhere. Many of us have loved bears since we were little and were carrying a stuffed one around with us. Mine was called Theodora and she looked like she was a basic brown bear.

I believe that one of the reasons we love bears so much is that they are like us in many ways.

Bears are mammals – just like people

Bears are omnivores – they eat meat and plants – just like people

Bears care for their young into adulthood - just like people.

Here are some other interesting facts about bears:

There are eight different species of bears. They are Asiatic, Black, Brown, Polar, Panda, Sloth, Spectacled and Sun.

Bears live everywhere in the world except Antarctica and Australia.

Fun Friday Fact

Polar bear fur isn't white. Honest! Polar bear fur is made up of clear hollow tubes that help to insulate the bears and keep them warm. Their skin is black and it is a combination of their fur, skin and a thick layer of blubber or fat under the skin that all work to keep the bears toasty in the cold arctic home.

Now before anyone starts correcting their teachers (and getting ME in trouble) and saying that polar bears aren't white, they -look- white because the clear fur reflects the light from the snow and ice of the area. They look yellowish sometimes from the oils in the foods they eat.

Check out more facts about polar bear here.