The Bear who Sailed the Ocean on an Iceberg

LoveReading4Kids Says

Poignant, funny and radiant with friendship, Emily Critchley’s The Bear who Sailed the Ocean on an Iceberg is a warm-hearted, witty delight from start to finish, with big themes (bereavement, bullying and divorce) tackled with tremendous compassion and a magical touch.

12-year-old Patrick Jolly is jolly in name only. His mum is depressed following the death of his baby sister, his wildlife photographer dad is always away working, and he’s being given a hard time by bullies at school. Then, one Sunday afternoon, amidst this sadness, a most remarkable thing takes place. There, in the freezer, Patrick finds a polar bear. And not just any old polar bear. This is Wilbur Ambrose Cedric Reginald Montague the Third (Monty to his friends), a wise, well-read, well-spoken bear with impeccable manners, who turns out to be the best friend Patrick could have wished for. That said, trying to keep Monty a secret, and keeping him supplied with a regular stream of fish isn’t exactly easy.

The book’s inspired set-up and bond between boy and bear makes for a marvellous adventure story that imparts much warmth and wisdom through its charming, whimsical tenor.

Joanne Owen

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