Always By Your Side

A young polar bear learns to be brave. When the cub first peeks out of her den, the world outside feels overwhelming. But with her mother’s gentle encouragement, she swims in icy water, dives below the surface, evades killer whales, and even briefly ventures out on her own. All along the way, the mother polar bear reminds her cub, “You can do anything…I’m right here beside you.” Theirs is a world of wintry white, making all colors appear especially vibrant and bright by contrast. Tiny bits of grass and flowers are a visual surprise; another scene depicts the northern lights, spectacular across the night sky. The off-white color of the bears helps them stand out from the snow. Lambert makes excellent use of viewpoint, shadow, and layering, from a lovely bird’s-eye view of the narrow waterways to the appearance of depth in the water. These compelling images will keep readers turning pages, following along with the polar bear cub’s journey. The story’s theme—that a parent’s love is safe and empowering—is familiar but deeply reassuring and heartfelt, to little ones and their caregivers alike. Captivating images carry a sweet and loving message.—Kirkus Reviews