An Afternoon with Joan Keir Burnett
Imagine living in such a cold, desolate but beautiful place as the Arctic.
Polar Bear shivers and quivers from the cold wind that blows and snowflakes that melt as they touch his warm nose….
What strange creatures Polar Bear sees around him - whales that dive deep into the ocean, penguins that waddle and slip and slide on the ice but can swim like a graceful ballerina under water, brightly coloured puffins who can fly and swim under water, the narwhal with its long pointed tusk………
There is a lot to learn for a polar bear cub and he needs to listen to mother and do what she says so that he stays happy and safe for the rest of his days.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear is a picture book for young children written in rhyme to encourage their imagination. It is an early introduction to this amazing animal and his environment under threat through climate change.
Encourage your child or class group to join in and read along with you. Follow the text with your finger so that early readers make a connection between the spoken and written word. Learn the rhythm and rhyme, act out the text and become a polar bear, the icy cold wind or the whales as they dive, waddle like a penguin or swoop like an Arctic tern…
How did you come to write Polar Bear, Polar Bear? And is this your first title?
Retirement seemed an opportunity to take on some new challenges, things which I never had time to do working full-time and bringing up three children. Taking up painting had always been an ambition so I attended some courses and exhibited my work. When I stumbled on an advert on the internet about learning how to become an Amazon seller I dove into this. Having always had an interest in wildlife and the plight of creatures affected by climate change, I decided to sell polar bear towels for young children and was looking for a book I could market with this product. I was unable to find the type of book I wanted. When a colleague suggested I write one myself, I was somewhat reluctant but by then the thought was in my mind and I began to think how I could use a book to stimulate an interest in these amazing creatures.
What inspired the plot and characters of your book?
The plot was inspired by the years of experience I had working with very young children. One of the most popular ways to help young children learn about themselves is through their senses. Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste and Touch.
I researched creatures of the Arctic and included many in the story and through the illustrations. My characters were to be mother and cub polar bears. I wanted children to be able to relate the senses they experience through the eyes of the bears and to know that there are many different environments around our world and to gain an insight into how creatures live and survive, often in hostile conditions.
What is it that makes this book unique?
My book is not just a picture book about two cute bears. I hope it will be used by educators and parents as a stimulus for movement, art, drama and early science, looking at freezing and melting and contrasting environments on our planet. Drama is an excellent way for young children to learn and understand.
Is there a message you want to deliver with Polar Bear, Polar Bear?
Young children need to learn about their world and the amazing and endangered creatures which live on our planet.
What feedback have you had on your book that you’re most proud of?
I have taken my book into schools along with a world globe and examples of all the creatures in the story. Children have experienced being the bears, feeling the cold, looking for danger, waddling like penguins, swimming like seals and being hunted by the Orca whale. They were very responsive. I have also talked to older children about being a writer and the stages of having a book published. I was encouraged by their knowledge and understanding about climate change and the dangers Polar Bears and other endangered creatures face. I am also very proud that my 2 ½ year old grandson having had my book read to him was able to tell me the stuffed bear I have at home is a Polar Bear.
Do you have a favourite Children’s Author, and did they inspire you in writing Polar Bear, Polar Bear?
Roald Dahl is at the top of my list. All his books are brilliant to read to children. Georges Marvellous Medicine is my favourite as you can use lots of different voices and act out the parts. Every Primary school teacher needs to be an actor!
Has publishing Polar Bear, Polar Bear made you want to publish more in the future and if so, would you stay within the children's genre?
I am in the process of drafting a story about a Koala, another creature under threat from climate change and would like to create a themed series of books.
Joan Keir Burnett’s Polar Bear, Polar Bear
is available in Paperback and eBook.
Find out more about Polar Bear, Polar Bear here.
If you are an aspiring writer, you can submit your manuscript to us for review. Learn more about how to become an author with us here.
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