Emma, Polar Bear
Emma, Polar Bear
Written by Daniel Blough
Illustrated by Stella Maris
Published by Bluebird Lane Publishing Company, 2025
ISBN 979-8-9917267-1-9
“From a single spark,
A world unfolds.
No boundary between
What is and what could be
Nor dreamer and the dream.
Daniel J. Blough
The above beautiful ode to the imagination, written by the author, opens the story and sets the tone for the whimsical world of Emma, Polar Bear. Before any words appear, rich illustrations start the story, giving the reader a glimpse into what is to come. What could the picture of a young girl gazing into a mirror, seeing a reflection of a polar bear, mean?
The reader is immediately transported to the frosty realm of an adorable, endearing, and exuberant little polar bear, Emma. She begins her day stretching and yawning, and very hungry! She is hoping for berries, seaweed, “AND FISH!? Fish! Fish! My favorite dish!” Instead, she smells something “sticky and sweet” as she heads out in search of her breakfast. She comes upon “a slick glacier pass with steep icy cliffs” but bravely ventures on, telling herself, “I CAN DO THIS.”
Emma repeats this mantra often in the book, even when she comes to a tall, scary “slippery slope.” As she turns around and slips down on her bottom, the illustrations become interactive – the reader must turn the book to read the text. Her hunger keeps her motivated to bravely continue on her icy trek until she comes upon “A great hairy beast,” who tells Emma he is going to eat her breakfast! Will Emma stave off this great hairy beast? Will the beast eat her breakfast? Could there be a connection between Emma the polar bear and the little girl gazing at herself in the mirror pictured at the beginning of the book? The reader will love the amusing and sweetly satisfactory answers to these and other questions as the story ends.
The expressive imagery of the author’s words captures the effervescence of youth. Some words are bold, all caps, and in a bigger and different font, indicating to the reader that they are significant and need to be emphasized. The book does contain rhymes, which can be a challenge to write. However, the author incorporates rhyming words within a set pattern of lines that alternate between short and long. This results in creating a pleasant cadence that almost always keeps the story flowing smoothly. Because of this, the book begs to be shared by being read aloud!
The luminous illustrations feature soft, muted colors that enhance the story. The artist conjures up a wondrous wintery landscape, immersing the reader in the adventurous and sometimes dangerous ethereal world of Emma the polar bear. The details the artist includes add humor and provide contextual clues and information that cannot be gleaned from the text alone. The drawings of Emma the polar bear are endearing and enchanting and will captivate and charm both children and adults alike.
The author does a masterful job of capturing the lightheartedness and uninhibited nature of young children, creating a new world where they can imagine themselves to be whatever they want and behave in any way they choose. Creative and fanciful books like Emma, Polar Bear, give children a safe space to explore feelings such as fear and bravery and to venture into the unknown, as Emma does. The imagination of a child is a precious gift that is often lost along the way to adulthood, but this author still possesses it. The book is full of fun and fantasy, but with some essential messages delivered with a light touch. Have confidence in yourself; be persistent in following your dreams; live each day to the fullest; and never stop using your imagination.
This fanciful tale takes readers on a journey filled with joy, wonder, adventure, and mystery. Children will adore and identify with the loveable, inventive, and high-spirited main character. Sometimes we all need a dose of fun to share with children, and Emma, Polar Bear, very successfully fills that prescription!
