Polar bears may be able to withstand sub-zero temperatures, but that doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy a nice cup of cocoa now and then. In discussing how her new book, Cold Paws, Warm Heart, came about, London artist Madeleine Floyd says, A couple of years ago, I produced an oil painting of a large polar bear being offered a cup of hot chocolate. I was thinking about random acts of kindness and how a hot drink might be exactly what a polar bear might enjoy rather than his usual icy fish for lunch. Floyd’s story takes place far away in the land of snow and ice. Cold Paws, a lonely polar bear, roams with only his silver flute for company. Then he meets a young girl named Hannah from a nearby village, who is attracted by his beautiful music. Hannah’s gifts of hot chocolate and friendship are just the things to warm the polar bear’s heart. Young children will be sure to enjoy this simple tale of love and friendship. Deborah Hopkinson’s new picture book, Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building, will be published in February 2006.
Valiant Women is a vital and engrossing attempt to correct the record and rightfully celebrate the achievements of female veterans of World War II.
