Vicks, the polar bear cub

Vicks, a polar bear, was born at the Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands in 2010, and this book follows his first year of life, from small as a squirrel newborn to sturdy one-year-old. His birth was much anticipated, although the introduction doesn't state why. It's the pictures here that will steal the show, as fluffy Vicks frolics in the water, cuddles with his mama, and learns to climb. The text is informal, but Mack's attempts to get inside Vicks' head feel out of place in a nonfiction text for example, Splash! Vicks's paws get wet. It feels funny, but good, too. In another instance, we see Vicks clinging to his mother, and the text reads, Mama, will you help me out of the water now? But the actual factual elements, which mostly appear as italicized sidebar information, are interesting, even discussing how male and female polar bears pee differently. Alongside the beautiful photos are simple line drawings of polar bears, which make for a child-friendly design. Not perfect, but a nice introduction to a real-life bear.--Kelley, Ann Copyright 2010 Booklist

The first year of life for the Rotterdam Zoo's new resident, born in 2010. So small you can barely see him, newborn Vicks (named for the company that sponsors him) lies curled up with his mother, Olinka. There are a dozen large color photographs as well as small illustrations peppered throughout. Interesting facts ("Polar bears have white fur, but they actually have black skin") are tucked into page corners below the story of Vicks' growth. Nourished by his mother's milk, Vicks is soon big and strong enough to leave the cozy den and explore. And is he curious! But every new thing is also a little scary. A crow sends him diving into the water and the safety of his mother's arms. When he wants to get dry, he shakes like a dog. For food, he has to learn how to catch fish with his paws. He grows quickly; the big rocks that used to daunt him are now his favorite places to play and laze. He can also run, growl, climb and dive. At 2, Vicks will be mature enough to find a mate and have a cub of his own. The evocative photos capture the cub in a way that's sure to beguile readers; the information is presented in an age-appropriate, conversational manner that occasionally suffers from forced enthusiasm. A mostly winning combination of information and entertainment. (Informational picture book. 4-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.