Adventures of Riley: Polar Bear Puzzle

Amanda Lumry & Laura Hurwitz
Eaglemont Press (2007)
ISBN 9781600400049
Reviewed by Leslie Granier and Nicholas Lopez (age 5) for Reader Views (12/07)

This book tells the story of how the number of polar bears is decreasing due to increased temperatures on the Earth's surface.  Riley, a nine-year-old boy, travels to Canada to visit his uncle who does whatever he can to help the polar bears, including giving them medical checkups.  During this trip, Riley learns the importance of people doing whatever they can to stop global warming so as not to endanger polar bears and other species that rely on cold temperatures and ice formation for their survival.

The cover of the book indicates it is suited for age four to eight.  Nicholas, who is five-years-old, really did not understand many of the concepts.  He could not see how recycling a newspaper can help save the polar bears.  He thought it was “scary that Riley got so close to the mean, hungry bear,” but “it was nice he wanted to help him find food.”

There are many interesting facts presented by scientists and members of ecological groups throughout “Adventures of Riley: Polar Bear Puzzle.”  I think older children (8-11) will be more interested in this book's content because they have some scientific background and can relate more to cause and effect.  They are also better able to organize recycling projects and influence their parents and other adults to change their harmful habits and develop ways that are safer for all life forms.  The story has an important message for people of all ages and should be utilized in classrooms to help the next generation become more aware of possible problems that may arise in the future.

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