Knut

My kid loves polar bears. She sleeps with her furry mama polar bear and two cubs tucked into her bed with her each night. We read Three Snow Bears, over and over. She likes to watch shows about polar bears on Animal Planet (although you have to be careful about those because it is only a matter of time before the star of the show kills something).

Given all of the polar bear-lovin' at our house, I certainly couldn't pass up the opportunity to review Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World by Juliana, Isabella and Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Gerald R. Uhlich. After our first read, I have to say that we were not disappointed -- this is a great children's book.

In case you aren't familiar with Knut (the most famous polar bear on the planet), here is his bio: Knut was born at the Berlin Zoo in December 2006 and rejected by his mother. He has been hand-raised by the Zoo's chief bear keeper (Thomas) and veterinarian (Andre). Under the care of his foster father Thomas, Knut has thrived and become world-famous.

In addition to chronicling the first year of Knut's life, the authors also provide some basic information about polar bears, their food, and habitat. The book wraps up by focusing on the threat that global warming poses to polar bears and what steps we can take to curb the warming trend.

What's not to like here? You enjoy a sweet story about a cuddly bear, along with some educational information about polar bears in general. Plus, you get a perfect platform to start talking to your kids about global warming and what they can do to be responsible inhabitants of our planet. All that in a before-bedtime read!

From a Mommy perspective, I also adore that this book was authored by a dad working with his two, young daughters (along with the CEO of the Berlin Zoo). What a fabulous family project (it frankly gives me lots of ideas!).

One little postscript for you: Turns out, Knut is no longer the cute, cuddly, baby bear you see pictured above. At one-years-old, Knut now weights over 300 pounds, complete with fangs and claws. Check out a what Knut looks like now (and don't say I didn't warn you -- Knut is not a baby anymore!).