A Polar Bear in Sydney Harbour by Beck & Robin Feiner

This new picture book from married duo Beck and Robin Feiner is a sparkling tale about a lost polar bear, a smart little girl, and a dash of fascinating true science. When Hannah spots a polar bear floating on an iceberg in Sydney Harbour, she assumes he’s an adventurer, but then soon realises he’s actually lost. Unfortunately, our sharp-eyed heroine seems to be the only one who can see him. How can she get the attention of someone who can help? Cue: an ingenious plan involving a lighthouse and her new friend’s unique reflective fur.

Iconic Sydney locations are depicted in the Feiners’ bright, graphic style, and children will relish the book’s fun illustrative details (a dog and owner wearing matching sleep masks!) and dry sense of humour (when a seagull eats one of the polar bear’s chips, he eats the seagull). This story pays tribute to the creative problem-solving of young people, while also acknowledging the reality of climate crisis. For ages 3+.


Bronte Coates is the digital content manager and the Readings Prizes manager.