Book Reviews and Library Happenings by Charlotte

SOLDIER BEAR

By: Bibi Dumon Tak Illustrated by: Phillip Hopman

1. Bibliography

Dumon, Tak Bibi., and Philip Hopman. Soldier Bear. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2011. ISBN 9780802853752

2. Plot Summary

During World War II, some Polish soldiers come across a newborn Syrian brown bear. These soldiers adopt the bear and give him the name Voytek. Voytek becomes the soldier's mascot and a member of their family. Voytek loves to take showers and raid the kitchen tents during his time at war. Voytek even helps the soldiers carry ammunition which leads to him being the official mascot for the transport company and listed as "Private Voytek."

3. Critical Analysis

SOLDIER BEAR is a historical fiction novel set during World War II in British camps. Through this bear, not only the soldiers who adopted him, but many other soldiers are able to find peace. The soldiers are able to remember that there is life outside war and a future. Voytek is the soldier who helped to cheer others while drinking beer, eating cigarettes, and standing on his head. Through SOLDIER BEAR we are able to see the sadness and death of war. Voytek helps the soldiers to bond and become like family.

The illustrations include simple black and white drawings including some maps. These illustrations are usually located at the beginning of chapters with a few illustrations within the chapters. Through the illustrated maps, readers are able to get a sense of World War II from a Polish / British position along with the challenges of fighting the Germans.

Many of the cultural markings for SOLDIER BEAR consist of the location of the soldiers and various phrases. "Now I could do with a drink myself." The readers will understand in America that means, "Now I could have a drink myself." We are also presented with words such as quagmire and beret. Many children will be able to use context clues to understand the meanings of these words while others will need to consult a dictionary. Another cultural marking includes when the soldiers encounter a family who speaks in Italian. "The bear! The Bear! he shouted in Italian." The readers are able to understand that the characters of the story are among people of other cultures.

Since this novel is historically based, the author neglected to include references for students to follow which is seen as a weakness. Also, sources for the photos located in the back of the book should have been included.

4. Review Excepts

~2012 Batchelder Award

~SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (February 2012): "This fictionalized account is an unusual and humorous perspective on wartime experiences. Photographs enrich the truth of the story."

~LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION (Jan/Feb 2012): "This is a most unusual and engaging book."

5. Connections

~Read this story as an introduction to a study unit on World War II.

~After reading this novel, research more about Voytek and the emblem he was honored with.