Solider Bear

Title: Solider Bear

Author: Bibi Dumon Tak

Illustrator: Phillip Hopman

Genre: Non-Fiction

Sub-Genre: Historical Non-ficiton

Theme: Wartime; friendship in unlikely places

Primary Characters: Voytek

Secondary Characters: soldiers from camp

Awards: Mildred L. Batchelder award

Publisher and Date of Publication: 2011; Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

Summary:

This book is based on a real series of events that occurred during World War II. Soldier Bear is about a bear who was orphaned but adopted by a group of Polish soldiers in Iran. The Polish soldiers Voytek and eventually enlist him as a soldier! They wanted to make sure that he stays with their company. He travels with them all over the world. Voytek's mischief gets him into some trouble along with way, but his trouble is offset with comedic relief and comfort to the soldiers during the terrible war. Throughout the book Voytek learns to carry bombs for the company. Having this knowledge, will he be able to save the camp from a spy? Find out, when you read “Solider Bear”. I liked this book because it was based on a true, touching story. I also liked the end because it had Voytek’s pictures in the back, along with photos of his soldiers that he loved. I would definitely use this book in my classroom to help my students learn about World War II.