My Father Is a Polar Bear
Age 9+
General Fiction Family & Home Stories
“Look at the polar bears,” said Terry. “You see that one on the left, the fatter one? That’s our dad – our real dad. But you’re not to tell."
Drawing on Michael Morpurgo's own childhood experience of first seeing his real father on television, My Father Is a Polar Bear tells the story of two young brothers rediscovering their birth father in the most unlikely of places – and in an entirely unexpected guise! A warm and delightful tale of family bonds and love told by a master storyteller and beautifully illustrated by a talented new artist.
Creators
Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE was 2003–2005 Children's Laureate, has written over 100 books and is the winner of many awards, including the Whitbread Children's Book Award, the Smarties Book Prize, the Blue Peter Award and the Red House Children's Book Award. His books are translated and read around the world and his hugely popular novel War Horse is now both a critically acclaimed stage play and a highly successful film. Michael and his wife, Clare, live in Devon. Visit Michael's website at: www.michaelmorpurgo.com.
Felicita Sala was born in Rome but grew up in Perth, Australia, where she graduated in European Languages and Philosophy. After a time spent between France and Spain she eventually settled back in Italy, where she now works on various illustration and animation projects and runs art workshops for children. Felicita has created illustrations for Delicious magazine, Tesco Real Food magazine, ELI editions, L’Unità, E/O Editions, Nuova Ecologia magazine, Cometa magazine and Tapirulan illustrator’s calendar. Felicita lives in Rome and this is her first book for children. You can find out more about her work at: felicitasala.blogspot.co.uk.
Reviews
Morpurgo is a genius. This story is so convincingly narrated by the central character, that the reader almost believes it is autobiographical. Since their father’s disappearance, two brothers have remained intensely curious about him, while getting on with life. The complex code of relationships between parents and children are for readers to decipher […] Sala’s pencil and wash illustrations perfectly complement this sophisticated and gripping story.
Inis Reading Guide
Award-winning Michael Morpurgo tells a poignant short story drawing on his own experience about a boy’s search for his missing father… Recalling his own childhood as he tells of Andrew’s, Michael Morpurgo sensitively captures a little boy’s sense of loss and confusion as well as his healing acceptance of the situation.
Julia Eccleshare's Pick of the Month, Lovereading4kids
Illustrated book from the much-loved author Michael Morpurgo. Great for starting conversation with your children or grandchildren.
Daily Mirror
Featured in the Bookseller children’s previews for January 2023
The Bookseller
Michael’s beautiful prose and Felicita Sala’s drawings both capture so well, the child Andrew’s view of the world in this short pensive book.
Red Reading Hub
