A girl and a polar bear take a stunning journey through the Arctic in this award-winning picture book from the author-illustrator of Alfie and How Do You Dance?   What&;s there to say about polar bears? They&;re big. They&;re mean. They eat things. Bor-ing. At least that&;s how Sophie feels when she sits down to do her homework.   But then something decidedly unboring happens&;Sophie is whisked away to the Arctic by a jovial polar bear named Olafur. In a whirlwind of a day, he shows the reluctant Sophie the many brilliant things there are to see in his home, from glacier mice to the northern lights. Sophie begins to learn that the polar bear&;s home is so much more than a barren, frozen land. It&;s a world filled with life, adventure&;and a new friend.   The Bear Report showcases the power of curiosity to fill any blank canvas, whether it&;s an incomplete homework assignment or the Arctic ice.   K-Gr 2—Wordless panels show Sophie struggling with her homework. On the following spread, the girl abandons her homework for the TV after she manages to list three "facts" about polar bears: "They are big. They eat things. They are mean." But the page turn brings a giant polar bear right into her living room in a striking spread—"We're not ALL mean." The bear introduces himself and insists on taking Sophie on a personal tour of his home in the Arctic, and then miraculously they are there. Lush watercolor illustrations create a breathtaking setting shown from a variety of perspectives that capture the vastness and beauty of the region. The true details of the place become as fantastic as the fantasy elements of the plot. The bear shows Sophie what he likes to eat (his take on fish sticks) and the music he likes (whale song), and after overcoming a near disaster on a melting iceberg, the two share a last moment together enjoying the Northern Lights. Information about the Arctic is peppered throughout the adventure, and the final wordless spread shows Sophie working feverishly into the night on her school assignment. VERDICT Those inspired by the visuals and details may want to seek out more information on the Arctic and its wildlife.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA STARRED REVIEW "Gorgeous to look at and a tummy tickler to read, this is a very fine book indeed."― Kirkus Reviews "Lush watercolor illustrations create a breathtaking setting shown from a variety of perspectives that capture the vastness and beauty of the region. The true details of the place become as fantastic as the fantasy elements of the plot... VERDICT Those inspired by the visuals and details may want to seek out more information on the Arctic and its wildlife."― School Library Journal Thyra Heder is the author and illustrator of Fraidyzoo , The Bear Report , Alfie , and How Do You Dance? . She is also a scenic designer and storyboard artist for film and advertising. She lives in Brooklyn.