National Geographic Face to Face Readers is a high-interest series of books for confident, independent readers that have been adapted to a Key Stage 2 audience by education experts. The books pair magnificent National Geographic photographs with lively first-person text and fascinating facts about the natural world. Wrap up warm and travel to the wintery world of the Arctic with experienced nature photographers to learn all about the world's biggest land-based carnivore, the polar bear. Written in an engaging and fun to read format, the captivating photos and fascinating facts are perfect for encouraging the future explorers and researchers of tomorrow! Level 5 readers are ideal for kids who are confident in reading independently and ready for the challenge of varied sentence lengths, some technical vocabulary and increasing inference.

“...beautifully illustrated with colour photographs of Arctic foxes... I would recommend this book to anyone who is fascinated by the natural history of the polar regions.” The Glasgow Naturalist (2009) Look at it curled up in its cloudlike pillow of snow-white fur, an icon for beauty if there ever was one. Perhaps there is something deep within us that recognizes this material for what it is, one of nature’s greatest feats of engineering. It is believed that no other animal coat can match the insulating properties of arctic fox fur. Curious, innovative and mysterious survivors of the arctic tundra. Ever since explorers began venturing north into the harsh lands of the arctic, they have encountered arctic foxes in the unlikeliest and most inhospitable of places. The arctic fox is an extraordinary creature. No bigger than a house cat, it survives on almost nothing in the middle of a land so hostile it seems incompatible with the very existence of life. The tundra is a place of endless days or endless nights where temperatures can reach -50°C for weeks at a time, and where the terrain consists mostly of ice sheets, pack ice, ice floes, icebergs, ice shelves and glaciers. Arctic Fox tells the story of this animal from its evolutionary beginnings to its difficult life in the far north involving: Mating and raising a family; Hunting and scavenging; Its relationship with the polar bear and other arctic inhabitants; The fur trade; Adaptation to seasonal changes; The never-ending struggle for survival in a fragile and vanishing environment. This informative, lively and beautifully photographed full colour book will fascinate naturalists and general readers.

Praise for the second edition:

"Norbert's gift as a photographer is his great curiosity about the natural world. His magic is displayed in photographs that weave light, color and action into a tapestry that tells volumes about life in the Far North."-- "National Geographic Magazine"

"Highly recommended."-- "Library Journal" (starred review)

The polar bear is the largest terrestrial carnivore in the world, uniquely adapted to thrive in the harsh environment of the Far North. In "The World of the Polar Bear," renowned nature photographer Norbert Rosing follows the polar bear through each season of the year.

This timely third edition has been fully updated and features more than 20 terrific new photographs. With its thorough and engaging text and spectacular photography, "The World of the Polar Bear" includes: A season-by-season account of the life of the polar bear, including feeding, mating and rearing of cubs A new chapter featuring the polar bears of Svalbard, Norway An intimate look at the animals that share the polar bear's environment, including seals, arctic foxes, walruses and muskoxen A section on such northern sky phenomena as sun dogs and northern lights Many anecdotes and insights about the polar bear -- at once a loving parent, a fierce predator and a natural jester

Polar bears are seriously threatened by global warming, and this book continues to explore this critical issue.

"The World of the Polar Bear" is quite simply the best book ever published on the polar bear.

About Firefly Postcard Books:

Here's a set of attractive full-color books of postcards. Each book is consistent with the themes we publish: nature and wildlife. The books are standard postcard book dimensions (7" x 5"), but printed on a heavier stock than many.

Each book contains 24 color photographs that will thrill you and the person you send it to

"An essential introduction to the North's most spectacular species."

"Polar Bears" brings together acclaimed photographer Norbert Rosing's vibrant images and his firsthand knowledge of the Arctic to chronicle a year in the life of the polar bear, the Earth's largest land predator. The book is organized into four sections, spring, summer, fall and winter, each with an introductory essay.

Young readers will learn about tiny newborn cubs, weighing barely 2 pounds, and see them follow their mother across the frozen tundra, playing and learning survival skills as they go. Informative captions describe a polar bear's physical characteristics and how it survives in the bitter Arctic. The book also shows the other animals that share the Far North's breathtaking scenery.

Each year more than 10,000 people travel to remote Churchill, Manitoba, to watch and study polar bears, but the Earth's climate is changing, and the bear's future is in question. At this critical time comes "Polar Bears," the perfect introduction to the mighty Nanook from one of its most impassioned advocates.