Mr. Cornell's Dream Boxes by Jeanette Winter

She teaches thecubs to hunt after a few years, they leave, and she is left alone once more.'The ice is melting. Winter explores the geography ofNanuk's Arctic surroundings, following the bear as she hunts for food, meets amale bear, digs a den, sleeps, and gives birth to two cubs. Shetints flat, folk-art-style images, set in small rectangular boxes, with thepale blues and greens of glaciers and ocean waters the white backgrounds areslowly engulfed by ever-rising waves, an ominous visual indicator of thethreats facing Nanuk and her fellow animals. Cornell's Dream Boxes) examines the life of Nanuk, a polar bear (or'ice bear,' as she refers to her), against a changing polar landscape. (Picture book.5-8) - Kirkus Reviews **STARRED REVIEW** * Novem*

As in other books by the author,big issues are presented in an accessible manner and subtly enough that adultscan guide children to an age-appropriate understanding of them. Although she softens the grim prospect by ending with the positivefuture envisioned in Nanuk's dreams, the reality, however lightly limned,ultimately gives the story a melancholy tone. In the final pages the authormentions the changes that have been implied throughout by this changingbackground. Illustrations are centered on each page, bordered in white, whilebehind them a rising sea changes color and height in successive spreads,eventually engulfing the white space entirely. Atouch of sentiment appears in the forlorn expression on Nanuk's face when heryoung are old enough to strike out on their own, but overall both narrative andpictures focus on conveying an accurate picture of typical experiences andbehaviors.

Similarly simple sentences coverfeeding, mating ('a dance of courtship'), and the raising of cubs. She starts with several pages that describe the Arctic landscape,offering a sense of place and placement. Clear, softillustrations in Winter's characteristic style accompany her straightforwardtext. The story of a femalepolar bear provides an overview of the species' life cycle and includes themention of environmental changes that threaten their existence.

Mr. Cornell's Dream Boxes by Jeanette Winter