  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 07/01/2019 *Starred Review* In the Very, Very Far North, there lives a variety of Arctic creatures: C.C., the brainy snowy owl; Handsome, the vain but well-mannered musk ox; Magic, the prank-playing arctic fox; Major Puff, the militant puffin; Twitch, the, well, twitchy hare; and the character around whom the ensuing adventures revolve, Duane the polar bear. Duane’s forays in friendship and explorations of his snowy home wonderfully follow in the tradition of A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories. Readers will immediately feel at home in the bear’s company as he visits C.C. in her shipwreck dwelling, contemplates snacks and naps, charmingly names his surroundings (e.g., the Fabulous Beach), and befriends all who cross his path. Each chapter contains its own adventure, which imparts a lesson or insight into how to interact with others, without being heavy-handed. For instance, Duane, who loves giving bear hugs, finds an alternative gesture of affection for C.C., who doesn’t like to be touched. Similarly, empathetic Twitch isn’t one to “throw carrots” (judge) when Major Puff exhibits some peculiar habits. Pousett’s soft pencil illustrations work in absolute harmony with the text, accomplishing the seemingly impossible task of making this book even more endearing. Gentle humor, a personable narrative voice, and some elevated vocabulary fortify the simple, character-driven adventures, which will win over young readers in a heartbeat. - Copyright 2019 Booklist. Loading...
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