Leaf

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Now ask children to write about the moment shown in the picture. Encourage them to involve their readers by using vivid words, descriptions and ideas. When a strange white bear comes ashore and takes up residence in the local cave, all of the woodland residents thereabouts are disturbed. Frightened of this solitary newcomer, at first they see only the danger he represents, and are blind to the distress he is clearly demonstrating, through his odd behavior. It falls to the crows, who had been advocating talking to the stranger, to bring the polar bear and the woodland residents together, leading to better understanding and compassion, when the latter discover that their ursine guest was transplanted unwillingly from his home, and is missing his family... This tale of acceptance gently highlighting the plight of polar bears in today's changing climate had me enraptured from start to finish. Sandra is represented internationally by Millie Van Grutten at the Caroline Sheldon Literary agency in London, UK.

Collect words to describe everything in this image: water, sky, feathers; flying, falling, splashing, swimming; how it feels to be a crow or bear. Set up whole-class wordbanks and use to tell stories about the bear falling in the water. Look at one of the illustrations. Can you work in a group to create a soundscape for that illustration? What noises might you hear? What mood will you try and create? Can you use your body to create percussion and rhythm?Use the globe to show children where the northern forests are. Describe the trees and animals that live there. How did the bear come to be in this forest, do you think? Discuss your ideas and the questions you might want to ask this bear.

Explore the impact of global warming on the environment, animals and habitats around the world. Hold a class debate – should we change and mend our ways to reduce the effects of global warming or continue as we are? Deeper meaning resides in the fairy tales told to me in my childhood than in the truth that is taught in life.” Friedrich Schiller There's a stranger in the forest and everyone is worried. Can empathy and insight overcome difference and prejudice? The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own. He fails, of course, but at last the others listen to his tale of separation, misery and loneliness.

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Why didn't the animals want to be friends with the bear when he arrived? Do people behave the same way, do you think? How can we make newcomers feel welcome? Show children the front cover of the book . Who do you think this animal could be, and where is he? A forest isn’t an environment that’s usually associated with polar bears….! When you’re ready to share the story, read it all the way through for enjoyment, then re-read it, taking time to look more carefully at the pictures and discuss your responses Double spread 9 – How has the illustrator shown the movement of the water? What do you think has happened to the bear? Why do you think he has jumped from the cliff? Explain what the crows are thinking and feeling. Can you summarise what has happened in the story up to this point? This fantasy text revolves the personification of animals. One day, a new animal that the other animals have never seen before moves to the forest, arriving on a sheet of ice. They refer to him the entire book as “the creature” and “the beast.” The animals begin calling him “leaf” because of the weird habit that he has of always eating leaves and because they want him to “leave.” They argue about different ways to get him to leave the forest, but they can not come to a consensus. Eventually, they agree that because he looks so sad and lonely, they will listen to his story. This act changes their entire outlook towards the “creature.”