I am so excited to share my review of the delightful, thought-provoking, A Polar Bear Called Forth by AP Pullan. I am so pleased to have stumbled across this gorgeous story. It is a simple beautifully told tale, that highlights the importance of friends and family and the overwhelming need to belong.

Caitlin McGill is a 10 year old girl who lives in South Queensferry. Her mother has long sinced abandoned her so she lives with, and cares for, her elderly gran. When she unexpectedly finds a young polar bear cub washed up on the shore one day she names him Forth and he quickly becomes her best friend. With her new friend by her side, Caitlin spends her time between school, out sailing and cooking and cleaning at home. However, when her gran’s health starts to deteriorate it becomes clear that her life is about to change for good.

The story is really about the central character of Caitlin and about how, through her friendship with Forth, she is able to deal with the uncertainty and trauma that is going on in her life. It is about her journey to discover a place where she belongs, where she is cared for and where she is loved. There are parallels throughout between Forth and Caitlin and their stories and it is through her imagination that Caitlin is able to discover a way to cope.

I really like how we are given such an insight into Caitlin’s feelings and responsibilities as a young carer for her gran. She is such an independent wee girl who has had to grow up beyond her years but, as the story goes on, we are reminded that she is still just a child, desperately in need of nurture, love and a place to call home.

As someone who lives in central Scotland who regularly visits the beautiful town of South Queensferry, it was lovely to read a story set against the background of the three Forth bridges and the settings are definitely one of the things I loved about this book. The brilliant Highland Wildlife Park, near Kincraig, which has its own polar bears, is another one of the fantastic settings.

I have to mention the stunning front cover which features the iconic Forth Bridge. The author got local academy students to run a competition to contribute artwork and the cover was the winning entry by Cliona Riach.

A Polar Bear Called Forth is an absolutely unexpected joy. It made me laugh, it made my cry and it made my smile. It is a gorgeous, magical tale about friendship, self-discovery, belonging and, ultimately, hope.

You can order A Polar Bear Called Forth from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Polar-Bear-Called-Forth/dp/B08SGG953P