• Age: 10 to 13
• Grade: 5 to 12

"The sight of a bear standing on its hind legs is simply awesome. It turns the cute and cuddly image of the teddy bear on its head, and instead evokes fear and wonder."
- from the introduction

Bears are respected and admired, yet also feared. These mighty animals have virtually no enemies except for humans. Over the last 150 years, as civilization has expanded into their natural environments, bears are being displaced. Because of habitat loss, hunting for sport, and the black market trade in body parts for medicinal use, all species except brown and American black bears are endangered or vulnerable.

Bear Rescue profiles the major projects and people around the world who are active in the conservation efforts to help these animals:

• Armando Castellanos is the founder of the Spectacled Bear Project, which works to save the habitat of the endangered spectacled bears of South America
• Yoganand Kandasamy radio-collars sloth bears in India and follows them night and day through the forest to study their behavior
• Jill Robinson of China Bear Rescue rescues and rehabilitates Asiatic black bears from bear bile farms in China
• Ian Stirling is a research scientist studying the effects of global warming and toxins on the polar bear population
• A team from Seattle Woodland Park Zoo is working on successfully breeding in captivity the endangered sun bear.

Illustrated with 50 color photographs, Bear Rescue covers the people, the issues and the challenges involved in preserving a future for endangered wildlife.

About the Firefly Animal Rescue series:

The Firefly Animal Rescue identifies endangered and threatened species and what is being done to protect them. Combining lively, accessible text and stunning color photographs, each book provides a detailed overview of the species, describing its characteristics, behavior, habits, physiology and more.

"These attractive books are a call to action... fascinating readable accounts."
- School Library Journal

"Succinct introductions to the science and practice of wildlife conservation... written in accessible, lively language."
- Booklist

KELTIE THOMAS is a passionate sports fan and award-winning children’s science writer and editor. She is a former editor of OWL Magazine, and is the author of popular sports books such as How Baseball Works; Blades, Boards & Scooters; and Inside Hockey! She lives in Toronto.

Keltie Thomas' profile page

Clearly outlines the various threats... and introduces readers to organizations and individuals trying to save them... effective overviews.

School Library Journal

The pictures throughout the book are wonderful--especially one of a grizzly out for a swim. The index and fast-facts section are especially helpful and include addresses of organizations dedicated to helping save these endangered animals. Overall, a very well-presented and informative book.

PaperTigers.org

[reviewed with Alligator and Crocodile Rescue and Rainforest Bird Rescue] These books are suitable for gifts to reading age children and as communication tools for all ages. They are nicely done.

Wildlife Activist

Starred Selection

Canadian Children's Book Centre

[Starred selection] Readers will meet people around the world who are trying to ensure a future for these vulnerable animals.

Our Choice 2007, Canadian Children's Book Centre

The pictures throughout the book are wonderful--especially one of a grizzly out for a swim. The index and fast-facts section are especially helpful and include addresses of organizations dedicated to helping save these endangered animals. Overall, a very well-presented and informative book.

PaperTigers.org

The pictures throughout the book are wonderful... Overall, a very well-presented and informative book.

Resource Links

Starred Selection 2007

Canadian Children's Book Centre

Not since Stephen Fry put the Spectacled Bear on the Peruvian Map with his book on that bear in 2002, has there been such an interesting book on bears for the general public.... The book is a pleasure to read... Recommended for school libraries.

School Librarian, 55(3)

Starred Selection 2007

Canadian Children's Book Centre

Award winning... With beautiful photography and inspiring examples of individuals passionately devoted to wildlife conservation, these are excellent resource for the classroom or school library.

Green Teacher

This series of books on endangered species has consistently offered up-to-date research, high quality photographs, and a highly readable style. Add this latest title to your collection.

Canadian Materials, Vol. 13, No. 10

H Bear Rescue: Changing the Future for Endangered Wildlife (Firefly Animal Rescue)

Readers will meet people around the world who are trying to ensure a future for these vulnerable animals. Photographs, anecdotes and fast facts supplement the text.