Books About The Arctic

The Best The Arctic Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about the arctic? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About The Arctic

The Animal Rescue Agency
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

The Animal Rescue Agency

By Eliot Schrefer · Book #1 in the Animal Rescue Agency series

A fox and rooster race to save a polar bear cub from a human threat.

192 pages· 25,078 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo·3.7/5 Goodreads · 249 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Esquire Fox, a reformed trickster, and Mr. Pepper, a spirited rooster, lead the Animal Rescue Agency. Their latest mission takes them to the Arctic, where a polar bear cub's life hangs in the balance. As they unravel the mystery, they face an unexpected adversary: a human. Can this unlikely duo outsmart the world's most dangerous predator and save the cub in time? Adventure, friendship, and conservation collide in this thrilling tale.
Rory
Sale price
$1128
Chapter Book · 2021

Rory

By Sarah Cullen, Carmen Ellis, Zuzana Svobodova · Ocean Tales Children's Books series

An orca's quest for the Northern Lights defies disbelief and forges unexpected friendships.

32 pages· 756 words
4.6 Goodreads · 343 ratings
$11.87Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Rory the orca dreams of witnessing the elusive Northern Lights, but his family dismisses his vision. Undeterred, Rory embarks on a daring journey across the ocean. Along the way, he encounters a charming beluga, a drowsy polar bear, and a dancing fox. As Rory's adventure unfolds, he discovers the power of friendship and the courage to pursue his dreams. Will Rory prove the existence of the magical lights, or will his quest remain a dream? Dive into this enchanting tale of perseverance and wonder, where the ocean's mysteries await.
Finding Bear
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

Finding Bear

By Hannah Gold · Book #2 in the The Last Bear series

A girl braves the Arctic to save a wounded polar bear and finds an unexpected companion.

352 pages· 45,504 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 1,914 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: April Wood can't forget her bond with a polar bear. When she hears of an injured bear in Svalbard, she convinces her dad to journey to the Arctic. Amidst icy landscapes, April discovers a vulnerable cub needing her help. Facing harsh conditions and her own fears, she must navigate the treacherous terrain to save him. Will she succeed in this heartwarming tale of survival and hope?
Polar Bear
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Polar Bear

By Candace Fleming, Eric Rohmann (Illustrator)

A mother polar bear leads her cubs on a perilous journey across the Arctic ice.

32 pages· 1,580 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud
4.3 Goodreads · 283 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In the Arctic's harsh spring, a mother polar bear and her cubs awaken from hibernation. Facing wolves and icy waters, they embark on a treacherous forty-mile trek back to their icy home. Will they survive the challenges of the thawing landscape? Discover their journey of survival and resilience, beautifully illustrated with breathtaking oil paintings.
Polar Bears: Survival on the Ice
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1348
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2018

Polar Bears: Survival on the Ice

By Jason Viola, Zack Giallongo (Illustrator) · Science Comics series

Can two polar bear cubs survive the rapidly changing Arctic?

128 pages· 5,624 words· Est. 50 min read
4.3 Goodreads · 257 ratings
$13.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In the icy Arctic, two polar bear cubs embark on a journey of survival. As they play and hunt, they must master the skills needed to thrive in a melting world. Each season brings new challenges and lessons in polar bear biology and behavior. Will they adapt to the changing landscape, or will the harsh environment prove too much? Dive into this action-packed graphic novel and discover the secrets of survival on the ice.
Polar Bear Patrol
Sale price
$474
Chapter Book · Ages 4–8 · 2003

Polar Bear Patrol

By Judith Stamper, Steve Haefele (Illustrator) · The Magic School Bus Science Chapter Books series

A class trip to the North Pole reveals unexpected Arctic wonders.

96 pages· 10,193 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 366 ratings
$4.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Tim and his classmates embark on a thrilling journey to the North Pole with Ms. Frizzle. As they encounter seals, caribou, and polar bears, they uncover the mysteries of the Arctic. What surprises await them at the top of the world? Dive into this icy adventure and discover the chilling facts that make this trip unforgettable.
A Symphony of Whales
Sale price
$1520
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1999

A Symphony of Whales

By Steve Schuch, Peter Sylvada (Illustrator)

A girl hears trapped whales' cries as ice closes in. Can they be saved?

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (1999)
32 pages· 1,766 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 149 ratings
$16.00Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Glashka, the only one who hears the whales' cries, faces a daunting challenge when thousands become trapped in a freezing inlet. As ice encroaches, their survival hangs in the balance. Can Glashka's unique gift and the power of music lead to a daring rescue? Discover a tale of courage and hope inspired by true events.
Cozy
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

Cozy

By Jan Brett

A group of animals take shelter from a storm under the protection of a musk ox's thick coat.

32 pages· 812 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 1,136 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In Alaska's harsh winter, Cozy the musk ox becomes a refuge for animals seeking warmth. As lemmings, hares, owls, foxes, and wolverines snuggle in, Cozy sets rules for peace. But can they all get along until spring? Discover a heartwarming tale of friendship and sharing as Cozy and his new friends navigate the challenges of living together.
Sea Bear
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

Sea Bear

By Lindsay Moore

A polar bear's journey across melting ice reveals the harsh reality of climate change.

40 pages· 410 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.1 Goodreads · 669 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In the Arctic's vast expanse, a lone polar bear embarks on a perilous journey across melting sea ice in search of food. As the ice vanishes, she faces exhaustion and uncertainty, swimming for days until she finds refuge on land. There, she gives birth to cubs, waiting for the sea to freeze once more. This poignant tale, informed by marine science, highlights the stark impact of climate change on Arctic wildlife. Will the ice return in time to save her family? Discover a story of survival and hope in a changing world.
The Way Home for Wolf
Sale price
$1597
Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2018

The Way Home for Wolf

By Rachel Bright, Jim Field (Illustrator) · Rachel Bright Picture series

A lone wolf cub learns the value of friendship in the Arctic night.

32 pages· 717 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
5.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,214 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Wilf, a fiercely independent wolf cub, believes he can conquer the world alone. But when he gets lost in the icy Arctic night, he must confront his greatest fear: asking for help. As the cold closes in, Wilf discovers that even the strongest need a friend. Will he find his way home before it's too late? This beautifully illustrated tale explores the power of friendship and the courage it takes to accept it.
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The Arctic Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about the arctic for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Pup and Bear
Sale price
$1799

Pup and Bear

Ages 2–7 · 2017

A lost wolf pup finds unexpected family with a polar bear.

The Bear Who Went Boo!
Sale price
$1299

The Bear Who Went Boo!

Ages 3–6 · 2015

A cheeky polar bear cub's antics lead to unexpected surprises in a snowy world.

Adrift
Sale price
$1799

Adrift

Ages 4–8 · 2017

Two polar bears, opposites in every way, must find friendship as they drift out to sea.

Five Flying Penguins
Sale price
$1299

Five Flying Penguins

Ages 3–7 · 2018

Penguins flee a lurking creature, but is it friend or foe?

The Last Polar Bear
Sale price
$799

The Last Polar Bear

Ages 4–8 · 2009

A boy races to save a polar bear cub in a changing Arctic.

White Animals
Series
Sale price
$3279

White Animals

Ages 0–7 · 2015

Discover how white animals use color to survive in snowy habitats.

Survival at 40 Below
Sale price
$1799

Survival at 40 Below

Ages 7–10 · 2010

Discover how arctic animals survive the harsh winter and emerge with the spring thaw.

View all the arctic picture books
Browse by age

The Arctic Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about the arctic for developing and independent readers.

Never Say Die
Sale price
$999

Never Say Die

Ages 8–12 · 2013

Stranded in the Arctic, two brothers face a monstrous bear and their own fears.

The Giant Bear
Sale price
$1095

The Giant Bear

Ages 6–8 · 2012

A hunter faces a colossal sea bear. Can he outsmart the beast?

Polar Meltdown
#2 in Series
Sale price
$2532

Polar Meltdown

Ages 8–11 · 2009

Twins race against time to rescue a lost polar bear cub in the Alaskan wilderness.

View all the arctic chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about animal rescueBooks about rescues and rescuing