Knut the Baby Polar Bear Book

Although I do find Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World heartwarming in and of itself, the very fact that Knut the polar bear died in 2011 and that his caretaker Thomas Dörflein had previously passed away in 2008, makes this story also feel somewhat bittersweet (and yes, even potentially melancholy). And indeed, like many if not most books by the Hatkoffs I have read to date, the photographs are totally and definitely once again the absolute stars in Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World, amazing and absolutely wonderful (as for me, there is often nothing quite as cute and as sweet as a fluffy white polar bear cub exploring its surroundings, and Knut also seems to have been extraordinarily photogenic). But that having been said, the narrative that accompanies the many Knut the polar bear photographs (and which does in my opinion have a tendency to be somewhat repetitive and dense) still manages to also be flowing and descriptive enough, and while I do find the Hatkoffs' featured text not nearly as evocative as their endearing pictures of Knut, the narrative is still readable and informative, and as such also a more than adequate and sufficient accompaniment to and complement to the photographs.

Now while I am certainly glad that the Hatkoffs have briefly mentioned the controversies surrounding Knut's birth and rescue in their text, I also really do believe that they should have somewhat if not even massively expanded on this (in my opinion) important aspect of the story (perhaps not within the text proper, but a more complete and detailed account in the back materials would definitely have improved Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World in my opinion and much expanded its learning and teaching potential and scope).

Finally and personally, I also do strongly think that in light of the fact that both Knut and his original caretaker Thomas Dörflein have since passed on, Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated The World should really now be republished with these additional details added (either as a preface, or again, as an addition to the back materials). And while I would generally not hesitate to recommend this book, I do believe that parents, teachers, librarians (basically anyone who might be reading Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World with or to children) should be anticipating potential questions about Knut (and perhaps even about some of the controversies surrounding his life and death) and should thus be prepared to provide acceptable and useable answers.