Waiting for Ice

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the discomfort of waiting or feeling anxious about changes in their environment that are beyond their control. This narrative nonfiction account follows a young polar bear cub on the shores of the Arctic, waiting for the ice to freeze so she can hunt. It is a story of biological necessity that doubles as a powerful lesson in resilience and the quiet strength required to endure difficult seasons. While the cub faces genuine hunger and danger, the book serves as a gentle introduction to climate change and the rhythms of the natural world. Parents will find it an excellent tool for discussing patience, the difference between fear and bravery, and how living things adapt to a changing planet. It is perfectly pitched for elementary students who are beginning to ask big questions about nature and survival.