A story to share together
Leo and the Great White North
A young boy named Leo journeys to the Arctic and learns how polar bears stay warm, hunt for food, and live in the icy snow.
Page 1
Leo put on his bright red puffy jacket and stepped into a world of sparkling white snow. He wanted to learn how the giant bears lived in such a cold place. Suddenly, he saw a big, fluffy white shape nearby.
Page 2
The white shape was Barnaby the Polar Bear, who had a very kind face and a big black nose. Leo waved his yellow mittens and said hello. Barnaby let out a soft rumble and beckoned Leo to follow him.
Page 3
Leo wondered how Barnaby stayed warm without a red jacket. Barnaby showed Leo his thick fur and explained that he had black skin underneath to soak up the sun. He also had a layer of fat called blubber.
Page 4
Barnaby walked across the slippery ice with his giant paws. Leo noticed that the bottom of Barnaby's feet were covered in fur and small bumps. These acted like tiny snow tires so the bear would never slip or fall.
Page 5
They reached the edge of the freezing blue water where the ice ended. Barnaby dived in with a splash and began to swim using his front paws like paddles. He was a champion swimmer in the cold Arctic sea.
Page 6
After his swim, Barnaby climbed out and gave a mighty shake. Water flew everywhere like a shower! Leo laughed and hid behind his yellow mittens. Barnaby’s fur was oily, which helped the water slide right off his body.
Page 7
Barnaby showed Leo how he used his powerful nose to find food hidden under the snow. He could smell things from very far away! Leo tried to sniff the air, but he could only smell the fresh, cold wind.
Page 8
The sun began to set, turning the sky into a beautiful mix of pink and purple. Barnaby began to dig a deep hole in a snowbank. He explained that this was a cozy den for sleeping and staying safe.
Page 9
Leo crawled into the entrance of the snow den to see how it felt. It was surprisingly warm and quiet inside the white walls. He realized that the snow worked like a thick blanket to keep the cold wind out.
Page 10
Finally, it was time for Leo to go home. He hugged Barnaby’s soft fur and thanked him for the lesson. And so, Leo returned to his house knowing that polar bears were the amazing kings of the icy North.
