Puloma and the Bear

This is exactly the sort of book which demonstrates why Barrington Stoke are so good at engaging reluctant or struggling readers. The stories they produce are so engaging and often, as in this case, so thought provoking, memorable, well written and  well-illustrated, that they are worth their weight in gold in any library or classroom. In her second book for the publisher, Jasbinder Bilan has written a powerful story which will really resonate with children who are passionate about animal welfare, as so many are. They will also quickly empathise with Puloma’s predicament, newly orphaned and now housed with inhospitable and cruel relatives. They will be impressed by her courage and resilience, when she runs away to make a life for herself. They will fear for her future when she finds it impossible to find work and be excited when she grasps at the opportunity to work with a travelling circus. But, like her, will be puzzled by the circus’s frequent moves and the circus worker’s fear of the police. They will be as horrified as Puloma is when we discover that  Mr Kapoor, the owner, has been keeping a black sloth bear captive. Nyla is the circus’s star attraction, drawing large crowds to watch her dance despite the fact that this cruel practice is now illegal in India. Puloma forms a bond with Nula and is allowed to care for the suffering bear, who has been stripped of her claws and teeth. Nula’s mistreatment becomes too much for Puloma  and she plans another escape, with an angry circus owner in hot pursuit, but she is determined to find a sanctuary for them both. The reader also gets a wonderful insight into the Sikh Gurdwara and its role in protecting those within its walls.  Information at the back of this engrossing story raises awareness that, despite being illegal, this practice of keeping bears in captivity for entertainment still exists, which may well inspire animal lovers to action as well as enjoying a really satisfying reading experience.