A heart-warming tale of danger and rescue.

Little Leah knows she is not to go outside. Polar bears are nearby. Even so, she sneaks out to explore a nearby iceberg. Sure enough, an equally curious polar bear cub is also out on the ice. It is not long before they find each other in the setting sun.

Soon the worried parents -- human and bear alike -- discover their missing young and set out to find them, father with his rifle and mother bear with her claws. Tragedy is narrowly averted by the universal love of parents for their children.

Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay is a thoughtful tale of mounting suspense, gloriously illustrated by Alice Priestley's luminous artwork. This book is a triumph of storytelling that has been called "one of the best picture books around."