Note: I accessed digital review copies of this book through Edelweiss and NetGalley. ( )

Another book to add to the CitizenKid line up, A Voice for the Spirit Bear by Carmen Oliver and Katy Dockerill inspires children to use their voices and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Reminding me of the infamous line by the Lorax from the book of the same name by Dr. Seuss, “I am the Lorax who speaks for the trees.” Well this is the story of Simon who speaks for the bears who don’t have a voice to speak for themselves. Along the way Simon finds his voice and overcomes a stutter and win the respect of people from all over the world.

With climate change and environmental advocacy such important topics now, it is important to have books like A Voice for Spirit Bears to let young people know their voice can make a difference. When it can seem impossible for one person to truly make a different, inspiring books, like the CitizenKid series demonstrate to our young people they have power and their voices can make a difference. One powerful voice can ignite a movement as we have seen time and time again. With all of the bad policy coming from the leaders of today, we can see time and time again, youth rising up and letting their displeasure be known. Young people are advocating for their safety, their education and for the environment and they have books such as these to thank for guiding and inspiring. The big, colourful illustrations by Katy Dockerill bring this non-fiction book to life, introducing us to Simon and the bears he so cherishes. As always, there is a wonderful non-fiction section at the back to teach the reader about the spirit bears and how we can make a difference ( )

A beautiful book based on the life of Simon Jackson. Simon stuttered as a child, and was bullied at school. He liked to read and keep to himself. He found a love for bears, and once he heard how endangered his favorite bear was he found a way to help save the spirit bears. The back of the book includes facts about the real David Simon Jackson, the spirit bears, and how we can help. This is a great book with a great lesson that readers of all ages will enjoy. ( )

A Voice for the Spirit Bears is a gorgeous children's book about courage and persistence, looking at the life of David Simon Jackson. As a young boy, Simon stuttered. He preferred to keep to himself, and not talk around others. Classmates would bully him over it. So Simon ended up reading a lot, and his favourite thing to read about were bears. When he learned the first time, of bears endangered by logging, Simon raised money with a lemonade stand and donated the proceeds to help the bears. He also wrote a letter to government. Within a few weeks, the bears had a preserve of land set aside for them. As he grew older, Simon realised that his letter was probably not what caused the preserve to be created. But when he learned of the endangered spirit bears, Simon wanted to help them too. If one letter wouldn't work, maybe thousands? Simon began speaking on behalf of the spirit bears, shining a light on the issue. He even started his own charity/ conservation group, and had the honour of meeting Jane Goodall. Even better, finding his passion freed Simon from his stutter. His enthusiasm overrode his speech impediment.

This was a lovely book with a great lesson. Several great lessons, truth be told. It's a lesson in conservation and preservation, as we learn about the endangered bears and Simon's desire and efforts to help them. And it's a lesson in how freeing it can be to find your passion. It stokes your energy and helps obstacles seem to melt away. There're also lessons about facing your fears, as Simon does by being brave enough to speak in front of others despite being picked on for his stuttering, and how even one person can make a difference, and together, we can make a BIG difference. The only thing I didn't care for was the art style. It's not bad, just not my cuppa. I'd certainly recommend this book for any child interested in animals!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )