ABSTRACT
Looking at narratives of human interaction with polar bears in Nordic literature for children and young adults during the twentieth century a clear development can be discerned. While in earlier adventure stories polar bears are represented as dangerous beasts, they are now perceived as victims of ecological change. The changing portrayal of polar bears in children’s literature also signifies a movement from an emphasis on entertainment to a focus on education. This chapter outlines this development in children’s literature from the Nordic countries.
