Picture Books

★Velasquez, Eric. El oso polar y la bailarina. ISBN 9780823456772. SP

––––. The Polar Bear and the Ballerina. ISBN 9780823449187.
ea vol: illus. by Eric Velasquez. 48p. Holiday House. Oct. 2025. Tr. $18.99.
GR 1 These wordless books from award winning Afro-Latino author-illustrator Velasquez focus on an unlikely friendship between a young ballerina and a polar bear. Chloe, who is Black, and fellow Harlem Children’s ballet ballerinas have a photoshoot at the Central Park Zoo. Chloe has a brief interaction with the polar bear and accidentally leaves her long red scarf behind. The book turns dreamlike when the polar bear escapes, finds the scarf, and decides to make his way through Manhattan up to Lincoln Square. He is turned away at the box office with a “No polar bears allowed!” sign. Chloe hears his growl of dismay and runs out to get her red scarf from the polar bear and then lets him in to see the ballet. On its walk home, the bear wears the red scarf and recreates Chloe’s dance. Velasquez skillfully depicts expressive characters, recognizable scenery, and a cohesive dreamy plot with his iconic oil paintings. ­Limited text adds to key moments. The endpapers give readers further textual context for the story. Fun polar bear facts and scientific information are written in the style of zoo signs. A magazine article includes Chloe’s name, a brief biography, the ballet company’s name, and a recital poster. Both language editions are accessible for readers interested in image-centered picture books. VERDICT This extraordinary wordless book features expressive illustrations that depict a unique friendship. A great addition to English- and Spanish-language picture book collections.