Children - Nature, Children - Animals

Ice Age Cave Bear

Name: Ice Age Cave Bear
Author: Barbara Hehner, Mark Hallett
ISBN: 9780375821943

by Barbara Hehner, Mark Hallett

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Overview

Giant cave bears were creatures to be feared–and revered. Thousands of years ago, early humans painted images of them on cave walls. By the end of the ice age, the last of the cave bears had died out. The only things left were their bones–hundreds of thousands of bones–and eerie paintings in the caves they once inhabited.

Ice Age Cave Bear tells the story of these massive creatures in fascinating detail–what they looked like, where and how they lived, and what may have caused their extinction. Author Barbara Hehner takes us back to a time when the enormous bears lived alongside such ice age giants as mammoths, woolly rhinos, and cave lions–as well as Neanderthals and other early human beings. And she examines the question of whether or not ancient peoples actually worshipped the cave bear.

About the Author, Barbara Hehner, Mark Hallett

Barbara Hehner is a writer, editor, and the author of many children’s books. She collaborated on an award-winning science series for children.

Mark Hallett is a world-renowned paleoartist. He was the scientific consultant who helped create the dinosaurs for Jurassic Park.

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Editorials

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-Third in a series on Ice Age mammals, this dramatically illustrated book investigates the realm of Ursus spelaeus, the huge bear whose bones litter the floors of European caves and whose likenesses were preserved by Cro-Magnon artists. Hehner discusses what is known about these largely vegetarian mammals, and what may be inferred by modern bear behaviors. Physiology, diet, behavior, and habitat are explored, as are cave-bear interaction with prehistoric humans and possible causes of the animals' extinction. Also covered are bear evolution, the use of the Beringia land bridge for ursine migrations to the New World, and the appearance of the North American short-faced bear (even larger than the cave bear, and a fearsome carnivore to boot). The readable text briefly investigates possible religious connotations in connection with prehistoric man and touches on more modern bear cults, such as that of the aboriginal Ainu in northern Japan. Accompanied by full-color photographs and Hallett's rich, realistic illustrations, the book is eye-catching and informative.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.