Puloma and the Bear

A courageous journey to rescue a captive bear

Jasbinder Bilan author Skylar White illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers

Published:13th Mar '25

Should be back in stock very soon

Puloma and the Bear cover

Puloma embarks on a courageous journey to rescue Nyla, a captive bear, while discovering her own strength and resilience in Puloma and the Bear.

In Puloma and the Bear, the protagonist Puloma finds herself in a desperate situation, filled with challenges that test her bravery and resolve. Living with her unkind aunt, she feels unwanted and lonely, leading her to make a bold decision to run away with the circus. This choice offers her a temporary escape and a sense of belonging, but she soon discovers that the circus hides dark secrets that threaten her newfound happiness. The circus's star attraction, a dancing sloth bear named Nyla, is at the center of these troubles, and Puloma's heart breaks at the sight of Nyla's mistreatment.

As Puloma learns more about the plight of the animals in the circus, she becomes determined to rescue Nyla, even if it means putting herself in danger. The story unfolds with Puloma's growing courage as she navigates the complexities of her surroundings, facing not only the challenges posed by the circus but also her own fears and insecurities. With each step she takes toward freedom for Nyla, Puloma embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning the true meaning of bravery and compassion.

Puloma and the Bear is an inspiring tale that highlights the importance of standing up against cruelty and the bond between humans and animals. It encourages young readers to be courageous in the face of adversity and to fight for what is right, making it an engaging read for ages 9 and up.

"The beautiful illustrations by Skylar White show Nyla’s vulnerability and pain, while Jasbinder Bilan’s simple yet powerful words show Puloma’s bravery in standing up for what’s right. In shining a light on cruel traditions that might still exist in some areas of the world, this is a story to provoke thought, and maybe action." — BookTrust, Book of the Day

"Bilan packs so much into this short novel … Sensory details evoke the Indian countryside wonderfully, Puloma is a gutsy protagonist, and there is a powerful message about the treatment of captive animals." – JUNO

"A captivating, hopeful story of courage, friendship and trust with a powerful message raising awareness about animals held in captivity for entertainment." — Book Craic, blog

"A powerful story of standing up for what you believe in. Bravery, kindness and compassion flow from every page as the strong female lead, Puloma, discovers her gifts and the potential for a positive future. This story is perfect for fans of Nizrana Farook’s animal stories and Luna by Holly Webb." — Scope for Imagination, blog

ISBN: 9780008698096

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 6mm

Weight: 160g

96 pages