BERLIN (AP) The Berlin Zoo introduced its first authorised children's book about Knut, their famous and lucrative polar bear cub.

The 44-page book, which came out yesterday in Germany, features previously unpublished photos of the baby bear that has come to be known as "Cute Knut".

"Knut, der kleine Eisbaerenjunge" or "Little Polar Bear Knut" chronicles the cub's life and includes educational information on how climate change endangers polar bears.

"Knut is a fantastic ambassador," Berlin Zoo director Gerald Uhlich said yesterday, adding that he hoped the book by Craig Hatkoff would raise awareness of how humans can help endangered species such as polar bears.

Aside from increased ticket income, the zoo is profiting from an array of Knut products, such as a Knut DVD and stuffed toy versions of the cub.

Publisher Ravensburger, which puts out children's books, printed 30,000 copies for the country's first edition and said the second edition is already at the press. A third edition is planned.