by Cathryn Sill Book list This picture-book introduction to polar areas sets the stage with three round maps of Earth: one centered on the equator, another on the Arctic, and a third on Antarctica. Each right-hand page in the book's main section features a large, distinctive watercolor painting of wildlife in the Arctic or Antarctic, while the facing page carries a brief identification of the locale and any animals pictured, as well as a line or two of simply written text pertaining to the scene. Some creatures are shown on snow or tundra, while others are in the air, beneath the sea, or (in cross-sectional scenes) hibernating in underground dens or tunneling beneath the snow. In the afterword, each picture appears in miniature along with additional information on the animals and other features shown, such as permafrost and the aurora australis (southern lights). Given the demand for informational picture books on Arctic and Antarctic regions and their wildlife, libraries will find this a particularly useful addition to the Sills' handsome About Habitats series.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission. School Library Journal K-Gr 2-In the most recent addition to this series, the husband-and-wife team cover the Arctic and Antarctica. The author's experience as an elementary teacher is evident in her ability to explain complex topics in simple but never condescending text. The verso features a fairly general explanatory statement, while the recto contains a beautifully painted watercolor, labeled with the name of the plant or animal species depicted. The book opens with a map, while the back matter includes more in-depth information about the flora and fauna portrayed. VERDICT A solid read-aloud to introduce young children to this area of the world.-Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. (c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Horn Book One simple sentence of text faces a detailed full-page painting of a feature (e.g., a narwhal, Antarctic hair grass) of a polar region, both Arctic and Antarctic. Each numbered plate corresponds to an afterword containing a paragraph about the feature and further information. Easily accessible initially, the information expands with the reader's skill; repeating labels would improve coordination of text and afterword. Websites. Bib., glos. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |
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