Icebergs

Children's Literature

Icebergs inspire fear and fascination. Floating gracefully or breaking off into chunks the size of a small state, they add a unique personality to the polar regions. The author's enthusiasm for the subject, unfortunately, doesn't translate into quality science. Information introduced is often out-of-date or inaccurate. The generic use of the term "iceberg" for anything made of ice is problematic. This misuse of terminology, for example, gives a false impression that polar animals climb several story-tall icebergs to find safety or give birth. The animal-related information is more dramatic than accurate and contains too much misinformation to be usable. The author's description of how the Titanic sank doesn't match current findings. The photographs are stunning. Maps of locations discussed are absent, but needed for the intended audience. Part of the "Wonders of the World" Series. 2003, Kidhaven Press,
— Ruth Buchholz