Overview
Discover the most unique habitats in the world with these guides to Earth. Detailed information on the animal inhabitants of deserts, oceans, polar regions and rainforests gives a fresh approach to learning about animals. Each title is packed with fascinating facts about everything from Emperor penguins to cacti and camels – this series is a must for every young explorer.
Synopsis
On Earth, the furthest points north and south are the poles, but how much do you really know about them?
Children's Literature
From one end of the world to another, compare what is the same and what is different about opposite ends of the earth. One thing is certain: it is cold at both poles. The North Pole has no land at all, only miles and miles of ice, surrounded by land. How can anything live there? Most things cannot, and what does live near there is either threatened or endangered. The land closest to the Arctic Ocean is the tundra—a treeless area covered all winter in snow. The plants and animals on the frozen tundra are well-suited for the cold, and some migrate south toward the northern-most forests. The South Pole is land surrounded by ocean. Antarctica is the coldest place on earth and also the windiest. You may remember the scene in March of the Penguins, with the snow and wind at their fiercest! Now you know why. The Southern Ocean, which surrounds Antarctica, is full of nutrients, providing an environment for vast number of marine life, from the tiny krill to the seventy-two foot long fin whale. Besides the colorful images and informative text of these two polar areas, readers learn of human involvement and interaction, from hunting, to mining, to protecting the environment Parker presents a realistic view of these opposite poles. In true "QEB Planet Earth" series form, this follows the attractive and engaging format of a plethora of images, a concise text, and an ability to spark readers' curiosity to explore on their own. This would make a terrific addition to any library. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young