Polar Bears and Penguins

February 15, 2014
A set of comparisons presents new and pre-readers with elementary pointers on both the poles and differences between animals. Photos of polar bears and of penguins on alternating spreads or pages with a few accompanying lines of simply phrased observations highlight differences between the two creatures--"Polar bears are covered in fur. / Penguins are covered in feathers"--as well as their respective Arctic and Antarctic habitats. A wordier section offering supplementary material that is also available on the publisher's website follows, featuring additional facts about seasons and animal behavior, a true/false quiz (with answers provided) and a matching game. Though the aforementioned quiz rather unfairly covers material not previously presented, and one "photo" is actually a collage with northern lights clumsily Photoshopped in behind a polar bear, the overall approach will at least lay some groundwork for later geographical and animal study. A utilitarian, if not quite seamless, introduction to several natural history subjects, it will do till something more artful comes along. (Informational picture book. 5-7)

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June 1, 2014

Gr 1-4-Time for some circumpolar knowledge! Here, Hall highlights the similarities and differences between two of the most popular ice-dwelling creatures. She starts off by tackling a common erroneous assumption, explaining that the animals live on the opposite poles of the planet. Hall also compares fur to feathers, cubs to chicks, solitary to group living, and other concepts. Children will enjoy the sharp, full-color photographs of the animals and their habitats, and many pages are full bleed, which allows readers to scan for interesting details of the ecosystem. This book would be excellent for sharing with large or small groups. However, it is marred by a few weaknesses. A discussion of how the animals live on opposite ends of the globe includes tiny, superimposed maps that are so small that readers won't be able to decipher the miniscule script, which features important words such as "Arctic" and "Antarctic." Even more egregious is the poorly photoshopped image of a polar bear sitting on an ice floe while the lights of the aurora borealis shine behind it. The photo has been clumsily composed, and the sky, stars, aurora, ice floes and water reflections look completely artificial, thus undermining this work's authoritativeness. The book ends with a mishmash of back matter that provides further material about both animals, true/false questions, and a life-cycle calendar. Though this book is serviceable, its flaws greatly reduce its usefulness.-Denise Schmidt, San Francisco Public Library

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July 1, 2014
Simple sentences share basic facts about polar bears, penguins, and their habitats. The pages feel flimsy, but many of the color photographs are arresting. Potentially puzzling, the sentence "Down in the Antarctic, December occurs during summer and in sunshine" is illustrated with a photo featuring snow-capped mountains. Back matter includes "Polar Bear True or False" and a penguin matching activity.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)