From the book back cover:

"What is it like to live in a tiny Polar Haven for two months? To look into the odd, expressive eyes of an Adelie chick? To be flipper-slapped by a bird whose wings are powerful enough to propel it swiftly through frigid water? Sophie Webb knows, and she gives readers a frank firsthand account of what it is like to spend a season in a land not yet affected by humans yet populated for centuries by true dwellers of the Antarctic - the fearless, round-bellied, pink-footed, waddling, diving, utterly adept Adelie penguins."

* "A fine look at the scientific method in action. The artist/biologist also provides a terrific adventure for anyone who dreams of studying animals."
- School Library Journal, starred review

A brilliant book to incorporate the scientific method into the classroom. This diary-style text gives the reader a day by day view of life in Antartica during a two-month 'summer' which is a balmy 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The author and illustrator, Sophie Webb, takes us on an adventure into the circle of life for Adelie penguins. There are detailed watercolor, gouache, and graphite drawings that bring the penguins and the scenery to life. There is also a handy glossary in the back.
This book would serve so many purposes in the classroom. For starters, there is the geography and social studies aspect. For example, the changes in latitude away from the equator result in twenty-four-hour sunlight, and why summer in the Antarctic is still 30 degrees Fahrenheit. As for social studies, she does a wonderful job summarizing how peace treaties have kept the Antartic a peaceful place in which no country has laid a claim.
As for the obvious scientific uses, besides the obvious education regarding Adelie penguins, the author discusses the lack of bacteria which causes dead creatures to mummify instead of decay - and she does not spare any details when she explains for that same reason, they have to bag all of their human waste and bring it back to civilization.
As if that weren't enough, the new vocabulary introduced is a bonus! For instance, I did not know that a gathering of Adelie penguins is called a 'rookery.'
The author's passion for these beautiful birds comes through in every diary entry. Sophie Webb does a great job drawing the reader in, satisfying their curiosity, and teaching the reader a few lessons along the way. ( )

This book is written in journal format about a woman who journeys to the Antarctic to study penguins. ( )

Ok, don't read picture books on an e-reader and expect to get the same experience as a paperbook. This book is *much* richer than the text. It's a little dry if one expects a narrative, but it's very lively and interesting from a scientific pov. I loved the illustrations, and the opportunity to learn what it's like to study penguins in the field.

For example, segregating a sub-colony behind a mesh corral, with only one gate - which is outfitted with a 'weigh bridge' - is a smart way to get lots of data but is only minimally disruptive. ( )

Genre: This book is a good example of realistic fiction. All of the events in the book are plausible and are continually being done. The journal entry format allowed for information to be given as if from an explorer while still discussing the characters (human).

Setting: 4 stars

Age: Intermediate/Middle School ( )