Polar: A Photicular Book

Gr 3–6—The team that produced Safari (2012) and Ocean (2014, both Workman) this time tackles the polar regions. Dancing penguins, flying snowy owls, and running sled dogs are among the polar animals portrayed in creations called photiculars, or moving, three-dimensional, hologram-esque depictions. Both poles are described and deftly differentiated: the Arctic is an area of permanently frozen ice, while the continent of Antarctica is completely covered by a layer of ice. Chapters include a photicular and brief information on the animal's size, habitat, range, diet, life span, and population. A page of text fleshes out the summary with detailed factual and often entertaining material. For example, male reindeer shed their antlers in November and grow them back them in the spring, but since females keep their antlers through the winter, Santa's reindeer are all females. Threats to each animal are covered, including the effects of global warming. A glowing photicular of the northern and southern lights finishes this sampling of life on the two poles. The readable and enlightening material makes this a worthy addition. However, the fascinating, almost magical illustrations will easily attract enthusiastic readers and the design might prove too fragile for the wear and tear of circulation.