Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth

"At opposite ends of the Earth, the polar regions could not be farther apart. And yet the animals who live in the Arctic and Antarctica have a lot in common. They have adapted to live in the world's harshest environments, surviving extreme cold and continuous days of darkness. In this beautiful book, author L.E. Carmichael and illustrator Byron Eggenschwiler take readers on a journey to explore the animal adaptations that make life possible in these polar habitats. Readers will learn about a lynx's "snowshoe paws" that help it move across the Arctic snow, how a penguin "toboggans" over the ice to reach Antarctica's waters and so much more. But the planet is changing -- faster than scientists could have predicted. And the polar regions are warming faster than any other part of our planet. What does this mean for the creatures that live there? And what does it mean for us? Incredibly timely and relevant, Polar offers a glimpse into two of the most fascinating -- and rapidly changing -- places on Earth."--
This breathtaking exploration of animals that have adapted in order to survive in Earth’s harsh polar regions presents riveting fact-based stories about their unique adaptations in each spread and discusses the impact of climate change and its global consequences. Illustrations.
From the author of the critically acclaimed The Boreal Forest, a stunning exploration of the animals that have adapted to survive in Earth’s harsh polar regions. The Arctic and Antarctica, at opposite ends of the Earth, have much in common: bitter cold, ferocious winds and darkness lasting six months. Despite these harsh conditions, many animals have adapted to stay alive in the polar regions. This evocative and beautifully illustrated book from the award-winning team of author L. E. Carmichael and illustrator Byron Eggenschwiler explores how animals at opposite ends of the Earth survive using similar adaptations. There’s the arctic fox who is protected from the ice by the fur on the soles of her feet, the emperor penguins huddling in groups around their chicks to keep everyone warm, and the narwhal using echolocation to find a crack in the surface ice to breathe. It’s a fascinating journey through a year in the polar regions, where animals don’t just survive - they thrive! Each spread in the book is devoted to a month and includes a themed introduction and two stories on opposites pages, one about an animal in the Arctic and one about an animal in Antarctica. Extra spreads cover topics such as seasons, winter weather and types of ice. The book concludes with a timely description of the disruptions that climate change is causing to the polar regions, and how this will have global consequences. A glossary, further reading, author’s sources, an index and ideas for what children can do to help are included. There are strong life science curriculum applications here in animal habitats and animal adaptation, migration, hibernation and cooperation.
How do animals live in the harshest environments on Earth Despite the bitter cold, ferocious winds and six months of darkness, the polar regions are home to many animals. These creatures can survive because of their unique adaptations, explored here through compelling fact-based stories and evocative illustrations. Readers learn about the arctic fox's furry toe pads that protect her when walking on ice, emperor penguins that huddle in groups around their chicks to keep everyone warm, and narwhals that use echolocation to find a crack in the surface ice to breathe. It's a fascinating journey through a year in the polar regions, where animals don't just survive - they thrive!