A Tale of Antarctica - Hardcover

Ulco Glimmerveen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 059076361X ISBN 13: 9780590763615

Publisher: Scholastic, New York., 1990

Synopsis

Children's picture story book about penguins in Antarctica with an underlying theme of conservation and environmental protection.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2--A colony of penguins finds its existence threatened when the oil in dustry moves into its formerly pristine Antarctic environment. When Papa penguin returns from a fishing trip cov ered in crude oil, his family realizes his life is in danger so Mama gets human help from "Papa's friend." The book ends abruptly as Papa wonders whether the intruders have left during a storm or whether the preceding was all "a bad dream." Readers will be left with more questions than those the book poses: Who is the man who befriends Papa and why is he nicer than the others? Why is Papa the only bird affected by the oil spill? What species of penguins are these, since they resmble Chinstrap penguins except in their bill color? Is this realism or fantasy? Transitions be tween pages, scenes, and seasons are awkward, and motivations and feelings are ascribed to animals that are beyond belief: penguins are "smart," "dis mayed," and "delighted." Athough Glimmerveen's intent is admirable, es pecially in light of the recent Alaskan oil spill, this highly anthropomorphized story seems out of step with most sci ence writing for children in the last de cade. Attractive watercolor paintings do provide interesting views of a place few readers will visit.
-Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, CT
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic, New York.
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 059076361X
• ISBN 13: 9780590763615
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32