Arctic A to Z (A to Z (Firefly Books)) - Softcover

The alphabetical format is accessible, the subjects are well chosen, and the photography is first class.--Karen Werner, formerly at San Francisco Public Lib"School Library Journal" (12/31/2009) An eclectic collection of stories about some of the most interesting phenomena and organisms encompassed by the arctic, the slender volume adds up to a fascinating portrait of life beyond the tree line. Accounts include those of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, and animals such as the narwhal. From eagles that follow grizzly bears to share in or steal food finds to the beluga whale that does not let a few inches of ice impede its movement, one account is as interesting as the next. The book makes ideal cozy-chair reading for an adult in the company of young children of multiple ages or for an independent young reader.-- (04/01/2010) This entry in a limited series that offers surveys of various species in abcdedarian form focuses on the adaptations that allow the people, animals and plants that make their home in the Arctic to survive, as well as on the natural phenomena that make this such a special place, from the Aurora borealis to zooplankton. The strongest of the three titles, it defines new words, explains concepts and provides word pronunciations within the text, accompanied by stunning photographs. The length of each gloss-two to three densely set paragraphs-skews the book to older elementary students, but adept caregivers can make the photos work with younger audiences. (joint review with Insects A to Z and Birds A to Z)-- (11/15/2009)

A beautifully illustrated dictionary of 26 key aspects of life in the Arctic. World-class photographer and science writer Wayne Lynch takes readers to one of his favorite parts of the world: the Arctic. Using a plant, an animal or a phenomenon for each letter of the alphabet, Lynch describes the unique ways in which systems for living differ where temperature and light can be amazingly extreme. But Lynch also dispels the myth of the Arctic as a perpetually frozen landscape by introducing us to the birds, mammals, insects and plant life that thrive in the short yet glorious sun-filled days of summer.