Iceberg

By Author / Illustrator

Claire Saxby, Jess Racklyeft

Genre

Environment

Age range(s)

Publisher

Allen & Unwin Children's Books

ISBN

9781911679509

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

01-09-2022

Synopsis

WINNER: 2022 CBCA Picture Book of the Year. In the final freeze of an Antarctic winter, green tails wave across a star-full sky, as if to farewell endless nights. If this world looks empty, look closer... Penguins trek across the ice to their winter homes. As the temperature warms, birds fly above on their long migrations. And with the advent of summer, beneath an iceberg, the sea is teeming with life. Ocean, sky, snow and ice - minute greens and giant blues - dance a delicate dance in this evocative portrayal of the life cycle of an iceberg.

'Richly informative and brimming with detailed facts presented in lyrical, sophisticated, evocative language... Text and image balance each other perfectly in their delicate yet powerful tone. An expert merging of knowledge with grace.' Books+Publishing

See Tree by the same creators.

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Reviews

An iceberg calves into the freezing Antarctic sea and begins a journey that takes a year. It passes many animals and creatures from the sea, travelling until it is washed to the shore and can float no more.

This beautiful picture book shows the Antarctic in all its glory. The illustrations by Jess Racklyeft are breathtaking and capture the light of the Antarctic as the year changes. Starting off looking dark and empty, gradually the animals that live there reveal themselves. Penguins trot across the page and whales swim in the icy waters and the Antarctic world comes alive with each turn of the page. The centre pages open up into a riot of life and colour which children will adore looking at.

The text by Claire Saxby is lyrical, almost poetry, and matches the pictures, illustrating the abundance of life alongside the impact of climate change. The combined effect with the illustrations makes this book magical. I can see many teachers will find Iceberg very useful for teaching about Antarctica and climate change; but for me the beauty of the book is where I find its real strength and it is one that will linger in my mind.

Picture book / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris, teacher