Protecting the Planet: Emperor of the Ice

By Author / Illustrator

Nicola Davies, Catherine Rayner

Genre

Animals

Age range(s)

Publisher

Walker Books Ltd

ISBN

9781406397086

Format

Hardback

Published

05-01-2023

Synopsis

It's April in Antarctica and, in places so remote that they can only be seen by satellites, lines of Emperor Penguins appear in search of the perfect ice for raising their chicks. A wise old Empress has returned to the ice at Halley Bay year after year; with the help of her mate, she works to protect her newly-laid egg against the bitter winter. But a changing climate is making the Antarctic Ocean warmer - winds are stronger and storms are fiercer...

With luminous illustrations and an introduction by climate scientist Dr Phil Trathan, this is the true story of how the Emperor penguin colony at Halley Bay was disrupted after the sea ice collapsed, and how it's necessary to protect the environment so that these extraordinary survivors will continue to be found in the Antarctic for generations to come.

"Nicola Davies is one of the best children's writers in the business." Huffington Post

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Reviews

This narrative non-fiction text is chock full of facts about the life and trials of the Emperor penguin. The journey begins in an Antarctic April, with winter approaching and leads through the epic journeys these penguins make to breed and feed their youngsters. They are truly awe-inspiring creatures.

Our favourite illustration in Protecting the Planet, Emperor of the Ice is the one when the Empress penguin leaves behind her egg on the feet of her partner to go feed. She disappears into the distance needing to find food after laying her egg, leaving dad to protect the precious load in his pouch. Such dedication. Class 11 voted overwhelmingly for this illustration.

After reading this book, G (aged 9)has said she might want to study penguins as her job because they are so interesting. H (aged 9) wanted to find out how many more species of penguins there are in the world and what we can do to help them. A super book to add to any shelf of a KS2 classroom especially when studying the Antarctic, environments, climate change or migration. Recommended for all KS2.

32 pages / Reviewed by Sharon, teacher