(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Stephen Biesty. Windsor Castle, the Tower of London, and Japan's Osaka Castle are among the structures featured in Biesty's minutely detailed architectural illustrations, which often contain cutaway elements. Each spread is followed by a brief historical account written in an unnecessary fictionalized style and illustrated with color spot art. The book is browsable, but the art is eye-straining. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Lucia deLeiris. Hooper's text traces the history of a fictitious island off the Antarctic Peninsula. Once part of the supercontinent Pangaea, the island is affected by movements of the earth's plates and, over millions of years, drifts away from the mainland. Some technical information appears at book's end instead of being integrated into the text; deLeiris's color illustrations have a static quality. Ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Lucia deLeiris. Hooper describes the three-and-a-half months she and deLeiris spent at Palmer Station, Antarctica, observing marine life such as single-celled marine plants, krill, kestrels, seals, and humpback whales. The realistic watercolors and black-and-white sketches work well with the detailed text, in particular showing the differences among different types of penguins. Maps are included. Ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by M. P. Robertson. Hooper provides a straightforward account of Ernest Shackleton's 1915 voyage to Antarctica, the many months his ship was frozen in pack ice, and his valiant (and successful) effort to retrieve help for his marooned crew. The accompanying watercolors competently convey the drama of the situation, while maps on the endpapers trace the journey. A time line, illustrated with photographs, is included.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Robin Heighway-Bury. Ten men appear one at a time as each declares how he alone built King Senwosret's pyramid. The king gave the command, the chief minister designed it, and the high priest selected the site. Other participants are equally confident in the primacy of their contributions. The bold, visually stunning art emphasizes the men's enormous egos and the monumental importance of the task. Back matter provides tangential historical information. Ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2002

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Vignettes involving Antarctic explorers--including Roald Amundsen, Robert Scott, and Richard Byrd--are presented in simple prose that contains some detailed descriptions of their hardships. The text is accompanied by photographs and unexceptional color illustrations. Occasionally repetitive supplemental information is presented in the margins and may be distracting to this volume's target independent reader audience. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bee Willey. Hooper's rhythmic, sibilant text and Willey's luminous illustrations, dominated by vibrant yellows and greens, trace the course of a river. From the first trickles of melting snow in the mountains to fast-moving streams, the busy river runs along the valley to the city, through the wetlands, and on to its final destination--the ocean. The whole offers an evocative demonstration of the river's development. Ind.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Bert Kitchen. It's Christmas on an Antarctica-bound ship, and Tom must find a quiet place for his pet, Little Rabbit, to build a nest. After a long search, Little Rabbit beds down and delivers a Christmas surprise--seventeen babies. The story is a bit slight, but the textured illustrations provide a vivid glimpse of shipboard life. An author's note on the endpapers gives additional information about the real voyage on which the story is based.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Chris Coady. This explanation of the role of water on Earth includes the formation of the planet, importance of water in sustaining life since its beginning, and the water cycle. The illustrations, which mainly feature plant and animal life, are generally undistinguished. Statements on the importance of conservation and facts about water are located at the end of the book.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford