What do you think?
Rate this book
Antarctica
Book by Cowcher, Helen
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
2 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 23, 2022
Yes, Helen Cowcher’s artwork for her 1990 non-fiction picture book Antarctica is indeed very much delightful, visually appealing and as such it also provides a colourful and descriptive aesthetic mirror to and for her (own) printed words (although personally, I rather think that Cowcher’s illustrations of seals could be just a trifle more realistic looking, as they do to and for my eyes appear a bit more stylised and somewhat more unrealistic than her Adélie and Emperor Penguin pictures).
And textually, verbally speaking, Helen Cowcher’s presented descriptions in Antarctica of specifically penguins and seals breeding (or at least attempting to reproduce) in Antarctica, including the chaos caused for the Adélie Penguin colony by the sudden appearance and relentless noise of a helicopter and an icebreaker (and how this causes the penguins to abandon their nests and their eggs in a panic, never to return), they are rather verbally simple but with enough detail to provide both a decent enough introduction to Antarctic penguins and seals for the so-called picture book crowd, for children from about the age of four to eight or so and to also show (although with in my opinion not really sufficient detail on how humans are with our helicopters, ships, icebreakers etc. negatively interfering with fragile ecosystems, and indeed, I also have an issue with Helen Cowcher writing that in order to reach their breeding grounds the Adélie Penguins must go past the Emperor Penguins and their chicks, since Emperor Penguins nest much further south, much closer to the South Pole than Adélie Penguins do).
Therefore, while I certainly do recommend Antarctica (although that Helen Cowcher does not include a bibliography is certainly more than a bit troubling), I both personally and academically also very strongly believe that Helen Cowcher should most definitely be presenting and providing considerably more textual information and details on in particular the increasing human presence in Antarctica (and Helen Cowcher not only mention in Antarctica that helicopters etc. can and do disrupt and panic Antarctic birds and seals but she should in my opinion be pointing out also how the damage might for example be mitigated with machines that are less noisy, and that helicopters in particular are at least in my humble opinion a technological monster that really should only be used in Antarctica and in other fragile ecosystems for absolute emergencies, and not for standard research and transportation purposes).
And textually, verbally speaking, Helen Cowcher’s presented descriptions in Antarctica of specifically penguins and seals breeding (or at least attempting to reproduce) in Antarctica, including the chaos caused for the Adélie Penguin colony by the sudden appearance and relentless noise of a helicopter and an icebreaker (and how this causes the penguins to abandon their nests and their eggs in a panic, never to return), they are rather verbally simple but with enough detail to provide both a decent enough introduction to Antarctic penguins and seals for the so-called picture book crowd, for children from about the age of four to eight or so and to also show (although with in my opinion not really sufficient detail on how humans are with our helicopters, ships, icebreakers etc. negatively interfering with fragile ecosystems, and indeed, I also have an issue with Helen Cowcher writing that in order to reach their breeding grounds the Adélie Penguins must go past the Emperor Penguins and their chicks, since Emperor Penguins nest much further south, much closer to the South Pole than Adélie Penguins do).
Therefore, while I certainly do recommend Antarctica (although that Helen Cowcher does not include a bibliography is certainly more than a bit troubling), I both personally and academically also very strongly believe that Helen Cowcher should most definitely be presenting and providing considerably more textual information and details on in particular the increasing human presence in Antarctica (and Helen Cowcher not only mention in Antarctica that helicopters etc. can and do disrupt and panic Antarctic birds and seals but she should in my opinion be pointing out also how the damage might for example be mitigated with machines that are less noisy, and that helicopters in particular are at least in my humble opinion a technological monster that really should only be used in Antarctica and in other fragile ecosystems for absolute emergencies, and not for standard research and transportation purposes).
Read
November 9, 2017Antarctica written by Helen Coacher is an informational/nonfiction picture books for children. In this story, Helen describes life in the beautiful land of Antarctica. Through the lives of penguins, Cowcher educates young readers on the days, nights and seasons of Antarctica. This story also provides information on how penguins survive amongst other animals, hunts for food and prepares for the birth of their new babies. Beyond the words and illustrations, students go through different avenues of ELA such as vocabulary, summarizing, comparing and contrasting and/or analyzing the author's purpose.
I would use this kind of text with various grade levels. I think Antarctica would be the perfect story to use for first graders, in a cross-curriculum lesson engaging reading and science. For the reading portion, I will model a read aloud, during a science lesson. I think it would be a great opportunity for students to explore a new part of the world and engage prior knowledge or irrelevant piece of information. I would also enjoy using this story with upper grades, such as third grade in ELA. I would provide them with the text in some form so we could model shared reading and focus on summarizing the text, including the sequence of main events.
I would use this kind of text with various grade levels. I think Antarctica would be the perfect story to use for first graders, in a cross-curriculum lesson engaging reading and science. For the reading portion, I will model a read aloud, during a science lesson. I think it would be a great opportunity for students to explore a new part of the world and engage prior knowledge or irrelevant piece of information. I would also enjoy using this story with upper grades, such as third grade in ELA. I would provide them with the text in some form so we could model shared reading and focus on summarizing the text, including the sequence of main events.
February 23, 2017
A short enough read for young children that can encourage discussion about the human impact on a pristine land. Emperor and Adelie penguins, Weddell and leopard seals, and Skuas are all briefly introduced as are the machines and noises of man--the icebreakers with their crunching and crashing and the whirring of helicopters. The book has an open ending: what will happen to animals who know their natural predators and prey with this new creature in the picture? Recommended for grade 2-6. Lovely artwork.
June 22, 2010
The subtle message in Antarctica by Helen Cowcher comes ringing through as penguins are frightened and displaced by human machinery. Kids may not immediately pick up on the environmental message, but with a little discussion its meaning will be evident.
Used for "World Traveler's Club-Antarctica"-Storytime: June, 2010 and
"Penguin Party" Storytime: July, 2010.
Used for "World Traveler's Club-Antarctica"-Storytime: June, 2010 and
"Penguin Party" Storytime: July, 2010.
February 12, 2018
Nice little book about the life of a penguin and seals and how they raise their young. This book is full of interesting facts about these animals. This book also gives a point of view of how these animals behave when their life is interrupted by human.
The pictures are realistic and fun. I could see the 1st to 2nd grade child really enjoying this book.
The pictures are realistic and fun. I could see the 1st to 2nd grade child really enjoying this book.
May 11, 2012
Overview of the animals that live and reproduce in Antarctica along with a message about the potential human-induced dangers that face these animals. Illustrations are really bold and colorful.
December 18, 2014
this was the first nonfiction book i have read with lumi. it's kind of exciting to start this phase of her reading life.
June 16, 2017
This book begins with the reproductive story of the Emperor penguin. The female lays the egg and the male keeps it warm when the female goes to see to eat. A ferocious leopard seal appears but the female penguin wards off danger and returns to the male. The chick has hatched! The male leaves to the sea, looking for food.
The story continues with a Weddell seal climbing onto the ice to have her pup and the Adelie penguins passing by the Emperor chicks on their way to the shore. They use rocks to build their nests for their eggs. A helicopter appears and frightens the animals. Skusa, a form of bird, swoops in and snatches the Adelies eggs. The Waddell seals are also in danger of a large ship. These animals have all lived in harmony with each other, but the humans invading their home are dangerous.
This book was cute. The childish illustrations softened the harsh reality that humans are invading Antarctica and the natural habitat of many animals. Many possible angles could be used to teach with this book.
The story continues with a Weddell seal climbing onto the ice to have her pup and the Adelie penguins passing by the Emperor chicks on their way to the shore. They use rocks to build their nests for their eggs. A helicopter appears and frightens the animals. Skusa, a form of bird, swoops in and snatches the Adelies eggs. The Waddell seals are also in danger of a large ship. These animals have all lived in harmony with each other, but the humans invading their home are dangerous.
This book was cute. The childish illustrations softened the harsh reality that humans are invading Antarctica and the natural habitat of many animals. Many possible angles could be used to teach with this book.
October 23, 2017
1. Awards: None
2. Appropriate grade level(s): Kindergarten through third grade
3. Original 3-line summary: This book teaches about some of the different animals in Antarctica. It gives the story of the different types of penguins and how they interact with seals, birds, and people. The reader gets to learn a little bit about each animal the writer brings in.
4. Original 3-line review: I think this book is a cute idea to get the information across to young readers. It turns the “learning information” aspect into more of a story, by having the animals have emotions. It allows the student who doesn’t like factual books to have more of a story to read instead of only facts.
5. 2-3 possible in-class uses:
• Have the older students pick which animal in the book they want to research further and make a project how they want.
• Make a class-wide poster of all different animals in the Antarctica
2. Appropriate grade level(s): Kindergarten through third grade
3. Original 3-line summary: This book teaches about some of the different animals in Antarctica. It gives the story of the different types of penguins and how they interact with seals, birds, and people. The reader gets to learn a little bit about each animal the writer brings in.
4. Original 3-line review: I think this book is a cute idea to get the information across to young readers. It turns the “learning information” aspect into more of a story, by having the animals have emotions. It allows the student who doesn’t like factual books to have more of a story to read instead of only facts.
5. 2-3 possible in-class uses:
• Have the older students pick which animal in the book they want to research further and make a project how they want.
• Make a class-wide poster of all different animals in the Antarctica
September 19, 2017
Summary:
This nonfiction story is set in Antarctica, which follows penguins and seals reactions to human machinery moving into their environment. The book teaches about penguins, seals, and the environmental impact humans are having on their environment in Antarctica.
Evaluation:
This book is valuable to demonstrate how we are taking over the world in harmful ways. This gives students a conscious view of environmental harm that comes with industry.
Teaching Points:
This book would be good to each the effects of industry on the environment from an animals perspective. I think this gives students a new way to look at a heavily overlooked subject, that may give them more insight to the harmful way our industries work.
This nonfiction story is set in Antarctica, which follows penguins and seals reactions to human machinery moving into their environment. The book teaches about penguins, seals, and the environmental impact humans are having on their environment in Antarctica.
Evaluation:
This book is valuable to demonstrate how we are taking over the world in harmful ways. This gives students a conscious view of environmental harm that comes with industry.
Teaching Points:
This book would be good to each the effects of industry on the environment from an animals perspective. I think this gives students a new way to look at a heavily overlooked subject, that may give them more insight to the harmful way our industries work.
October 4, 2017
Antarctica is about the realities of the realities of penguins living in Antarctica. It shows the penguins going out on hunts, leaving their eggs with their mates. It shows them narrowly escaping a leopard seal. Most importantly, it shows the detrimental effects of people invading their environment.
This book is very educational, and I really enjoyed it. It uses specific names of species of penguins, which is very good for small children. It also makes children aware of the dangerous aspect of humans invading environment, showing them the aftermath of a helicopter landing near where they were taking care of their eggs. I would use this book for a science lesson about wildlife, specifically penguins, in a classroom as young as second or first grade.
This book is very educational, and I really enjoyed it. It uses specific names of species of penguins, which is very good for small children. It also makes children aware of the dangerous aspect of humans invading environment, showing them the aftermath of a helicopter landing near where they were taking care of their eggs. I would use this book for a science lesson about wildlife, specifically penguins, in a classroom as young as second or first grade.
October 9, 2017
Summary:This is a simple story about the life of the penguins who live in Antarctica, telling about their lifestyles and lifecycles. The story then goes into telling about what happens when humans come to Antarctica, and how they cause trauma to the various creatures living there by bringing their helicopters and boats.
Evaluation:This would be an excellent book to use for scientific information, as well as engaging students using a story. Additionally, it is very well written and the illustrations are very realistic.
Teaching Idea:This book could be used when teaching about continents, climate, animal life, life cycles, human awareness, and the arctic environment.
October 22, 2020
Definitely a good, informational premise and wonderful illustrations, but given that human beings are reading this, it would have been good to present information alternatives to Antarctic research that aren't so disruptive or environmentally unfriendly. Maybe it's not possible at all. But just food for thought.
December 10, 2021
Beautiful illustrations with simple language. It teaches and doesn't sugar coat, telling the reader about what animals prey on what animals and what kinds of events contribute to the loss of life. It might be a little preachy for some, especially because the end focuses on how humans and human technology are the biggest threat.
September 7, 2017
Con este libro informativo aprendí mucho mas sobre las animales que habitan en la Antártida y tuve la oportunidad de reflexionar sobre las consecuencias que tiene la acción del hombre en esos lugares.Es un abre-bocas para profundizar mas sobre el tema.
October 21, 2017
I liked it until the negative portrayal of humans in the end. I would not read this to a child as it implies that all human exploration is negative with explosions. I'd rather teach a child how we can positively interact with nature.
December 3, 2017
This book would be great for 2nd grade and above to read. However, this book would also serve as a wonderful read aloud book too. This book has wonderful illustrations and provides new science and animal vocabulary/terms to learn through context and visuals.
May 23, 2018
good environmental message (animals have always had to contend with enemies like seals and whales and birds but now a new enemy: humans are encroaching. Will the humans destroy their habitat?).
good for storytime or classroom projects for early grades.
good for storytime or classroom projects for early grades.
Read
September 22, 2020An absolutely exquisitely illustrated book (though as a small child the leopard seal page terrified me!) about the animals in the Antarctic, and the potential threat that the arrival of humans has upon their existence.
September 17, 2021
Beautiful artwork and a pensive environmental tale, told from the perspective of the penguins and seals that inhabit Antarctica. Coming in at 40 pages, this was my pick for the 2021 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge advanced prompt "the shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list."
January 30, 2018
A story that illustrates the life of an emperor penguin and how their life is impacted by humans. Nice IDU example science, art, and writing
March 26, 2019
Very cute.
May 8, 2019
Informative but not a good bedtime story.
March 29, 2020
A nice addition to my classroom library. It’s a simple (lower-level) book, but the illustrations are eye-catching! It’s an educational book and I like the human involvement from the animals POV.
April 13, 2020
Stunning pictures!! Gentle introduction to life on Antarctica.
May 14, 2021
Alissa was so sad when the skua birds broke the eggs.
March 8, 2022
This was an excellent book to use with my students when we studied penguins and Antarctica.
January 15, 2024
We need to be careful not to endanger and scare the animals.
March 5, 2017
Fair to middling book with general info about penguins and an environmentalist message.
September 29, 2016
This book is fairly informational for younger kids. It talks about penguins and seals in Antarctica and gives a background of the fear they may have when humans bring unknown objects to their habitat.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews