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Iceberg
An iceberg shears from a glacier and begins a journey that takes it through Antarctica’s seasons.
Follow the iceberg in the spring as it watches penguins trek across the ice to their winter homes and senses krill stirring underneath the ice. With summer comes more life: the iceberg sees humpback whales spiral and orca gather. And the iceberg moves too, ever shrinking as the sun softens its edges and undersea currents wash it from below. When autumn arrives with cooling temperatures, the sea changes and the iceberg is trapped in the ice for the winter freeze. Then spring returns and the iceberg drifts into a sheltered bay and falls, at the end of its life cycle.
But if you think this is the end of the journey, look closer ― out in the ocean, an iceberg shears from a glacier and settles to the sea, beginning the process anew. Ocean, sky, snow and ice dance a delicate dance in this evocative portrayal of the life cycle of an iceberg.
The poetic text and beautiful illustrations make this a unique nonfiction offering for young readers. This book ends with an author’s note explaining the effects of climate change on the Arctic and Antarctic regions, as well as a map and a glossary.
Follow the iceberg in the spring as it watches penguins trek across the ice to their winter homes and senses krill stirring underneath the ice. With summer comes more life: the iceberg sees humpback whales spiral and orca gather. And the iceberg moves too, ever shrinking as the sun softens its edges and undersea currents wash it from below. When autumn arrives with cooling temperatures, the sea changes and the iceberg is trapped in the ice for the winter freeze. Then spring returns and the iceberg drifts into a sheltered bay and falls, at the end of its life cycle.
But if you think this is the end of the journey, look closer ― out in the ocean, an iceberg shears from a glacier and settles to the sea, beginning the process anew. Ocean, sky, snow and ice dance a delicate dance in this evocative portrayal of the life cycle of an iceberg.
The poetic text and beautiful illustrations make this a unique nonfiction offering for young readers. This book ends with an author’s note explaining the effects of climate change on the Arctic and Antarctic regions, as well as a map and a glossary.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2021
1 person is currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Claire Saxby
78 books29 followersAn Australian writer of fiction, non fiction and poetry for children
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 19, 2022
A book ostensibly about global warming, I think, but it doesn't quite make that clear enough. Instead, it is a book beautifully illustrated by Jess Racklyeft about biodiversity--lots of animals!--in Antarctica, with the main character being a little iceberg that has "calved" off a glacier, floating around. The point would seem to be that most people think of Antarctica as a barren, desolate desert, but a place that is a rich and complex ecosystem.
I just read this point in greater detail in Barry Lopez’s Horizon about the exhilarating beauty and richness we have historically failed to appreciate there, so this is why I picked this up when I saw it at the library.
The artwork is well done; the story itself is slight, ultimately. I think it's lovely to look at.
I just read this point in greater detail in Barry Lopez’s Horizon about the exhilarating beauty and richness we have historically failed to appreciate there, so this is why I picked this up when I saw it at the library.
The artwork is well done; the story itself is slight, ultimately. I think it's lovely to look at.
May 30, 2022
A beautiful story about the change in seasons in Antarctica. It has beautiful animals, deep blues, lovely verse on each page, but felt like it was trying really hard to talk about climate change, with the last few pages grabbing at the issue, when the only hint towards it was reference to glaciers calving throughout the book. I’m also unsure if any preschool children who were read this aloud would understand calving glaciers. Would have been perfect without the stretched reference in the story and just the info page at the end.
3 stars.
3 stars.
September 30, 2021
I love the concept of this book and the writing is beautiful but unfortunately it’s agonizingly overwritten. If it had been simplified and pared back, the book would be perfection. The illustrations are pure magic.
February 23, 2021
A beautifully crafted picture book about the "birth and death" of an iceberg over a year in Antarctica. Lyrical language from Claire Saxby delights, and will encourage further learning. Stunning illustrations from Jess Racklyeft immerse the reader in Antarctica's immensity, introduce numerous animal species, and somehow keep the environment interesting on every page through neat arty tricks. (I.e. it's not bland white snow and ice on every page!) A double fold-out panorama page is worthy of being framed for the wall.
A brief note at the back names climate change, and pleads for environmental action to ensure Antarctica's protection.
Highly recommended.
A brief note at the back names climate change, and pleads for environmental action to ensure Antarctica's protection.
Highly recommended.
May 24, 2021
Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft whisk readers away to the continent of Antarctica in a beautiful and mesmerising read. I will call it early and say that this will be one of the best picture books that I read in 2021.
The Aurora Australis flit across the night sky, the last signs of an Antarctic winter. Spring time, the time of birth and new life. And born from a glacier, something most beautiful…an iceberg. Wildlife begins to stir and awaken. Penguins march, birds swoop, the oceans are alive with krill, fish, orcas, whales, squid and seals. And witnessing it all, the iceberg which is rocked and pushed by the Antarctic winds. As seasons come and go, so does the wildlife. Cooler weather and darker skies signal the time to move, Antarctica slips into a winter slumber of endless nights until the arrival of a new spring. One iceberg is losing its battle to live, slowly succumbing to the ocean but another one is just about to be born. And so the lifecycle of an iceberg repeats…
Iceberg tells the lifecycle of a single iceberg from birth to death in Antarctica, charting its life from Spring to Spring the following year. Readers are immersed into the spectacular environment of Antarctica as they witness the changing of the seasons, the wildlife that comes and goes and the delicate balance of an ecosystem that is suffering the consequences of human actions.
The utterly beautiful book is informative, detailed and chock full of facts. Saxby’s poetic prose are vocabulary rich and deserve to be read slowly and savoured. It is the kind of book that will fill children with awe and wonder. From the first page to the last, readers will be whispering ‘wows’, ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’. Every turn of the page is breathtaking and is a visual treat as the the incredible landscape of Antarctica, both above and beneath the ice, is revealed and brought to life. Jess Racklyeft’s evocative illustrations bring colour and energy to a landscape that is a far stretch from perhaps our impressions of a simple blue and white. A stunning double fold out page is mightily impressive and would not look out of place in an art gallery.
Whilst beautiful and magical, Iceberg presents a bleak and sad picture of the effects of global warming and climate change. In Antarctica, the icebergs and polar glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, habitats are being lost and ever rising sea temperatures pose a massive problem. This is emphasised by Saxby’s heartfelt afterword which serves as an important and impassioned plea to take care of the planet and to help protect its delicate ecosystems.
Iceberg is a masterpiece and is a book that I will be going back to time and time again to get lost in its powerful words and to immerse myself in the wonderful landscapes. Expect this book to be winning many awards in 2021.
Recommended for 5+.
The Aurora Australis flit across the night sky, the last signs of an Antarctic winter. Spring time, the time of birth and new life. And born from a glacier, something most beautiful…an iceberg. Wildlife begins to stir and awaken. Penguins march, birds swoop, the oceans are alive with krill, fish, orcas, whales, squid and seals. And witnessing it all, the iceberg which is rocked and pushed by the Antarctic winds. As seasons come and go, so does the wildlife. Cooler weather and darker skies signal the time to move, Antarctica slips into a winter slumber of endless nights until the arrival of a new spring. One iceberg is losing its battle to live, slowly succumbing to the ocean but another one is just about to be born. And so the lifecycle of an iceberg repeats…
Iceberg tells the lifecycle of a single iceberg from birth to death in Antarctica, charting its life from Spring to Spring the following year. Readers are immersed into the spectacular environment of Antarctica as they witness the changing of the seasons, the wildlife that comes and goes and the delicate balance of an ecosystem that is suffering the consequences of human actions.
The utterly beautiful book is informative, detailed and chock full of facts. Saxby’s poetic prose are vocabulary rich and deserve to be read slowly and savoured. It is the kind of book that will fill children with awe and wonder. From the first page to the last, readers will be whispering ‘wows’, ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’. Every turn of the page is breathtaking and is a visual treat as the the incredible landscape of Antarctica, both above and beneath the ice, is revealed and brought to life. Jess Racklyeft’s evocative illustrations bring colour and energy to a landscape that is a far stretch from perhaps our impressions of a simple blue and white. A stunning double fold out page is mightily impressive and would not look out of place in an art gallery.
Whilst beautiful and magical, Iceberg presents a bleak and sad picture of the effects of global warming and climate change. In Antarctica, the icebergs and polar glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, habitats are being lost and ever rising sea temperatures pose a massive problem. This is emphasised by Saxby’s heartfelt afterword which serves as an important and impassioned plea to take care of the planet and to help protect its delicate ecosystems.
Iceberg is a masterpiece and is a book that I will be going back to time and time again to get lost in its powerful words and to immerse myself in the wonderful landscapes. Expect this book to be winning many awards in 2021.
Recommended for 5+.
December 23, 2021
Absolutely gorgeous and captivating book that follows an iceberg through the cycle of seasons. The hauntingly beautiful illustrations draw you in, inviting you to look for the beauty in the landscape. "If this world looks empty, look closer." Alongside, we have lyrical poetry telling the story of the iceberg. Amazing.
April 1, 2022
Gorgeous, translucent illustrations accompany this lyrical exploration of the seasons and wildlife in the Antarctic. The narrative opens in the darkness of winter. Then an iceberg calves and floats away from the mainland, heralding the start of Spring. As the berg floats through the seasons, krill emerge and the predators that eat them feast. Penguins, leopard seals, orcas, terns, cormorants, humpback whales, etc. make their appearances, along with animals the reader is not as likely to be familiar with, like shearwaters and salps. A glorious full spread shows all of the activity that's happening below the surface of the sea. Over the span of a year, the berg grows smaller. It lists and then falls. Nothing in this environment remains the same. And even though the Antarctic may sometimes look lifeless, there is always life in the water, under the ice, or in the skies. The author provides a glossary explaining terms that may be unfamiliar and a brief note describing the effects of climate change on both poles. The illustrations are so beautiful, I find myself going back to marvel at how the illustrator created such a sense of depth to the water. And I also enjoyed revisiting descriptions in the text, particularly unusual use of language like "flip-edged pancakes," "terns wheel overhead," "Fish-fat and sleek, the emperors belly slap," and "green tails wave across a star-full sky." Text and illustrations resonate perfectly. A gorgeous nonfiction book that should ignite children's interest as they learn about the seasons and the cycles of life in the polar regions. (review of a PDF downloaded from Edelweiss)
November 21, 2022
This is a beautiful, lyric book. It was very calming to read it. I can see it working really well as a bedtime story book. Yes, I like a good nonfiction book that is packed with information, but this book has magical powers! It's mesmerizing. I can see young readers having a strong visceral reaction to this book.
I actually audibly gasped when I folded out two pages that face each other, which results in an underwater scene that is four pages long. It was beautiful!
Saxby writes the lyric words and Racklyeft creates the illustrations. The result does explain about the ice, the land, the sea, the sky, the sea life (penguins, orca, krill, terns, cormorants, humpback whales, seals, squid, shearwaters). There are several terms for different ice formations as the iceberg changes from season to season.
The back matter includes "More Information about Our Polar Regions" and a glossary.
Oh, I want someone to read this book to me every night to lull me to sleep with the beauty and motion of the icebergs and the lifeforms that life on them, proximate to them.
I actually audibly gasped when I folded out two pages that face each other, which results in an underwater scene that is four pages long. It was beautiful!
Saxby writes the lyric words and Racklyeft creates the illustrations. The result does explain about the ice, the land, the sea, the sky, the sea life (penguins, orca, krill, terns, cormorants, humpback whales, seals, squid, shearwaters). There are several terms for different ice formations as the iceberg changes from season to season.
The back matter includes "More Information about Our Polar Regions" and a glossary.
Oh, I want someone to read this book to me every night to lull me to sleep with the beauty and motion of the icebergs and the lifeforms that life on them, proximate to them.
March 28, 2021
A fascinating window into Antarctica - environment, seasons, climate and living things - through the ecosystem sustained by and around an iceberg. Through lyrical and descriptive prose, Saxby provides a wealth of inforamti0n that is easily digested with the support of stylised, but sufficiently accurate illustrations to present a vivid and captivating window into this frozen continent. A double page opening spread of this underwater world presents the various creatures.
There is a strong but subtle undercurrent of sustainability and food chains to maintain life that is supported with a concluding, hand written message on the impact of global warming.
Excellent example of literary nonfiction.
There is a strong but subtle undercurrent of sustainability and food chains to maintain life that is supported with a concluding, hand written message on the impact of global warming.
Excellent example of literary nonfiction.
March 6, 2023
This picture book follows the life of an iceberg through the seasons, making use of beautifully descriptive, evocative poetry and stunning watercolors. The pages are large, and some of them fold out to double their normal size to invite the reader into the vast world of the Antarctic Ocean with all its life forms, land and ice formations, and plays of light and dark. The book invites one to linger over each page and read the words aloud while seeking out the details in the illustrations.
The afterword provides a few facts about the polar regions and some of the ways in which global warming affects them. There is also a glossary that will be helpful for the young science enthusiast.
All in all, a great book for gift giving, and sharing with a child.
The afterword provides a few facts about the polar regions and some of the ways in which global warming affects them. There is also a glossary that will be helpful for the young science enthusiast.
All in all, a great book for gift giving, and sharing with a child.
April 9, 2025
The complex language and tongue twisting text make this a book to go slowly with. Possibly more suitable for older primary students, and could even work with preteens/teens, as there are many terms that might need looking up. This makes it valuable as an inquiry book, where everyone could learn something new. I had to look up 'Calves'.
The book covers what the the shift in seasons might look like in a continent that very few of us get to visit, and highlights what is happening in nature, well beyond what the eye can see. A great concept wherever you are.
Wonderful to have a book about Antarctica.
The book covers what the the shift in seasons might look like in a continent that very few of us get to visit, and highlights what is happening in nature, well beyond what the eye can see. A great concept wherever you are.
Wonderful to have a book about Antarctica.
May 11, 2022
4.5 stars.
Beautiful art and sonorous language evoke the Antarctic landscape wonderfully (seriously it does; I've been there).
The drawings have lots of texture and detail; I love the shadowy animals and fish lurking in the waters.
The story is framed by the cycle of seasons and the circle of life, and invites discussions about ecology, animals, and environmentalism without appearing didactic.
The rich vocab offers much potential for a dramatic read-aloud, perfect for both regular- and STEM-themed storytimes.
Beautiful art and sonorous language evoke the Antarctic landscape wonderfully (seriously it does; I've been there).
The drawings have lots of texture and detail; I love the shadowy animals and fish lurking in the waters.
The story is framed by the cycle of seasons and the circle of life, and invites discussions about ecology, animals, and environmentalism without appearing didactic.
The rich vocab offers much potential for a dramatic read-aloud, perfect for both regular- and STEM-themed storytimes.
June 12, 2022
Similar to Great White Shark also written by Claire, this non-fiction narrative picture story however focuses on the environment of Antarctica and it's seasons. In doing so it shows environmental changes both natural and explains the effect of climate change, by focusing on the potential life cycle damage of multiple species from too much sea ice melt.
It shows the amazing number of animals that call Antarctica their home some permanently and others seasonally, and that whilst Antarctica seems quite and desolate it is anything but.
Beautifully informative.
It shows the amazing number of animals that call Antarctica their home some permanently and others seasonally, and that whilst Antarctica seems quite and desolate it is anything but.
Beautifully informative.
November 3, 2022
Iceberg is a lyrical, almost poetic description of the life and seasons of an iceberg. The freezing oasis of the Antarctic is described and painted in a lovely ethereal style, showing the bounteous life under, on, and around the ice. Our actions, far away, causes shifts in this distant land. This book inspires wonder and appreciation for a far-away habitat, without being overly-technical or boring.
Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
November 29, 2022
Each illustration in this book is a work of art, accompanied by a wonderfully descriptive narrative. The iceberg comes to life after the winter freeze and at each stage is surrounded by creatures of the sea and sky. A gorgeous fold out page reveals an undersea world full of movement and vitality. Readers will experience the changes of the seasons, as the iceberg transforms from stillness to abundant activity.
February 12, 2022
The life of an iceberg is more than just a piece of floating ice. It gives wildlife a haven and allows for rest.
This was awesome! Learn about the different types of wildlife that flock around icebergs, what causes icebergs, and much more!
There is a handy glossary in the back which gives descriptions of the wildlife and other terms used throughout the book. Highly recommend!
This was awesome! Learn about the different types of wildlife that flock around icebergs, what causes icebergs, and much more!
There is a handy glossary in the back which gives descriptions of the wildlife and other terms used throughout the book. Highly recommend!
August 10, 2022
Beautiful illustrations, especially the fold out pages, wonderful messaging, but SO SO overwritten. I don’t know if any thought was given to reading it out (consider it being a picture book), but it was an absolute tongue twister on every page!
September 30, 2022
A picture book with lyrical writing and a depth of content. It explores the cycles of nature, the diversity of animal life, and the complexities of ecosystems. A lot that can be discussed with young readers.
December 2, 2022
A lovely, dreamy picture book that shows the life around and changes imposed on an Antarctic iceberg over a year. I really like these picture books that appeal to children's curiosity and also their sense of visual and verbal beauty.
January 31, 2023
"This world is not empty,
nor ever still.
Far from the places we know,
it feels everything we do."
Well deserving of winning the CBCA Picture Book of the Year 2022.
The fold out 4 page spread is spectacular.
September 29, 2025
“In the pale morning an iceberg calves - shears from a glacier and plunges to the ocean in a haze of sparkle-frost.
The iceberg is flat-topped, sharp and angular and carries ancient weather in its layers of ice-clothing; a coat for each year volcanoes blew and black ash fell like snow.”
The iceberg is flat-topped, sharp and angular and carries ancient weather in its layers of ice-clothing; a coat for each year volcanoes blew and black ash fell like snow.”
Want to read
February 8, 2022Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
February 22, 2022
I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
April 6, 2022
Beautiful, poetic writing; accurate science. Not moralistic or preachy. Luminous illustrations. Great addition to elementary science libraries.
May 21, 2022
A book about global warming.
December 4, 2022
Beautiful illustrations, but the text was all over the place. There wasn't really working, and I had a hard time reading it out loud
December 23, 2022
Lyrical text and stunning illustrations - this book begs to be shared!
August 19, 2022
Qwaawe
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2023
Stunning. Beautiful illustrations. Gorgeous lyrical language. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews