The Indestructible Tom Crean: Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic

by Jennifer Thermes

Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Antarctica is the last unexplored continent. The ice is unforgiving. It can break the human spirit. It takes many men willing to face hardship, danger, and years away from home to journey to this uncharted end of the earth. This is the story of one. His name is Tom Crean.

The Indestructible Tom Crean reveals the incredible true stories of Crean's adventures on the Discovery , Terra Nova , and Endurance expeditions. He hauls eight-hundred-pound sleds full of supplies, escapes from drifting ice floes, and trudges miles alone across a treacherous ice shelf. When the Endurance becomes trapped in the frozen sea and sinks, it is up to Crean and several others to go for help. They sail a tiny lifeboat through the most violent seas in the world and cross a daunting glacial mountain range by foot in order to save their fellow explorers. Tom Crean's heroic acts of courage, perseverance, and teamwork inspire the men to keep going.

Through dazzling mapwork and vivid illustrations, Jennifer Thermes brings a formidable landscape and the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration to life.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, History, Adventure, Biography Memoir, Childrens

56 pages, Hardcover

First published January 19, 2023

About the author

JENNIFER THERMES is an award-winning children’s book author-illustrator and map illustrator. Her nonfiction picture book The Indestructible Tom Crean recently received the Bank Street College of Education’s 2024 Flora Stieglitz Straus Award in the Younger Reader category and is an ALSC Notable Children’s Book. Both Tom Crean and her book A Place Called America were named to the Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2023 list. She also creates black & white maps for middle-grade and young adult novels including the bestselling Vanderbeekers series. Jennifer is fascinated by big-picture ideas that span history, adventure, and the natural world, and weaves maps throughout her stories to explore new places and visualize how the past connects to our lives today.

To learn more please visit www.jenniferthermes.com, @jenthermes on Twitter and @jenniferthermes on Instagram.

Reviews

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this children’s book by the cover, not gonna lie. The soft pastels and the combination of watercolors & colored pencils (and salt, apparently. Who knew?!) infuses the icy setting with warmth and sunny vibes. The cozy mood it creates is all the more important considering that the history presented in the account of Tom Crean is at times rather sad. (The dogs. I’m not crying…. you’re crying!) It’s a history, however, that will appeal to the little adventurers among us. From crashing waves to cracking ice, frostbite, seasickness, loneliness, shipwrecks, and mountain climbing, young explorers-at-heart will drink in the vivid scenes and dramatic tales with bated breath.

Bottom Line: The Indestructible Tom Crean by Jennifer Thermes is a beautifully illustrated and educational picture book that would make a nice addition to a homeschool or classroom library. The illustrations are quite eye-catching, varying in style and mood from timelines reminiscent of old newspaper headlines, living maps, stark landscapes, and snapshot cels laid out in film reel succession. Way back when I taught school, my third graders would have LOVED it! My nephews (1st grade & kindergarten) will definitely enjoy the pictures, though I’m not sure the text will hold their interest for at home ‘fun’ reading. However, in the context of a school lesson, this would assuredly appeal to them over a textbook, making the history come alive for their adventurous minds.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Karlen HK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested this from the library because I love polar exploration stories and wondered if my girls (3 and 5) might find it interesting. They enjoyed this book so much they asked if we could buy a copy to have at home, and they have told numerous friends and family all about Tom Crean.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

On February 2, 1925, a man and a team of dogs arrived by sled in the community of Nome, Alaska. Gunnar Kaassen and Balto, the lead dog, became instant heroes for the delivery of a life-saving serum. The children of Nome were battling a disease, diphtheria, and desperately needed the antitoxin. Kaassen and his team drove the last leg, about fifty-five miles, of the serum's journey from Anchorage, Alaska, more than one thousand miles away.

For many years there were people who didn't know that without the efforts of Leonhard Seppala and his lead dog, Togo, the last leg of the race might have been different. Seppala, Togo and his other dogs left Nome to meet another team with the serum coming from Nulato. They then traveled back toward Nome to give it to yet another musher and his dogs who gave it to Kaassen's team. Leonhard Seppala with Togo in the lead traveled a total of 261 miles, the farthest of any musher and their dogs. And they crossed Norton Sound twice in treacherous conditions.

Often in the chronicling of events, those in the lead seem to garner more attention then those working as hard or harder, but more in the background. After reading The Indestructible Tom Crean: Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic (Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House, January 24, 2023) written and illustrated by Jennifer Thermes, you will understand the importance of those with special and specific talents to a group effort. It is their determination and steadfastness that can alter the outcome, sometimes between life and death.

My full recommendation https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explorers—especially of the South Pole—had dangerous and bitterly cruel fates. Poor Tom Crean, a poor Irish lad with few options who joins the British Navy. He ends up in some of the most deadly and wretched missions you can imagine as explorers [a.k.a. rich people looking for bragging rights] race to discover the South Pole. This book does the best it can to make this astonishing adventure appropriate for children, but the truth of the matter is that sled dogs and horses were mercy-killed and people froze to death in their huts. No word on how many fingers and toes Tom Crean was able to return home with… 🥶

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visually soft book about a super tough guy and an even tougher environment. On the longer side for a picture book but so very fascinating to read, especially as a historical piece on the exploration of Antartica. Back matter is wildly informative and full of facts kids will love.

[Renee Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!!!!!!

[Regine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charmingly illustrated tales of the three Antarctic expeditions the indestructible Tom Crean participated in. The tone is light, but the conditions were harrowing. It took perseverance, skill, and luck to survive.

As the snow falls, and the temperature plummets here, closing schools and rendering roads treacherous, it boggles my mind to imagine what the Antarctic explorers endured… and why.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does an excellent job describing the harrowing journeys to understand Antarctica. However, for me the ‘cuteness’ of the illustration belie the brutality of the narrative.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

During his years as a sailor, Tom Crean served on the crews of three Antarctic expeditions. He survived hunger, freezing temperatures, bitter Antarctic storms, and the loss of animal companions. He saved the lives of other crew members on more than one occasion. Thermes's book beautifully highlights some of the events that Crean experienced and the choices made by him and others. Interestingly, much of the information about Crean's choices and heroics comes from his compatriots, since apparently he never shared much about his experiences himself. After a brief introduction, the book focuses on the three expeditions. The text and illustrations blend beautifully into a marvelous account of the incredible challenges that surround exploring the Antarctic continent and the numerous ways that things went wrong on all three expeditions. Frostbite, snow blindness, broken ice, loss of animals, and even some human deaths. What I found fascinating though was that Crean kept coming back, even after the difficulties he and the other crews experienced the first two times. Each time he returned a higher rank than before, having proven himself over and over again. He too, like others before him, must have found the continent an incredible draw. Thermes's lovely watercolor and colored pencil illustrations perfectly highlight the incredible beauties of the landscape. The amount of work that must have gone into the numerous and detailed illustrations is incredible. This is a child appropriate introduction to a remarkable man and the remarkable experiences he had during his lifetime. I appreciate the maps, and back matter that gives additional information about Tom Crean, as well as a time line, and select sources. Another beautiful book from a great author/illustrator.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a truly fascinating story about the exploration of Antarctica. Tom Crean was born in Ireland. He was from a large but poor farming family so he joined the British Royal Navy. While at port in New Zealand, Tom had the opportunity to join the crew of Discovery - to sail with Captain Scott to explore Antarctica from 1901 - 1904. The Discovery became trapped in the ice for two years. But finally the ship broke free and sailed back to England. Six years later, Captain Scott invited Tom to join another dangerous mission to Antarctica on the Terra Nova. Tom survived - largely because he was not chosen to be part of the group to race to the South Pole. When he returned to Great Britain, he was awarded the Albert Medal for bravery.
One year later, Captain Ernest Shackleton asked Tom to join his expedition on the Endurance from 1914 - 1917. Shackleton was warned that the Antarctic ice was exceptionally thick that year but he did not pay attention and sailed anyway. The Endurance quickly became trapped in the ice. Since the water under the ice was moving, the ship moved also - and went off course. Then the ice crushed the ship so the crew had to abandon the ship. They only had a few lifeboats. They knew they would need to sail across treacherous waters if they were to survive. Tom and a few others took one boat and attempted the voyage. Amazingly, they made it to land and then still had to accomplish other seemingly impossible tasks to find people to help. Shackleton invited him on his next expedition but Tom declined. In 1929 Tom retired and settled down in Ireland, opening the South Pole Pub.

Tom loved animals - he took a rabbit with him on one voyage. And it seems he took care of the dogs and the horses - though this was often a sad task because they often did not survive the cold or there wasn't enough food to feed them and they had to be put down.

A nice Afterword, a timeline, and a list of sources is included at the back of the book. Facts about Antarctica are on the inside cover along with a map while pictures of animals of Antarctica are on the back inside cover.
Be sure to take a peek under the dusk jacket. The cover of the book is very different from the dust jacket - I think it is pack ice!

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-fiction can be some of the most interesting stories out there. I've never heard of this man. He made three expeditions to the Antarctic at the beginning of the 20th century. He was Irish serving in the English navy exploring the harshest place on Earth. He has two areas in the Antarctic that are named after him.

His captains weren't necessarily the smartest men and most of the time, he was the one who got them out of a horrible mess the captains get the men in. He seemed like quite a guy. This book focuses on what he did. The most we know about him is he like to sing and loved taking care of the animals. There is little that lets us relate to him as a person. He's pretty distant from the reader. When he retired to his tiny Irish Island, he started the South Pole Inn which is still there today. He married.

I enjoy the artwork. It's sort of told like a comic book. It has panels that show different adventures. So the narrative tells of things they did or encountered and a panel shows a picture. They cover a lot of story quickly that way.

One time, they were in a frozen bay that broke up. They had to hope from ice flow to ice flow leaving behind their ponies and dogs while killer whales swam around the ice. It was quite the creepy picture. I mean, there was a whole pod of whales waiting for them to fall. The artwork is bright and happy which made it even more creepy, IMO.

He had quite a few harrowing adventures that people would have died without him. He must have been quite a guy.

Any kid who loves real adventures should enjoy this. This is that adventuring spirit.

[Chandler Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first two decades of the twentieth century, Tom Crean was part of three expeditions to Antarctica! He was part of the crew trying to be the first to reach the South Pole and his last expedition was attempting to be the first to cross the continent. Tom was unlike the other members of these expeditions in that he did not write about or talk about his experiences, yet his courage and resilience in the harsh conditions of the continent were well documented by the people he worked alongside. In the unexplored landscape at the southernmost point on the Earth, Tom had to cross mountains and long stretches of frozen land on foot (and often by himself). Tom was physically and mentally strong, outliving many of his crew mates. He was one of several men who returned from the frigid antarctic and immediately volunteered to fight in the growing conflict of World War I. Tom's is one of the many unknown stories of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration and it is told brilliantly by Jennifer Thermes. The illustrations are beautiful and the layouts give the book a beginner graphic novel feel. Young readers might be intimidated by the amount of text in the book and may be upset by the mentions of dog and horse death. :(

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you love adventure, history, and geography?

The Indestructible Tom Crean is a picture book that taught me so much about what the exploration of Antarctica was like at the turn of the 20th century. Learn about Tom's early life and how he came to be chosen by both Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton for three important voyages.

Jennifer Thermes' words and illustrations combine to tell the story of Tom's life. I checked out my copy from the public library, and I hope there are copies at yours too. I also hope school librarians and teachers will have access to this book. Young readers love nonfiction!

If I had to choose a target audience, I'd recommend it for 3rd graders and up. Many upper elementary and middle school students would rather eat live grasshoppers than be caught in the "little kids" section, and I wish all libraries had these books mixed in with the middle grade books.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrilling read! This engagingly illustrated picture-book biography, awash with maps and facts and canny anecdotes, belongs in every elementary teacher's classroom where the science, history, geography, and personality of Antarctica is being studied. Convivial Irishman Tom Crean was the true definition of "hero," willingly laying down his life for his friends (but, through a combination of pluck and luck, managing to escape the jaws of death himself while managing the safe rescue of an amazing roll call of his seemingly done-for comrades). I earnestly hope that this outstanding book soon makes his a household name, right up there with those of his Antarctic explorer buddies Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott. Note to educators and budding adventurers everywhere: Ms. Thermes' tale and illustrations are utterly unmissable!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Tom never says a word about his Antarctic adventures. But his crewmates will remember the incredible, lifesaving feats he performed—fearlessly—during his time on the ice.”

Starting in the British Royal Navy at the age of sixteen, Tom serves as a last minute replacement with Captain Robert Scott on the Discovery headed to Antarctica. He traveled on a second expedition with Captain Scott and is awarded the Albert Medal for bravery. He is then recruited by Ernest Shackleton to join his Endurance expedition. Through it all, Tom remained resourceful, brave and dedicated to helping the others that he traveled with.

Such an interesting life revealed. The illustrations are wonderful and the book also includes an author’s note, timeline and list of resources for further reading.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antarctic explorer Tom Crean comes to life in a colorful biography chronicling his adventures on the icy continent in the early 1900s. Unlike many other explorers, the resourceful, funny, dog-loving Irishman never wrote or spoke publicly about his experiences. The author instead relies on written accounts written by Tom’s crewmates about the Discovery, Terra Nova and Endurance expeditions. The well-organized, fast-paced story includes a wealth of details ranging from heart-pounding (scaling icy cliffs) to mundane (playing games aboard an ice-bound boat). Kids will pore over the dramatic water-color and pencil illustrations, particularly the one of Tom and his shipmates trapped on an ice floe surrounded by killer whales. Easy-to-follow maps are interspersed throughout the text; back matter includes an informative afterword, time-line, and source notes.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the AR Diamond Book Award as an adult reader. The jacket cover design is absolutely beautiful. I love the soft colors. It will certainly draw in readers, but the soft cover doesn't really prepare readers for the tough topics within. In my opinion, I think that this book would be better for 4th+. It is recommended for Pre-K-3rd, but I highly doubt there will be any actual interest in this book for the youngest of readers. Wonderful illustrations. Some of the things in the text (example: ice floes, glaciers, ships stuck in ice) are so much better when such wonderful illustrations can depict it for readers to really see. I think that this one would find a better audience with the Charlie May Simon readers--I hope it gets sent over to my CMS committee.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon says "The Indestructible Tom Crean reveals the incredible true stories of Crean's adventures on the Discovery, Terra Nova, and Endurance expeditions. He hauls eight-hundred-pound sleds full of supplies, escapes from drifting ice floes, and trudges miles alone across a treacherous ice shelf. When the Endurance becomes trapped in the frozen sea and sinks, it is up to Crean and several others to go for help. They sail a tiny lifeboat through the most violent seas in the world and cross a daunting glacial mountain range by foot in order to save their fellow explorers. Tom Crean's heroic acts of courage, perseverance, and teamwork inspire the men to keep going."

[Hilary Margitich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one-of-a-kind picture book biography takes you on not one, but THREE, life and death expeditions to the yet-unexplored continent of Antarctica at the turn of the twentieth century. Born from humble beginnings in his home country of Ireland, Tom Crean is a brave, loyal, and extremely hardworking explorer during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. As an old Antarctic sailor once warned, "What the ice gets, the ice keeps." Crean and his colleagues acheive the impossible on more than one occasion, but not without grave sacrifices. Jennifer Thermes is a talented storyteller AND artist, both writing and illustrating this incredible story.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Cool endpapers (where the art starts at the edge of the jacket flap so you don’t lose any content!) with facts and animals and case cover art - lovely illustrations!
Look at fascinating life of intrepid polar explorer. Each voyage/mission has a heading with crew, goal, and map. Tender hearted readers will be sad for the time when “they cannot care for the dogs any longer. The ice can break your heart.” Back matter explains this as Crean was an animal lover. Afterward, timeline, select sources.

[Jj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy!

This was a fascinating story of a true person's life. It effectively tells and shows the reader how complicated and dangerous the journeys of polar explorers could be. It does have appealing illustrations which, as one reviewer puts it, belie the difficult subject matter. But I also think that could help to bring this to the attention of those who might otherwise not notice or take an interest in the subject, and spur them to learn more and do further historical exploration of their own.

[Anna W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book, and it certainly gives much detail to the explorations of Tom Crean.

That said, I personally feel that so much of this exploration was utterly irresponsible. I know this should not factor into the book itself; in addition it was likely a part of the context of the time period.

But taking hundreds of animals to sea? Then leaving them when the exploration doesn’t go to plan? (Or eating them; it isn’t stated.) Knowing the dangers and likelihood of losing people and forging ahead? For what? A title?

Irresponsible.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book biography has detailed illustrations that will intrigue many children, and although it is a little wordier than some similar books, it shares thorough and interesting information about Crean's experiences on Arctic expeditions. The story emphasizes survival and mental grit, but parents of sensitive kids should know that the book includes many perilous situations, some animal deaths (implied), and the off-page deaths of some of Crean's fellow explorers.

[Harriet]

I love this picture book -- so filled with gorgeous illustrations, blue and cream and white, and all the colors in between, as Thermes evokes the world of Antarctica in all its beauty and grandeur. The character of Tom Crean is wonderful -- he's a hero, because of his courage and determination, and yet he's a modest hero, who joins others wholeheartedly in their exploratory and risky missions. A beautiful and inspiring picture book for children from age 5 on.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard of Tom Crean through the book Tom's Rabbit: A True Story from Scott's Last Voyage but was unaware the extent of his Antarctic explorations. This is a must have for school libraries. For grades 2 & up.

[Jamie McNiven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story illustrates the exploration that Tom Crean endured throughout the Antarctic. He faced many challenges that unfolded throughout three stories (this is one of three in the series). With his courage, perseverance, and teamwork he inspires students to use these qualities in their own lives when they come to an obstacle in their story. I think this would be a perfect book for a classroom to be able to uplift children during a hard obstacle and in a fun, adventurous way.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of he Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, at the turn of the 20th century. Tom Crean was part of three Antarctic expeditions from 1901-19017.
Through excellent, softly colored illustrations presented in varying sizes with charts and maps readers enjoy a good sense of the highlights of these expeditions.
All is followed by an afterward expansion, a timeline, and a list of selected sources.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations and informative text in this picture book biography of Antarctic explorer Tom Crean. An interesting read about a lesser-known historical figure. Detailed and action packed. (TW: the book does mention the deaths of both people and animals- it is not graphic, but younger readers may be troubled).

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

What wild adventures Tom Crean had, particularly during his experience from 1901–1904 on board the Discovery and 1910 -1913 aboard Terra Nova in Antarctica. The author describes in vivid detail, many of the mishaps, near death experiences, and hardships of exploration in meeting the goal to be the first to reach the south pole.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well detailed picture book biography about Tom Crean who visited Antarctica on three different expeditions in the early 1900s. Each time, he faces the harsh elements of this continent to survive.
If you are interested in the South Pole or like stories of survival, give this picture book biography a try.