At the Poles by David Elliott (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: At the Poles by David Elliott Kate Quealy-Gainer, Editor Elliott, David At the Poles; illus. by Ellen Rooney. Candlewick, 2023 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781536205992 $18.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-7 yrs The icy, snowy environs of Earth's two poles are host to a bounty of intriguing animals, especially to young nature lovers, and here Elliott offers up a variety of poems that highlight the diversity of those creatures, both in their biological features and the ways in which they are perceived by humans. There is, of course, the regal Emperor penguin in the Antarctic section of the book, here playfully lauded [End Page 99] for its parental dedication and ability to traverse the wintry landscape ("Praise for the Ruler / of Long-Distance Ambulation!). In the Arctic/Antarctic section for creatures that inhabit both poles, readers can find a wary salute to the orca (You are a master of predation / from / the kingdom of the dead), and a delighted tribute to the "moss piglet" or tardigrade. Walruses, musk ox, and caribou make an appearance for the Arctic portion, as well as the animal with the most outstanding headgear, the narwhal: "A singular creature / with a singular feature." Each poem is accompanied by a full-page spread foregrounding the animal, and the multi-media art infuses scenes with energy and movement. Mottled textures, swift, brush-like strokes, and varied perspectives effectively crowd the page to convey the chaotic energy of swimming Antarctic krill, while curved, bold linework and tones of deep browns and gray capture the languid bodies of lounging walruses. This would make an excellent pairing with Bulion's Galápagos: Islands of Change (BCCB 02/23) for a poetic exploration of ecosystems or with Jenkins' Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea (BCCB 08/09) for a marine-focused science lesson. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois