The author of At the Pond and In the Woods takes readers to the most remote regions of our planet in this beautifully illustrated poetic ode to the creatures that inhabit the North and South poles.
The stark, cold landscapes of Earth’s poles may seem inhospitable, but their snowy hollows and glacial waters hide an astounding variety of creatures, from the tiny, fascinating tardigrade to the mysterious giant squid, from the fleet-footed Arctic hare to the majestic polar bear. Perfectly adapted for the climes they call home, these animals defy logic and invite awe. New York Times best-selling author David Elliott turns his eye—and his pen—to the Arctic and Antarctic with lively poems filled with humor, admiration, and love, while illustrator Ellen Rooney’s vivid multimedia art brings touches of warmth and beauty to the austere landscapes of the poles. Complete with notes on each animal in the back matter, At the Poles speaks to the preciousness of lifeat the ends of the Earth.
WINNER
| 2024 Claudia Lewis Award for Poetry
NOMINEE
| 2024 ALSC Notable Children's Books
That paragon of poetic pith Elliot (In the Woods, rev. 3/20; and others) returns with another winning entry. . . . Many of the fifteen brief poems use direct address, the better to connect creature with readers. . . Rooney’s eye-catching portraits—created using printmaking ink, gouache, crayon, and digital and traditional collage techniques—vary to match the tone of each poem, from lighthearted and humorous to majestic and haunting (see her shivery Greenland shark). —The Horn Book
The confident metrics and wordplay that mark Elliott’s previous sets of wildlife-themed poems is on bright display here. . . Respect and appreciation for the natural world shine brightly throughout this seamless mix of words and pictures. A pleaser for animal and nature lovers. —Kirkus Reviews
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. . . Each poem is accompanied by a full-page spread foregrounding the animal, and the multi-media art infuses scenes with energy and movement. —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
David Elliott says that his sister really does have a cat with one eye and that she was the inspiration for the cat in this story (the cat, not the sister).
View titles by David Elliott
The author of At the Pond and In the Woods takes readers to the most remote regions of our planet in this beautifully illustrated poetic ode to the creatures that inhabit the North and South poles.
The stark, cold landscapes of Earth’s poles may seem inhospitable, but their snowy hollows and glacial waters hide an astounding variety of creatures, from the tiny, fascinating tardigrade to the mysterious giant squid, from the fleet-footed Arctic hare to the majestic polar bear. Perfectly adapted for the climes they call home, these animals defy logic and invite awe. New York Times best-selling author David Elliott turns his eye—and his pen—to the Arctic and Antarctic with lively poems filled with humor, admiration, and love, while illustrator Ellen Rooney’s vivid multimedia art brings touches of warmth and beauty to the austere landscapes of the poles. Complete with notes on each animal in the back matter, At the Poles speaks to the preciousness of lifeat the ends of the Earth.
Awards
WINNER
| 2024 Claudia Lewis Award for Poetry
NOMINEE
| 2024 ALSC Notable Children's Books
Praise
That paragon of poetic pith Elliot (In the Woods, rev. 3/20; and others) returns with another winning entry. . . . Many of the fifteen brief poems use direct address, the better to connect creature with readers. . . Rooney’s eye-catching portraits—created using printmaking ink, gouache, crayon, and digital and traditional collage techniques—vary to match the tone of each poem, from lighthearted and humorous to majestic and haunting (see her shivery Greenland shark). —The Horn Book
The confident metrics and wordplay that mark Elliott’s previous sets of wildlife-themed poems is on bright display here. . . Respect and appreciation for the natural world shine brightly throughout this seamless mix of words and pictures. A pleaser for animal and nature lovers. —Kirkus Reviews
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. . . Each poem is accompanied by a full-page spread foregrounding the animal, and the multi-media art infuses scenes with energy and movement. —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Author
David Elliott says that his sister really does have a cat with one eye and that she was the inspiration for the cat in this story (the cat, not the sister).
View titles by David Elliott
