Poles Apart: Life at the Ends of the Earth

     Dr. Mark Norman presents a tale about the poles of the Earth in a graphically appealing picture book entitled Poles Apart: Life at the Ends of the Earth.  The book is set up such that each page has facts about the north and south poles.  Unlike many books, this book has binding along the top edge such that it opens like a calendar.
     Upon opening the book readers will find that facts about the north pole are found on the top page and facts about the south pole lie on the bottom page  In the center of the gutter one will discover a small graphic of the globe to further help readers understand that information about the north pole is found on the top page.  Dr. Norman has gone so far as to design the graphics on the page to appear as though the text and pictures are in the shape of a globe.
     The first pages discuss the amount of land and water in the north and south poles, explaining that the north pole is made of mostly water surrounded by land and the opposite is true of the south pole.  Readers then discover that there is not a single tree on Antarctica, whereas the north pole is home to small, hardy plants that can survive the harsh climate.  At then end of the nonfiction text readers will find a glossary of terms in bold type throughout the book.
     Teachers might find this to be an excellent read-aloud to spark conversation about habitats.  It could easily be used to teach strategies, such as comparing and contrasting.         
     Curious about where penguins live?  Perhaps you want to find out how animals camouflage in each of the poles? Then you'll have to check this book out!