TITLE: Sophie Scott Goes South
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Alison Lester
PUBLICATION INFO: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-544-08895-5
SOURCE: library
INTENDED AUDIENCE: ages 6 to 9
GENRE: picture book (fiction)
OPENING and SYNOPSIS:
“Woohoo! I’m going to Antarctica! That’s right, me, Sophie Scott.”
From the publisher: “Nine-year-old Sophie is going on a month-long voyage to Antarctica, with her dad, the captain of an icebreaker. Sailing the frozen seas round-trip from Australia to Mawson Station in the South Pole, Sophie recounts the adventure of a lifetime in her own words, illustrations, and color photographs. She’ll show us icebergs, penguins, seals, and whales! It’s a dangerous journey, but Sophie is well prepared for the thrills and chills that await her on top of the world.
This friendly, informative, and beautifully presented picture book is based on the author’s own experiences and shows the wonder of Antarctica through a child’s eyes.”
THEMES/TOPICS: nature, geography
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I love this book because of its connection to Alison Lester’s own trip to Antarctica in 2005 as an Antarctic Arts fellow. During her six-week journey, she sent emails and letters to schools and family with details of her trip. Many students wrote back, sending their pictures of Antarctica and the places and animals Lester described. The children’s pictures appear in the book as part of Sophie’s diary.
RESOURCES:
- This National Geographic site is one of the best there is for learning about Antarctica. Learn about animal ranges, physical geography and more.
- KIDSDISCOVER has a free Antarctica lesson plan.
- Check out these cool photos from the Smithsonian.
You’ll find way more cool books at Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Perfect Picture Books.” Every Friday folks review a host of new books. Join us!