Now that the snow is gone after Boston’s Snowmaggedon, I can finally appreciate the cold again so I’m combining some newly published non-fiction science picture books with some videos on the artic. I hope you are ready to face the cold again too!
Arctic Tern
Two guiding thoughts about the Artic today: protection and eggs. Here’s how they all tie together …
Bird Eggs from A Children’s Guide to Arctic Birds
A Children’s Guide to Arctic Birds by Mia Pelletier, illustrated by Danny Christopher
Spring in the Arctic brings with it sunshine day and night, with insects, young plants and larvae for birds migrating North to eat. Birds arrive from as far away as Africa, South America and Europe to nest, hatch their eggs, and gather strength to fly South again before the snow comes. There are also year-round Arctic birds who don’t migrate but stay put through the harsh winter. The birds include: Thick-Billed Murre, Arctic Tern, Tundra Swan, Gryfalcon, Snow Owl and Rock Ptarmigan. Learn about what these birds eat, where to find them, their eggs, nests and chicks in this beautiful non-fiction picture book celebrating the birds of the Arctic. [non fiction, ages 5 and up]
A Nest is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long
The diversity of nests celebrated in A Nest is Noisy‘s cover inset page.
Arctic Tern Nest
Explore nests of all kinds of animals, from how they are constructed, to where they are located and everything else in between. It’s not just birds that make nests either, learn about Orangutans, hornets, lampreys, African gray tree frog, alligators and more. Each species’ nest is unique, and buzzing with activity until the babies grow up and a nest is finally quiet. [non fiction picture book, ages 5 and up]
Crazy for Science with Carmelo the Science Fellow by Carmelo Piazza and James Buckley Jr, illustrated by Chad Geran
Can you make a protective device that stops an egg from breaking? I have our experiment here. [non fiction, ages 6 and up]
Surviving the Arctic: How to Build an Igloo in Just 45 Minutes!
The Inuits’ igloos are a construction marvel built of packed snow but did you ever wonder how they build a curved structure out of snow blocks that can withstand fierce Arctic winds? It’s structure that can not be improved upon. Here’s how they do it; and you can learn to make one too!
The arctic tern makes an incredible migration each year, traveling distances of more than 50,000 miles, from pole to pole.
p.s. More fascinating egg posts here:
Creating a protective device for an egg science experiment for kids
Easter Eggs Pysanka Style (wax resist art on eggs)
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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
Thanks, Mia! The arctic habitat is so incredible. I hope to visit some day.
I love Mia Pelletier’s other book on it called Avati: Discovering Arctic Ecology that I read earlier this year while doing some arctic research.
Nick Dowson’s North, on arctic migration is also very well done. So many interesting birds and creatures.
And I love Dianna Hutts Aston/Sylvia Long’s nature books. I’ve been waiting soooo long for A Nest is Noisy (Their An Egg is Quiet is one of my all-time favorites!)
Hi Maria,
Thanks for your great Artic book suggestions. I’m just now FINALLY reading Dianna Hutts Aston/Sylvia Long’s series and kicking myself that I didn’t find it sooner. My son and I are enjoying them so much!
I have always loved bird books, and Arctic Birds looks lovely.
Hi MaryAnne,
Me too! I wish my kids would bird watch with me but they seem to have little interest. I need to get a birdfeeder that is for birds not squirrels! On my list!
I’ve only visited Alaska, but have a sense of what you’re talking about. The arctic habitat is so beautiful when it blooms, almost overnight. I really enjoyed the bird books you shared. Wish I had them for my daughter when we went to Alaska. Never saw an igloo built — loved the video.
Sorry I haven’t been around the past 2 weeks — just returned from vacation.
Hi Patricia,
It’s on our bucket list to visit Alaska some day but not in winter :). My son and I were mesmerized by the igloo video too. They are amazing structures. I loved seeing them built but I’m not sure if I could ever pull it off!
These books look amazing. What age would you recommend them for? In Australia we have Kindergarten (5 year olds) Lower Primary (6 – 9 year olds) and Upper Primary ( 11 and 12 year olds) Thanks
Hi Lesley,
Sorry, I just added the ages. 5 and up for all those books except the science experiment one which I’d say 6 and up.
We found a small egg shell while out walking the other day 🙂 Arctic Birds sounds great and I was fascinated watching the igloo video!
Hi Ann,
I love finding those egg shells that have been hatched out!!! My son found one on his guitar teacher’s lawn but there isn’t a tree nearby so that’s puzzling to me! I don’t think I could ever build an igloo but I’m glad I saw how they are made (in case I ever have too and just to marvel at their structural genius!).