At the Poles by David Elliott, Ellen Rooney
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536205990
Genres: Animals, Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Following his other poetry books,  “At the Pond,” “In the Woods,” and “On the Farm,” Elliot takes readers from the Antarctic to the Arctic in this beautifully illustrated book of fifteen poems about creatures that inhabit the North and South poles. There are the commonest oceanic and land animals, such as penguins and walrus, to some lesser known ones, such as krill, Antarctic shag, tardigrade, and Greenland shark. The poetry is clever and humorous at times but always shows respect for the featured creature. Rooney’s accompanying digital and patterned-paper collage portraits of the animals are beautiful and depict the sparseness of the landscape. In comments at the end, the author expands on the animals in the verses. This book will compliment a unit study about polar regions and perhaps serve as a model for students to write their own poetry.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library