Debut author Mastro and Wu (Fish Faces
) introduce readers to the brief but bustling Antarctic summer in this gloriously photographed work, especially noteworthy for their under- and above-water shots. One photo brings readers nose to nose with an Orca whale while another features a Weddell seal pup learning to swim with its mother. Unfortunately, the narrative format tends to bog down in its overabundant presentation of facts (from the definition of phytoplankton to the nesting habits of emperor and Adélie penguins). Readers alternately follow the seal pup and penguin chicks through the summer, but the jumping back and forth among animals and the density of detail make the text cumbersome, e.g., "Urchins, sea stars, and little creatures called amphipods and krill eat the algae. Fish eat the amphipods and krill, and seals and penguins eat the fish. (Penguins eat krill, too)." However, spectacular scenes of animals against vivid blue skies, stark white landscapes and aquamarine ice justify and reward a long look at this book. A polished layout features a black background, with gray silhouettes of the creatures framing or peering from behind the photographs or artistically backing the white typeface. The stunning, National Geographic–like visuals will spark interest in and appreciation for the frigid polar region. Ages 4-8. (Nov.)
