“This world is not empty, nor ever still. Far from places we know, it feels everything we do.” Claire Saxby
Iceberg both inspires and creates deep thinking for children of all ages including older primary years.
‘This picture book is quite simply a visual and literary masterpiece. Its opening spread features spectacular spikes of colour, dramatic expanses and subtle details, including the shadow of an orca, the peek of a seal, and the track of penguins.
Turn the pages and the colours lighten slowly to reveal more of the iceberg until the sun fully reveals itself and the wildlife on and around the iceberg. The tone of the language playfully reflects this change. And soon we are below the water’s surface with a magnificent gatefold opening out to reveal the extraordinary panorama of activity under the sea.
Antarctica is remote, forbidding, hostile and uninhabited by humans, yet this frozen continent is key to understanding how our world works, and our corresponding impact on Earth’s climate and ocean systems.
The author, Claire Saxby’s lyrical narrative combined with Jess Racklyeft’s detailed illustrations are sure to spark curiosity for Antarctica and its flora and fauna. As well as being an important natural laboratory, Antarctica provides the opportunity to educate children on the importance of protecting this fragile continent and its ecosystems.‘
Source: Tye Cattanach Education Consultant, Blogger and former children’s bookseller
Allen and Unwin are Australian publishers with global impact, Iceberg is available across the world.
There are a comprehensive set of Teacher Notes from Tye Cattanach, both enabling and inspirational. They have been formulated with Year 3 Australian Curriculum in mind, but the activities and resources shared here could easily be adapted to suit younger and older students alike in the National Curriculum in the UK or other global education systems.
Sue Martin – Children’s Literacy Specialist
