Wildlife of the Arctic for Kids

The Arctic is so much more than “a barren, snowy, monotonous landscape where the winters are long, the temperatures frigid, and the wildlife scarce”. As we hear more and more about the ways climate change is affecting the region, this book is especially timely with its focus on the variety and abundance of wildlife found there year-round or only in breeding season. Drawing on his expertise with both writing and photography, Dr. Wayne Lynch presents an overview of species including bears, hoofed mammals, wild dogs, weasels, small mammals, marine mammals and birds. The book begins with a brief description of the various habitats—tundra, sea ice, coastal cliffs, wetlands. A concluding section about impacts of warming temperatures on ice, permafrost and wildlife offers only brief references to the issue, and there is no resources list to encourage further investigation. An “Author Biography” and “Index” complete the book. The reading level is accessible to middle readers, but the book’s contents would also be attractive to adults.

The treatment of each animal, or group comprises four pages: a detailed account of one or two specific characteristics (e.g. grizzly bears digging skills), an insert to highlight another trait (e.g. wolf howls), and a second insert called “Fast Facts” (size, habitat, diet, surprising but true). Readers will enjoy learning what may be unusual details about some of the animals. For instance, Arctic whales (beluga, bowhead, narwhal) have no dorsal fin on their backs and so have the ability to lift ice without having to break it to create a temporary air space if there is no open water. Taken altogether, each profile gives ample information to pique reader interest about the species.

“Surprising but True” is an interesting feature with details that may not usually find their way into a general account of an animal’s lifestyle: how similar, the author thinks, the bellow of a muskox sounds to an African lion’s roar, or the fulmar’s amazing 60 year life span. One misleading sentence appeared, though: “Female caribou are the only members of the deer family that grow antlers” needs clarification since the preceding page states, “Antlers are the badge of the deer family, and those of a caribou bull are truly impressive...”. Outstanding up-close photos, with captions, enhance the text: you’ll appreciate the author’s skills as he shows you the Arctic hare’s fur-covered feet, the ptarmigan’s seasonal plumage changes, and the bull caribou eating shed antler velvet.

With impressive images and intriguing facts, Wildlife of the Arctic for Kids will give readers an informative look at a key ecosystem. Knowing more about the Arctic’s wildlife treasures will help to raise concern for the impacts of threats the region faces.