‘The great white continent of Antarctica is surrounded by ice covered seas. On Christmas Day 1910, the Terra Nova was pushing through the ice, towards land. The men on board led by Captain Scott, hoped to be the first people to reach the South Pole….’

This is the story of that epic journey told by Meredith Hooper, who was inspired by her travels with the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition. There is much to recommend in this book for young readers from both key stages. It is authentic, based upon the diaries kept by men on the Terra Nova. There is useful information contained in the front and back covers, which contextualises the story of Tom the sailor and his pet rabbit.

The tale helps orientate the young reader to the bigger story of Scott and his ill fated expedition.There is an invitation to find out more, which could link with work across the curriculum in history and geography.

Bert Kitchen’s illustrations capture the wild uncompromising drama of Antarctica and contrast it with the snug , warm and friendly portrayal of life on ship, where brave men are trying to hang onto a civilised kind of domesticity. The humour is ironic given the savagery of what lies ahead in Scott’s voyage but that is for the young reader to find out. A little black cat is drawn swinging drowsily in his own little hammock, one half-open eye on the reader. Maybe he knows.

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2008-08-10