Arctic & Antarctic

Grade 4-8?Generalized, broad overviews whose strength lies in the scope and quality of the illustrative material. The texts are serviceable, written in a dry, but evenhanded style. Much is explained in the captions to the museum-quality, full-color photographs and reproductions. Small inaccuracies in North American Indian include identifying Sitting Bull as a Teton Dakota; he was a Hunkpapa Lakota. Readers are told that "Sioux" came from the Ojibwa word for "enemy," but in fact it came from the word for "little rattlesnake," a derogatory term similar to "cut-throat. More comprehensive titles, such as Carl Waldman's Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes (Facts on File, 1987), are preferable. Arctic & Antarctic has spectacular photographs and diagrams to explain ice formations; tundra; and plant, sea, and wildlife of each region. Human life is discussed in spreads on native cultures and explorers. Sections pair up information about each pole, allowing for comparisons. This organizational method makes it challenging to isolate conditions unique to each place. A common, but flawed emphasis is given to Scott's failed attempt to be first to the South Pole; the brilliant and successful South Pole discovery by Amundsen receives a small side caption. Nevertheless, this is still an attractive title.