Cover Image: Except Antarctica

Except Antarctica

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This is a fun book to learn about where different animals come from and why they are suited to different habitiats. The illustrations are comical and I think young children would find this book a lot of fun.

Was this review helpful?

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. The narrator says that turtles live on every continent except Antarctica. Turtle is not very happy with this news and is going to prove the narrator wrong by traveling to Antarctica, and several of his friends join him. Humorous read.

Was this review helpful?

A fun, informative read for little adventurers with real animal facts and some spunky animal pals. I really enjoyed the animal factoids in the back of the book.

Was this review helpful?

I'm pulling together a book list to cover the seven continents, and this humorous, creative nonfiction title is the perfect addition to the round-up!

Was this review helpful?

I love books like this where the characters talk to the narrator and are snarky. haha
The illustrations are also really good and bright and colorful.

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful concept for an interactive picture book. I think this would pair fantastically with lessons on animal habitats. I particularly loved the added information in the back of the book.

For Libraries: This sounds like a good fit for our animal themed summer for those doing the CSLP theme. Though I wish the release date was a bit sooner...

Was this review helpful?

Very cute picture book that tries to read like a nonfiction book on animal habitats until the turtle interrupts the story after being told that turtles don't live in Antarctica. Turtle is very offended by being told he can't do something and sets out to prove that turtles can live in Antarctica. He sets off to Antarctica to prove his point and along the way meets several other animals that don't live in Antarctica, but like turtle, decide to join him to prove they can. The group of animals make it to Antarctica and realize all the reasons why they actually don't want to live there.

Kids will enjoy the dialog between the narrator trying to narrate animal facts and the interruptions of the animals. The illustrations are wonderful and support the storyline. Almost accidentally, students will gather a lot of animals facts through this book, too. I enjoyed the animal fact cards at the end of story as much as I did the actual story! This book will also be useful in classrooms when teaching about animal habitats and the different biomes.

Was this review helpful?

You will love the story in this book! Once turtle finds out that none of his kind are in Antarctica he grabs his gear and heads there. Along the way he finds some other animals who agree to take care n the challenge too. A nice surprise ending and extra factual information about Antarctica make this a great read/purchase. Lots of great SEL points to discuss also.

Was this review helpful?

So many fun facts of animals that are not found in Antarctica because it is too cold as well as the emperor penguin who is only found there. I think this book would be best for older elementary, because there is some sarcasm that younger kids might not get. Entertaining, nonetheless.

Was this review helpful?

"Except Antarctica" is a funny and educational book full of animal facts. It's sure to entertain any animal loving kid. The art is a bit simplistic, the penguins just look strange, but it's a worthwhile read.

Was this review helpful?

Very whimsical and very visually attractive look at a turtle who goes against the grain – and against the nature documentary narration – and tries to get to Antarctica. What makes it even worse for the poor voice-over guy is that no end of other animals dislike being told they don't belong on Antarctica either, and so join in on the trek. This is one of the better books doing this, taking the standard form of images and narration and having the characters in the drawings break away from the narrator's intent and demand their own destiny. So it's quite a shock when the last third – if not more – is an educational bit, briefly telling us trivia about the critters we've met, and about Antarctica, and even throwing in some climate change science to boot. All this is welcome, but it did seem to jar when the previous pages had been such silly fun. To such an extent, even when this book did a lot more than I expected and did it well, I still think four stars is my ceiling for it.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely LOVED this book! I know my students are going to love the format and different points of views. I have already recommended this book to the rest of our Reading Madness selection team at school for next school year's Reading Madness. I have a feeling it will be one of the finalists! I will also be purchasing this book for my classroom. If you want a silly book to make you smile, definitely check this one out!

Was this review helpful?

A funny and interesting story about a turtle and his group of friends trying to go to Antarctica! Filled with adorable drawings, fun facts, and an equally fun group of animal characters, this is a great read for all kids!

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Was this review helpful?

Turtle and his friends want to go to Antarctica!! Will they find friends and like the area? This book also comes along with wonderful facts about all of the animals that you read about! The illustrations make you feel like you are right with turtle and his friends going to Antarctica. This would be a great classroom library book or a book for a bed time story for a child.

Was this review helpful?

A very clever book that provides you with facts about animals that are not found in Antarctica and those that are only found there. I was chuckling the whole way through.

Was this review helpful?