Adventures of Riley: South Pole Penguins

The book uses observation by providing photographic images of south pole penguins and also provides a krill diagram for students to observe what the different parts of a krill are called. The book also constructs a food web model for students to identify what animals eat other animals in Antarctica.

• Author: Amanda Lumry & Laura Hurwitz
• Illustrator: Amanda Lumry & Laura Hurwitz
• Year Published: 2007
• ISBN: 978-0-9748411-5-1

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 2nd Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 5th Grade

Summary

Riley visits the bottom of the world! He and his family voyage to Antartica, land of seals, whales and, of course, PENGUINS! They must brave stormy seas, giant icebergs and icy winds to see how global climate change is affecting the Antarctic food web. Riley learns valuable lessons about survival and cooperation.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: High
• Authority: Medium
• Accuracy: Medium
• Liteary Artistry: High
• Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

The book uses observation by providing photographic images of south pole penguins and also provides a krill diagram for students to observe what the different parts of a krill are called. The book also constructs a food web model for students to identify what animals eat other animals in Antarctica.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

This book contains questions throughout to where the teacher can make stopping points for the teacher to ask them questions. There are also places for the students to ask their own questions, but most of the answers that they might have are already in the book.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

The main character, Riley, tends to ask a lot of questions during the trip and so it could help foster the students thinking in the classroom about what could happen or to think about what a definition might mean that is bolded throughout the book.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

If I were to teach a lesson about South Pole Penguins, this book would be perfect because it includes a glossary and facts throughout the book about the penguins and Antarctica itself so that the students understand what is in Antarctica and why these specific penguins live there.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The book content is based on sound scientific principles by focusing on the principles of how penguins live. The content is accurate and includes a glossary at the end of the book.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book distinguishes between fact and fiction by using photographic images in the background to represent factual information including text boxes with factual information. For fiction, the characters or other parts in the book are created as cartoons so there is a distinguished difference for students to recognize between facts and fiction.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear by including photographic images throughout the book for students to get a realistic image of what Antarctica actually looks like and what the south pole penguins look like as well. They accomplish my purpose of wanting realistic images and not cartoonish images so that the students have a clear understanding of what the place actually looks like. The illustrations also include more than just pictures including a food web.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

The book is written at the level of my students because the information is clear and in the form of a narrative. It also includes a glossary at the end for me to discuss definitions of words that the students may not understand.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

The book does not have a multicultural component because it is focused on animals only but with the students in the story, there is no stereotyping. This book includes both boys and girls on the trip to Antarctica. The book does not stereotype people who live in Antarctica either.

Is the book free from gender bias?

This book is free from gender bias by including both a girl and boy on the adventure to Antarctica. This depicts both genders as being scientists and investigating the lives of the south pole penguins.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

The book shows close association between science and math though the facts represented throughout the book because it includes measurements of different parts of Antarctica. This book also includes the subject social studies by discussing a different part of the word and the features that are represented in that part of the world.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

This book presents a positive attitude towards science by creating a story that shows how science can be an adventure anywhere in the world. This book is fun and engaging for students who may want to be scientists.