Antarctica is often seen as a cold, harsh empty world but that is far from the truth. It is not empty. Rather it is teeming with life and vibrancy. In this land as winter ends, we see a new iceberg calve from a glacier, new yet carrying its history in its icy layers. As it bobs in the sea, its cracks ‘unshackle algae and under-ice krill stir’. Summer is near.
Migratory birds appear and fattened penguins return to feed their hungry chicks. Soon a vast multitude of marine and bird life spill over the ice and into the ocean chasing and feeding, all part of the great Antarctic circle of life. As the air and sea cools the summer visitors leave for warmer climes, the ice begins to thicken and our iceberg so central to this seasonal tale becomes ‘winterbound, icebound, seabound. Stuck.’ And just as it seems winter will never end; spring returns and the dance begins anew.
This is a wondrously important book. The text is lyrical, melodic yet with an always evolving sense that captures the beauty of this unique environment. The language is dynamic and tactile with words like ‘lurk, bobs, quiver, slap, spiral, shears and twitch’ woven throughout. It is a book that deserves to be read aloud.
Fully complementing the text is the extensive artwork. There is a wide range of media used including watercolour, acrylic paint, collage, pencil, ink and digital illustration. The Antarctic world is primarily in shades of blue and white and extensive work was involved in creating the delicate translucent iceberg images which form a central role in each illustration. The height of the Antarctic summer is depicted in a wordless gatefold spread that teems with marine life. The changing horizons, sun positions and images of the Southern lights or Aurora Australis cleverly show the changing seasons.
‘Iceberg’ is described as a ‘lovesong to the wonder of the ocean, the wonder of nature and all the wonders of our world’. It carries a significant message about the importance of looking after the environment. The book’s final sentence gives a powerful and important message: ‘Antarctica is an environment like no other on earth. It inspires awe, deserves understanding and needs our protection’.
2022 CBCA Picture Book of the Year
2022 shortlisted Festival Awards for Literature (SA) Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature — Children's Literature Award
Picture Books for Older Readers
