Over in the Arctic: Where the Cold Winds Blow by Marianne Berkes, Jill Dubin (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Over in the Arctic, the snow goose "honks" and the wolf "howls." Children too will joyfully honk and howl while they count the baby animals and sing to the tune of "Over in the Meadow." And the illustrations - all done in cut paper - vividly convey the dramatic landscape of the Arctic.

Children's Literature

This counting book, cleverly illustrated by Jill Dubin, features Berkes' charming counting rhyme filled with interesting facts about animals of the Arctic. Included in each picture are hidden animals that will encourage readers to search the illustrations to learn more about the Arctic region. Both the author and the illustrator provide tips for using the book with children. Berkes includes several suggestions for extended activities, as well as a list of other print and web resources on arctic life. The final pages also include information about the Arctic Tundra, Hidden Arctic Animals, a brief paragraph about each of the Arctic animals in the rhyme, and the text put to the music of "Over in the Meadow," which can also be used to teach this counting exercise. Dubin offers information on her illustrative style for the book, which uses cut-paper illustrations to create beautifully-rendered examples of the animals and their Arctic habitat. This engaging book can be read, sung, or studied by individuals and groups as they learn how to count these amazing animals. Reviewer: Naomi Williamson

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1

Following Over in the Ocean (2004) and Over in the Jungle (2007, both Dawn), this latest spin on the familiar "Over in the Meadow" rhyme takes readers on another adventure. Each page highlights a different animal, including a polar bear and her cub, an Arctic hare and her leverets, and a wolf and his pups. The last verse tells of 10 "surprise" animals hiding in the previous pages and invites children to go back to the beginning for a closer read. An author's note gives more information about the Arctic tundra and explains that while most of the details in the book are factual, the number of babies each animal would have according to the rhyme is not accurate. Spreads feature chunky cut-paper collages in a cool palette. An artist's note explains the process for creating the illustrations. Other interesting back matter includes tips for extended activities and notes for the traditional "Over in the Meadow" tune with the altered Arctic lyrics. This book serves as a useful introduction to the area.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Kirkus Reviews

Modeled after the traditional song "Over in the Meadow," this (for the most part) easily chanted rhyme introduces a variety of land and sea animals and birds found in the tundra. Standard number-recognition and counting concepts are augmented by additional ideas and vocabulary in the active text, which highlights the Arctic climate, animal habits and the proper names for the animals' young. "Over in the Arctic / Where some creatures migrate, / Lived a mother snow goose / And her little goslings eight. / ‘Honk,' said the mother. / ‘We honk,' said the eight. / So they honked and flew south / Where some creatures migrate." Graceful, stylish cut-paper collages in a mixture of bright colors and patterns create icy backgrounds for each scene. Well-conceived extension ideas for curriculum and art connections follow a "hidden animal" game and a "Fact or Fiction" explanation about the rhyme's tundra environment. A value-added exploration of the Arctic for preschoolers and early elementary-age children. (Picture book. 3-7)

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