Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay
written by Peter Cumming and illustrated by Alice Priestly
Despite warnings that she must not go outside alone, young Leah leaves the safety of her far North home and sets out to explore an enormous iceberg. “Leah walked away from her house, past the church, down to the beach, and out on the ice towards the iceberg that looked like a magical island of snow.” Just as Leah begins her adventure, a small polar bear cub is drawn to the same intriguing iceberg. As the moon rises, girl and bear cub meet in the middle of the frozen bay. Meanwhile, Leah’s father and the bear cub’s mother race desperately to locate their offspring.
Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay is filled with suspense as Leah explores the cold and dangerous world outside. It prompts the reader to consider not only the ways that Leah and the cub are alike but also how Leah’s father and the polar bear mother are similar.
32 pages, this is special read aloud for children aged 4 to 8
except if is a playful, unpredictable picture book that challenges the reader to avoid making assumptions and to use his or her imagination. Bold illustrations provide clues and, just as we think we have solved a mystery, they surprise us with unexpected results. An egg that is just about to hatch must surely hold a young bird – or does it?
An egg is not a baby bird, but it will become one except if it becomes a baby snake who will slither along the ground on its belly except if
Very well suited to reading aloud, Jim Averbeck’s picture book will be enjoyed by youngsters aged three and up.
Follow-up activities could include having children create their own cracked eggs and surprising hatchlings.
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Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay
