Who Lives Here? Polar Animals
What’s inside...
The polar regions are home to amazing animals whose bodies are built for living in the extreme cold. Emperor penguins, snowy owls and beluga whales all have special ways of staying warm, finding food and raising their young in a polar habitat of thick ice and snow.The Who Lives Here? series looks at animals in their natural habitats - rain forests, polar regions, deserts and wetlands - and explains how the body and habits of each animal are suited to the place it lives. Charming, realistic illustrations, playful language and intriguing facts make these books a perfect read for young children.
Why read this book
- Explores diverse polar animals and habitats.
- Engaging educational content for young readers.
- Supports environmental awareness and curiosity.
- Vibrant illustrations enhance learning and imagination.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What similarities and differences can you see between where the polar animals live and where we live?
Why do you think polar animals have thick fur or blubber?
How do you think the animals feel living in such cold places?
What would you do if you were a polar animal for a day?
How can we help protect the homes of these polar animals?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before you start reading, ask your child what they already know about polar animals to gauge their prior knowledge.
Encourage your child to imagine living in a polar environment while reading, to build empathy and understanding of the animals' lives.
While discussing the book, refer to the illustrations to help your child connect the text with visual cues.
After reading, engage your child in an activity related to the book, such as drawing their favorite polar animal or imagining a story about living in the Arctic or Antarctic.
Use the questions as a basis for a deeper discussion to reinforce the information learned and encourage critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Diverse Habitats
Explanation: The book explores various animals living in the polar regions, detailing their unique adaptations to the cold environment.
Real-World Application: Children learn about biodiversity and the importance of different habitats, fostering environmental awareness from a young age.
Example Lesson: Adaptation and Survival
Explanation: Through descriptions of how polar animals survive harsh conditions, children understand the concept of adaptation in the animal kingdom.
Real-World Application: This knowledge helps children grasp the science behind how organisms change over time to meet the demands of their environments, promoting a scientific mindset.
Example Lesson: Empathy Towards Animals
Explanation: By learning about the challenges polar animals face, such as extreme cold and scarce food, children develop empathy for these creatures.
Real-World Application: This empathy can extend to local wildlife and pets, encouraging kind and thoughtful interactions with animals in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Importance of Conservation
Explanation: The book touches on the environmental issues that threaten polar habitats, like global warming and ice melt.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to engage in or advocate for environmental conservation practices, such as recycling or learning more about climate change.