Building an Igloo (Hardcover)

~ (Author, Illustrator) "It takes several hours of hard work to build a good igloo..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Armed with a camera and a keen eye, Steltzer went hunting in the Northern Arctic and captured on film a father-and-son team engaged in the ancient and fascinating Inuit art of igloo building. Each turn of the page reveals another step in the process, from pacing off a circle to the secret of the sturdy design (the blocks of snow are placed in an ascending spiral) as well as the finishing touches-such amenities as a window made of ocean ice and a "porch" for storage space. The crisp lines of snow and shadow are enhanced rather than diminished by Steltzer's medium (black-and-white photography); linked with the lean but informative prose, the end result is dramatic in its simplicity. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6?A curious book with interesting black-and-white photographs, but little explanation of igloo construction, appearing here 14 years after its publication in Canada. The text states, regarding choice of ice from the ocean for a windowpane, "it gives much light to the inside, a strange blue-green light like that surrounding a swimmer under water." The black-and-white photos lose that and the sense of "whiteness" that makes Arctic regions so vivid. Bonnie Shemie's Houses of Snow, Skin and Bones (Tundra, 1989) does a much more thorough job of describing the construction of and living in snow houses, but has fewer illustrations. Charlotte and David Yue's The Igloo (Houghton, 1988) is more in-depth for a slightly older audience. All three titles emphasize that most Inuit no longer live in igloos but use the structure only while hunting or for winter survival. Building an Igloo could be used in concert with the other two but, alone, it is a vague nonfiction picture book that could best be used in collections focusing on the Arctic region.?Mollie Bynum, formerly at Chester Valley Elementary School, Anchorage, AK
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (September 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805037535
• ISBN-13: 978-0805037531
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,674,385 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful, informative, for all ages, June 30, 2004

By	Lucinda Calvo (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Building an Igloo (Paperback)

This lovely book reveals the igloo-building process through striking black & white photos and a simple, clear narrative. I recently obtained this book for use with a group of four-year-olds. The book was a hit with the kids, and to my surprise, I enjoyed it even more than they did. The high contrast, sharply detailed photos show just how these fascinating structures go together. The pictures and narrative both communicate respect for the skill and hard work of the Inuit builders, a father-and-son team. I heartily recommend this book to teachers, parents, and children, and also to those interested in documentary photography.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great as an Interactive Text For Young Children, March 8, 2007

By	R. Kirkham "jrkirkham" (Rushville, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Building an Igloo (Paperback)

This is an interesting book for 3rd or 4th grade children, but the book really shines at a much younger age. This would be a good book for parents to read to children. The book shows a father and son working together in a harsh environment. Although photographed in black & white, the pictures are artistic and carry the theme faithfully. Nearly every page could be a conversation piece. The child will come away with new information that may remain in the consciousness for years and the parent will come away from a time of conversational bonding.