Emperor of the Ice: How a Changing Climate Affects a Penguin Colony, written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Catherine Rayner. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Not just any ice will do: it must be low 
enough to leap up onto from the ocean,  
it must be smooth enough to walk over 
and slide on, and it must last through
winter into early summer - just long 
enough to raise a chick!"

It's very hard for scientists to keep watch on emperor penguins in person: they live in such remote regions. They can, however, observe them from satellites in space and they do. That is how they learned that Halley Bay was no longer a nesting ground for thousands of them. The sea ice there could not be relied on for the needs of the penguins as they met, mated, and raised their chicks.

Nicola Davies is a terrific writer and researcher who manages to find compelling stories that are sure to appeal to young readers concerned about the natural world. This story might have been accusatory concerning the effects of climate change on the environment. Instead, it is a clear and positive story of a penguin family that takes into account their changing world, and their need to adapt to the changes happening for their way of life. 

The emperors need the harsh climate to mate and have their babies. The ice must meet certain criteria for that to happen. Halley Bay was at one time perfect. So, the mother returned in April looking for a mate, and assuring herself that they would make a good team. In the cold dark of an inhospitable place, the egg is laid, hatched, and cared for by both. At first, the mother returns to the ocean to feed while her mate is left to protect the egg from increasingly fierce winds and wild weather. Her return is met with joy. From that point until the chick has grown and can fend for itself, the two do everything they can for it. 

Exemplary mixed media artwork matches the tone of the story told, and gives a clear look at the harsh Antarctic environment. Dynamic shifts in perspective allow readers to get a real feel for the remoteness and the isolation of the setting. It is reassuring for readers to learn that the penguins from Halley Bay have found new homes for now by moving further north. 

What a fine story of resilience, adaptation, and hope this proves to be.