Kirkpatrick, Katherine. 2007. THE SNOW BABY: THE ARCTIC CHILDHOOD OF ROBERT E. PEARY'S DARING DAUGHTER. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823419738 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-6]
REVIEW
What would it be like to be born in a lodge in arctic Greenland and not see the sun for four whole months? In 1893? This story of the “Snow Baby” daughter of famous arctic explorer, Admiral Robert E. Peary is compelling reading, particularly with the inclusion of many, many photographs. Eight chronological chapters describe her life among the Inuit and the special relationship she formed with the people. Her unique parents, her explorer father and feminist mother, are fascinating each in their own right and the backdrop of the extended family and historical context add interest to this biographical tale. Marie, called “Snow Baby” by the Inuit, who had never seen a blonde-haired, blue-eyed child, traveled back and forth between the arctic expeditions of her father and her mother's family home in the U.S. The narrative is packed with details that will grab children including unusual Christmas celebrations and special friendships among the Inuit people. The book concludes with an extensive bibliography and source notes.
CONNECTIONS
Children may enjoy looking at other photo-biographies of children who led interesting lives such as HELEN KELLER: HER LIFE IN PICTURES ISBN 9780439918152 by George Sullivan.
Or they may want to learn more about Inuit ways:
STONES, BONES AND STITCHES: STORYTELLING THROUGH INUIT ART by Shelley Falconer and Shawna White. ISBN 0887768547
THE INUIT THOUGHT OF IT: AMAZING ARCTIC INNOVATIONS by Alootook Ipellie and David MacDonald. ISBN 1554510872
FROZEN LAND (VANISHING CULTURES) by Jan Reynolds. ISBN 1600601286
RELATED BOOKS
Other books about arctic exploration:
Johnson, Delores. ONWARD: A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLAR EXPLORER MATTHEW HENSON. ISBN 1426302681
By Sylvia M. Vardell
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