  | Arctic adventure : a tundra tale Author: Gopal, Jyoti Rajan | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
Journey through the majestic Arctic landscape following a pair of arctic foxes and a human mother and child on their intersecting adventures.
| Illustrator: | Cook, Alexandra |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (12/15/25)
School Library Journal (+) (11/21/25)
The Hornbook (12/23/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 10/27/2025 Rajan Gopal (Love Is Here with You) and Cook (Hush, Little Rocket) provide a dynamic snapshot of the arctic tundra in this melodic picture book. The story opens with a morning that feels like night, under which "a full moon gazes down." Little Fox and Mama Fox emerge from their den, encountering a polar bear, a flock of rock ptarmigans, and more, as narration largely emphasizes Little Fox’s at times eager and at times uncertain perspective ("Little Fox yelps,/ her paws scrabbling back"). Meanwhile, a pair of pale-skinned humans-one with a telephoto lens in hand-shadow the foxes. While the vulpine duo leap among drifting ice, the human adult and child look on from a boat, taking in a vista that includes toothy walruses and a spread-filling whale. As a snowstorm descends, the human youth and Little Fox worriedly utter in parallel, "Mama?" Naturally, parental comfort proves close at hand, and the twined tale winds down with electric-hued northern lights followed by bedtime snuggles. Mixed media artwork incorporates magnetic, intense colors and frequently angular elements that highlight the landscape’s stark qualities. Back matter offers more about the arctic tundra; a note acknowledges artistic license in the visuals. Ages 3-6. (Jan.) - Copyright 2025
School Library Journal - 11/21/2025 PreS-Gr 1—Set in Svalbard, Norway, the story and pictures of this boldly conceived northern tale burst with coziness and whimsy. A fox pup and her mother parallel the journey of a human child and parent. When a storm arrives, the child and fox meet and huddle together for warmth. Only when their parents arrive are they able to find their way home. The message that the tundra is a shared home for human beings and animals alike beats strongly through the pages and images. The art is simply off the charts. The colors are deep and bold, the textures and images layered and crisp, and the contrasts are stark. The vocabulary is quite sophisticated, so young readers will benefit from having the book read to them. VERDICT A must-have for read-alouds in schools, this northern tale will captivate both ears and eyes alike of young listeners and onlookers.—Benjamin Ludwig - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
