• Age: 7 to 10
• Grade: k to 5

World-class photographer and science writer Wayne Lynch takes us to one of his favorite parts of the world: the Arctic. Using a plant, an animal or a phenomenon for each letter of the alphabet, Lynch describes the unique ways in which systems for living differ where temperature and light can be amazingly extreme. But Lynch also dispels the myth of the Arctic as a perpetually frozen landscape by introducing us to the birds, mammals, insects and plant life that thrive in the short yet glorious sun-filled days of summer.

Wayne Lynch
Recognized and respected as one of North America's leading wildlife and natural history photographers, Wayne Lynch has spent the last forty-two years capturing images of wildlife in wild places the world over. His impressive photo credits include hundreds of magazine covers, thousands of calendar shots, and tens of thousands of images published in over sixty countries. Lynch is also an award-winning science writer, a popular guest lecturer, and a veteran photo safari leader. His practical and entertaining approach to natural history, whether it be through the written or spoken word, has attracted the admiration of audiences worldwide. He has photographed both common and unusual creatures in their native habitat in more than fifty countries, travelling extensively for long periods of time and often undergoing considerable physical hardship to get the "perfect shot."

With an exceptional ability to write for both adults and children, Lynch has authored more than fifth highly acclaimed natural history books, including The Great Northern Kingdom: Life in the Boreal Forest, Wild Birds Across the Prairies, Penguins of the World,Mountain Bears, Bear: Monarchs of the Northern Wilderness, A is for Arctic: Natural Wonders of a Polar World, The Nature Babies Series and the wildly popular children's book The Scoop on Poop: The Fascinating Science of How Animals Use Poop.

Lynch is a Fellow of the internationally recognized Explorers Club and Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America. Lynch lives in Calgary with his wife of forty-five years, Aubrey Lang.

Wayne Lynch's profile page

Full of amazing photographs taken by the author.

Toronto Star

This is a fantastic book for teachers and students alike. It is written in an informative and easy-to-read style and is a definite must have for any library or classroom.

Resource Links

Clear color photographs accompany each half-page-long profile. Balancing the familiar with the unusual, this book offers a broad look at the surprisingly diverse ecology of the Arctic.

Horn Book Guide

Exceptionally fine photos, one on each page, illustrate the text. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say to say that two or three paragraphs of text accompany each photo. In any case, the overall effect is of visiting an unfamiliar landscape accompanied by a knowledgeable and communicative uncle.

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