This arctic adaptation of “This is the House that Jack Built” follows polar bears, walruses, seals, narwhals and beluga whales as they chase each other around “the ice that floats in the Arctic waters.” Not only is the rhythmic, cumulative prose good for early readers; it is a pure delight to read aloud. The “For Creative Minds” section helps children learn how these animals live in the cold, icy arctic region. PreSchool-Grade 3—This cumulative tale introduces six animals, beginning with a small fish and ending with a grouchy-looking polar bear. The story builds as each creature is chased by a slightly larger one. When a man (a rosy-cheeked Inuit with harpoon in hand) appears on their ice chunk, the animals have a stroke of good luck: the ice splits in two, separating them from the hunter. The rhyming text is fast-moving and fun. However, the animals' interaction is poorly defined; neither the text nor the illustrations clarify whether the animals are playing with or hunting one another. Cartoon facial expressions range from gleeful to panic-stricken. The depiction of the Inuit hunter is somewhat stereotypical. In addition, the six animals, along with the man and his sled dog, are pictured together on one ridiculously small piece of ice. A four-page information section provides basic facts about each of the animals featured, the Inuit, and Arctic waters in general. A cut-and-color activity and Web address are also included.— Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. The rhyming text is fast-moving and fun. Cartoon facial expressions range from gleeful to panic-stricken... A four-page information section provides basic facts about each of the animals featured, the Inuit, and Arctic waters in general. --School Library Journal Taken alone, the book is a fun read-aloud, and one children will enjoy on their own. With the addition of the activities and factual information, it provides many avenues for extended learning. Recommended. --Library Media Connection Be sure to add this book to preschool and elementary shelves for enjoyment and use it to supplement science, geography, or math lessons. It will be a popular kids choice. --Children's Literature Laura Crawford was an accomplished teacher and reading specialist at Sleepy Hollow School in the Chicago area. While teaching a science unit on the Arctic region, she became fascinated with the unique animals of the Arctic. The cumulative tale, In Arctic Waters, is the result of her curiosity and was written with her students in mind. Laura also authored The Pilgrims' Thanksgiving From A to Z, The American Revolution from A to Z, Postcards from Washington, Postcards from Chicago, and Postcards from New York City. She was an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and credits the critique groups with much of her success. Ben Hodson is an award-winning illustrator of nearly twenty books. He loves creating art and he also loves a good adventure, like hiking the Rocky Mountains with a team of rescued wild burros, living in a mountain village in Nepal, or drawing comics with youth in South Africa. Ben created the artwork for How the Moon Regained Her Shape using acrylic paints, handmade papers, old wallpaper, pencil crayons, gesso, and ink on watercolor paper. He illustrates full time from his home in Ottawa, Canada.