Ernest Shackleton

I love how much I am learning from reading this series of cute little picture books. I'm also amazed at how much I didn't know before reading these books. I feel like I'm missing something! This one is about Ernest Shackleton, an Irish explorer. I like how much he is portrayed as a really positive leader. He wanted to cross Antarctica from one side to the other. He encountered trials that made his goal impossible but he made sure that all of the men with him came home safely! Loved this so much!

Curiosity and Survival This picture book tells a little of the life of Ernest Shackleton, who made several daring expeditions to Antarctica and the South Pole. We learn of his life as a curious child before he joins the merchant navy so that he can see more of the world. The book also details his initial near-disastrous, failed expedition to cross Antarctica via the South Pole and all the perils that he and the crew faced. The true story is a testament to survival (no one died) and perseverance in the face of incredible odds. (Imagine your ship getting stuck in ice for 9 months before thawing ice broke it up, and it sank!) In the back of the book, the author provides more detail about Shackleton's life, including photos. I wasn't wild about the illustrations in this book. To me, they seemed crude. Yes, they were colorful, but they reminded me of something a talented child could do. If you have a child who is interested in explorers or explorations, she or he might enjoy this book. I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.