Books About Antarctica

The Best Antarctica Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about antarctica? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Antarctica

My Antarctica
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2024

My Antarctica

By G. Neri, Corban Wilkin (Illustrator)

An author fulfills his childhood dream of exploring the coldest place on Earth.

96 pages
4.5 Goodreads · 253 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Author G. Neri journeys to Antarctica, the coldest, windiest, highest and driest place on the planet, fulfilling the dream of the kid who once wanted to be an explorer. He describes the week of safety training, life among the scientists, and the strange sights he meets, from mummified seals to space robots, mixing history and research with his own adventure.
Sophie Scott Goes South
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2012

Sophie Scott Goes South

By Alison Lester

A girl joins her father's icebreaker on a dangerous voyage to Antarctica.

40 pages· 3,246 words· Est. 25 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 370 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Nine-year-old Sophie sails with her dad, the captain of an icebreaker, on a month-long voyage from Australia to Mawson Station in Antarctica. In her own words, drawings and photographs, she records icebergs, penguins, seals and whales. Based on the author's own trip, it is a journal of a real Antarctic journey through a child's eyes.
Penguins and Antarctica
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2008

Penguins and Antarctica

By Mary Pope Osborne, Natalie Pope Boyce, Sal Murdocca (Illustrator) · Book #18 in the Magic Tree House: Fact Tracker series

Uncover penguin mysteries and Antarctic secrets with Jack and Annie's fact-finding adventure.

128 pages· 6,545 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 533 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Join Jack and Annie as they return from their Antarctic adventure with burning questions about penguins and the South Pole. Discover what penguins eat, why they huddle, and the secrets of Antarctic research stations. Dive into a world of facts, photos, and fun tidbits that bring their magical journey to life. Will they uncover the mysteries of the icy continent? Perfect for curious minds, this fact tracker is an exciting companion to their fictional escapades, blending adventure with real-world knowledge. Explore the wonders of Antarctica and satisfy your curiosity alongside Jack and Annie's thrilling discoveries.
Penguin Puzzle
Sale price
$474
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1995

Penguin Puzzle

By Judith Bauer Stamper, Ted Enik (Illustrator) · Book #8 in the The Magic School Bus Chapter Book series

Students must solve a penguin puzzle in Antarctica after a magical transformation.

96 pages· 8,925 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 1,402 ratings
$4.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Ms. Frizzle takes her class on an Antarctic adventure, where they encounter penguins and icebergs. But when the students magically turn into penguins themselves, they must rely on Ms. Frizzle's guidance to navigate this chilly conundrum. Can they solve the puzzle and return to their human forms before it's too late?
Race to the South Pole
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2016

Race to the South Pole

By Kate Messner, Kelley McMorris (Illustrator) · Book #4 in the Ranger in Time series

A young boy named Jack Nin stows away on a ship headed to Antarctica to help his family's struggling market garden.

160 pages· 16,089 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 628 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Ranger, a time-traveling golden retriever, finds himself on a treacherous expedition to Antarctica. Alongside Jack Nin, a stowaway turned cabin boy, they face deadly ice, killer whales, and fierce blizzards. As they race against a rival explorer to reach the South Pole, survival becomes the ultimate challenge. Can Ranger and Jack overcome the odds in this frozen wilderness?
The Crown of Fire
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

The Crown of Fire

By Tony Abbott · Book #4 in the The Copernicus Legacy series

Four kids race across the globe for the last relics as assassins close in.

560 pages
4.2 Goodreads · 332 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Every Guardian of the astronomer Copernicus's twelve relics has sworn to protect them with their life, and now the despicable Galina Krause is plotting to assassinate them all. Wade, Darrell, Lily and Becca are more alone than ever as they race from France to Antarctica to find the remaining relics before time runs out. To save the world, they may have to risk the life of one of their own in this final book of the series.
Except Antarctica
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

Except Antarctica

By Todd Sturgell

A turtle defies the odds to reach Antarctica, challenging nature's limits.

40 pages· 371 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 1,013 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: A determined turtle sets out to prove a narrator wrong by reaching Antarctica, a place no turtle has gone before. Joined by a band of adventurous animals, they journey through diverse landscapes and cross an ocean. Will they succeed in their quest, and what surprises await them at the icy destination? This humorous tale of determination and unexpected friendships will leave you wondering just how far one can go to prove a point.
Penguins!
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2009

Penguins!

By Anne Schreiber · National Geographic Readers series

Discover why penguins are nature's rock stars and their surprising habits.

32 pages· 1,161 words· Est. 13 min read
4.2 Goodreads · 511 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Dive into the world of penguins, nature's unexpected celebrities. As tall as a five-year-old, these fascinating creatures have quirky habits, like their peculiar way of feeding. What makes them so unique? Explore their lives and uncover the mysteries behind their stardom. Perfect for young explorers eager to learn about these waddling wonders.
The Emperor's Egg
Sale price
$2659
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 1999

The Emperor's Egg

By Martin Jenkins, Jane Chapman (Illustrator) · Read and Wonder series

A male Emperor penguin takes care of his egg while his mate is away.

32 pages· 815 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
4.1 Goodreads · 612 ratings
$27.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In the icy expanse of Antarctica, the male Emperor penguin faces a daunting challenge: surviving the harsh winter without food while keeping an egg warm on his feet. As his mate swims the ocean, he stands steadfast, embodying nature's ultimate devotion. Discover the incredible resilience and dedication of this remarkable father in a tale filled with fascinating penguin facts. Will his patience and endurance be enough to see the egg safely hatch? Dive into this captivating story of survival and parental love in the most extreme conditions on Earth.
Who Was Ernest Shackleton?
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Who Was Ernest Shackleton?

By James Buckley Jr., Who HQ, Max Hergenrother (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A daring explorer faces perilous Antarctic challenges.

112 pages· 7,394 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 463 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Ernest Shackleton, captivated by sea tales, embarks on a perilous Antarctic expedition aboard the Endurance in 1914. As unforeseen tragedies strike, his leadership and courage are tested against nature's harshest elements. Will he and his crew survive the ultimate test of endurance and resilience? Discover the gripping true story of adventure and survival in the icy wilderness.
Ages 7–10Junior Chapter Book Club

Great books for ages 7–10, every month.

Two hardcover chapter books a month for readers ready for longer stories, with coordinated spines for a beautiful shelf.

See the Junior Chapter Book ClubFrom $21.95 a box
Books from the Junior Chapter Book Club in a Bookroo box
Browse by age

Antarctica Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about antarctica for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Who Eats What?
Sale price
$1589

Who Eats What?

Ages 4–8 · 1994

Discover the vital connections in Earth's intricate food chain.

If You Were a Penguin
Sale price
$1999

If You Were a Penguin

Ages 4–8 · 2008

Discover the playful world of penguins through rhyme and vibrant illustrations.

Antarctic Antics
Sale price
$799

Antarctic Antics

Ages 4–7 · 1998

Discover the playful world of Emperor penguins through whimsical rhymes.

Antarctica
Sale price
$2425

Antarctica

Ages 7–+ · 1994

What survives on the frozen continent at the bottom of the world?

Zenguin
Sale price
$1599

Zenguin

Ages 4–8 · 2026

An anxious penguin learns mindfulness to find inner peace in a bustling colony.

Penguins
Series
Sale price
$948

Penguins

2004

Flightless seabirds raise their chicks in some of the coldest places on Earth.

Hello, Penguin!
Series
Sale price
$499

Hello, Penguin!

Ages 3–5 · 2017

Discover the fascinating world of penguins and expand your vocabulary through engaging activities.

Penguins!
Sale price
$1299

Penguins!

Ages 4–6 · 2017

Follow a penguin couple's journey to raise their chicks in Antarctica's icy world.

View all antarctica picture books
Browse by age

Antarctica Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about antarctica for developing and independent readers.

Penguins
Series
Sale price
$3571

Penguins

Ages 6–9 · 2010

Discover the fascinating world of penguins, from their clumsy land waddle to their underwater grace.

Where Is Antarctica?
Series
Sale price
$699

Where Is Antarctica?

Ages 8–12 · 2019

The story of the discovery of Antarctica and the explorers who risked their lives to reach the South Pole.

View all antarctica chapter books