This beautiful book on frozen environments is perfect for capturing students' imaginations. It is easy to read and full of excellent photographs, anecdotes on the filming of the documentary series and lots of interesting facts. I have used it to accompany parts from the documentary when teaching about the polar ecosystems. The book effectively explains useful key terminology using photos and descriptions. A recurring message is how climate change is affecting polar regions and how animals and marine wildlife are increasingly impacted and threatened. Teachers can use it to start discussions, set research work, and start independent studies. 

This extensively illustrated travel guide explores the wildlife of Antarctica and how species are adapted to survive in this harsh environment. But Antarctica is under threat. The warming ocean is reducing the amount of sea ice, which in turn poses a serious threat throughout the food chain. This resource includes an extensive list of marine and land wildlife, with lots of interesting details, as well as a glossary of terms for snow and ice. It will enable students to research birds, animals, plants, insects and marine invertebrates, many of which they may not have heard of. You could use this book with students for a variety of activities, such as comparing species in other ecosystems. The companion book on the Arctic in the same series would be ideal for this (see below).  In class, it could be used in an activity where students plan their trip to Antarctica, describe what they will see there and explain how animals and plants have adapted. 

Another beautifully illustrated travel guide, which explores the wildlife of the Arctic and how species are adapted to survive. Like Antarctica, the Arctic is under threat, despite it having a greater biodiversity. The warming ocean is reducing the amount of sea ice and the permafrost is melting at an alarming rate, posing a serious threat throughout the food chain. This book includes a detailed extensive list of marine and land wildlife, as well as a glossary of terms for snow and ice and will enable students to research birds, animals, plants, insects and marine invertebrates. You could use this book with students for a wide variety of activities, such as comparing species in other ecosystems - the companion book on Antarctica in the same series (see above) would be ideal.

Nicklen, an acclaimed wildlife photographer, has captured the lives of many polar inhabitants in different habitats, both human and animal. The stunning photography in this book will instantly draw your students in and encourage questions about the cold ecosystems in both polar regions. 

This book combines the nature and history of the Arctic to create an engaging resource that will leave you marvelling at the journeys humans and animals take in this region. Lopez captures Inuit life, describes the diverse wildlife and discusses Arctic exploration and potential scenarios for the future. Traditionally, indigenous peoples have played their part in maintaining a balanced ecosystem through sustainable living, hunting and fishing, but with mineral exploitation and the developments in modern technology, greater stress has been imposed on the humans and wildlife of the Arctic. The book covers the Arctic as a whole ecosystem in which humans and animals play a role.