Life Under Ice

In LIFE UNDER ICE, Marine photographer Bill Curtsinger has returned to Antarctica a number of times to photograph the animals and plants that survive in the icy, ice-capped waters at the end of the earth. Mary Cerullo shares his story with us, telling what’s it like to start a diving trip by cutting a hole in ice eight to ten feet thick, then diving into the chilly depths with the light shining through your entry hole the only beacon to your escape route. Bill’s amazing photographs and his curiosity about the world combine to show us a strange and wonderful part of our earth, where some fish survive by having clear blood that acts like antifreeze, jellyfish and sponges and sea spiders grow enormous, the food chain is short, and even minor changes in conditions can affect the survival rate of baby penguins. We learn how penguins and seals are adapted for life on the ice and under it, how the ice acts like a greenhouse roof for marine plants during Antarctica’s summer months, and how it keeps the water warmer than the air during the frigid winter. Bill meets scientists from all over the world who travel to Antarctica to study not only its marine life, but weather, the stars, climate change, and human impacts. This is inquiry-based science, up close—and often under ice. A glossary and resource list at the end of the book continue the learning, and an excellent curriculum guide on Antarctica is available online from the American Museum of Natural History.

Available wherever books are sold.

Honors and Awards:

Editor’s Choice, Audubon Magazine

Maine Student Book Award, 2004-2005 Nominee

Weight	1 lbs
Dimensions	9 x 10.00 x 1.016 in
Author	Mary M. Cerullo
Format	Paperback
ISBN	978-0-88448-747-0
Illustrator	Bill Curtsinger
Pages	40
Photographer	Bill Curtsinger

“Antarctica is revealed through Curtsinger’s brilliant, crisp, color pictures taken above and below the water and Cerullo’s smooth, clear narrative chronicling expeditions and dive trips that introduce current conditions, survival techniques, and animal adaptation. Indigenous wildlife and the effects of changes such as global warming and increased tourism are described. Not surprisingly, the rise in tourism has triggered the Human Impacts Research Program to protect Antarctica through the enactment of guidelines for scientists and visitors. The description of current and future research is brief but fascinating. An informative eye-opener for browsers and a supplement for reports.” -Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA, School Library Journal: Grade 3-5

“Illustrated with stunning color undersea photographs, this offers a fascinating look at the many creatures living near and beneath the waters of Antarctica, chronicling a project nature photographer Bill Curtsinger undertook to photograph and study the ice-bound animals and plants. In addition to providing a glimpse of what Curtsinger faced during this difficult, potentially dangerous assignment, Cerullo describes the life cycle of a variety of creatures and takes a look at how they manage to survive in such harsh conditions. The text is clear and well written, but it is the wonderful photography that distinguishes the book, revealing the strange, beautiful world beneath Antarctica. There is no index, but helpful appendixes include a list of Web sites, suggestions for further reading, and a glossary of the scientific terms used in the text. An interesting, appealing introduction to a unique ecosystem, for browsers and budding marine scientists.” -Ed Sullivan, Booklist: Gr. 3-5

“…enchanting glimpse… life under the Antartic ice…incredible array of animals and plants…seem straight out of storybook fantasy.” -Audubon Magazine, December 2003

“…his images …are breathtaking….The text is an exploration itself…offers kid friendly tidbits…” -Maine Sunday Telegram, June 15, 2003

“…visually stunning and educational look at the plants and animals that thrive in the frigid waters under Antarctica.” -Central Maine Newspapers, January 25, 2004

“Weirdness and beauty that will capture the most reluctant of readers as well as junior ecologists.” -Maine Sunday Telegram, February 26, 2005

“there’s enough weirdness and beauty combined to draw reluctant readers as well as animal lovers and junior ecologists.” -The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, September 2003

“…Spectacular photos chronicle the expedition, and Cerullo’s succinct text narrates this sometimes-harrowing adventure.” -Book Links, March 2008

“…amazing adventure under the antarctic ice…dazzling photos reveal abundant life…icy waters beneath…frozen desert few have experienced.” -Bill Allen, Editor, National Geographic Magazine

“…wonderful introduction to the rarely observed habitat beneath antarctic ice…a unique landscape teeming with strange creatures.” -Susan McElhinney, Photo Editor, Ranger Rick Magazine
Mary Cerullo is a children’s science writer and the author of our two Sea Soup books on phytoplankton and zooplankton, as well as many other children’s books, including “The Ocean Detectives” and “The Truth About Great White Sharks”. She is the director of the marine environmental organization Friends of Casco Bay in Maine.

Like many explorers before him, Bill Curtsinger first traveled to Antarctica as a young sailor. He was in the Navy Combat Camera Group, assigned to photograph the work of National Science Foundation researchers. In the years since, Bill’s photography has appeared in numerous books (including our Sea Soup books) and in every major world magazine, including thirty-three articles in “National Geographic” He lives in Yarmouth, Maine.