Fall 2023

To the Ice

  • Interest Level: Grade 1 - Grade 3
  • Reading Level: Grade 2

Three children go on a polar expedition in this thrilling adventure story for newly independent readers that blurs realism and imagination.

Ida, Max, and Jack go to the creek one winter’s day. They play on an ice floe then find themselves floating away—all the way to the polar ice, with just a box, a branch and some sandwiches.

“You probably don’t think it’s true, and we didn’t either, not even while it was happening…”

They find an old hut, meet penguins, see extraordinary things, and, after testing their resources in this dramatic land of ice and snow, come home safe at the end of the day.

“What shall we say about where we’ve been?” asked Max.

“Tell the truth,” I said. “We don’t know.”

To the Ice is a beautifully produced chapter book that absorbs young readers in a real-life make-believe filled with problem-solving and adventure. This is a thrilling and plot-filled story for budding explorers and ice adventurers—the kind of book children will remember throughout their lives.

Thomas Tidholm is a Swedish photographer, poet, playwright, and writer. He and Anna-Clara Tidholm have together created a string of award-winning books for children since the early 1980s.

Anna-Clara Tidholm is one of Sweden’s leading children’s book authors and illustrators with a varied and rich bibliography. Her prizes include the Elsa Beskow plaque, German Youth Literature Prize, Astrid Lindgren prize and August prize.

Translated from the Swedish edition by Julia Marshall.

Praise for To the Ice
“[A]n enthralling blend of survivalist realism and fantasy.”—Publishers Weekly
“This utter delight of a story is highly recommended!”—Readings, Australia
“A good children’s book ignites curiosity in adults. To the Ice left me with research rabbit holes to go down and connections to make. On one level, this is an adventure story along the lines of Where the Wild Things Are.” —New Zealand Herald

Format Your Price Add
978-1-77657-507-7
$14.24
978-1-77657-510-7
$23.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% when you buy direct!
Interest Level Grade 1 - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 2
Copyright 2023
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Gecko Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 80
Publication Date 2023-11-07
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV001000, JUV051000, JUV030120
Dewey [Fic]
Dimensions 6.7 x 8.3
Features Awards, Original artwork, Reviewed, Starred Reviews, and Teaching Guides

Author: Thomas Tidholm

Thomas Tidholm is a Swedish photographer, poet, playwright, and writer. He and Anna-Clara Tidholm have together created a string of award-winning books for children since the early 1980s.

Illustrator: Anna-Clara Tidholm

Anna-Clara Tidholm is one of Sweden's leading children's book authors and illustrators with a varied and rich bibliography. Her prizes include the Elsa Beskow plaque, German Youth Literature Prize, Astrid Lindgren prize, and August prize. 

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

To the Ice

Three children go on a polar expedition in this thrilling adventure story for newly independent readers that blurs realism and imagination. Ida, Max, and Jack go to the creek one winter’s day. They play on an ice floe then find themselves floating away—all… View available downloads →

Awards

  • Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices, Winner, 2024

Reviews

The Horn Book Magazine

“Whether imagined or not, the survival tale is entirely engrossing and memorable in Ida’s detailed, matter-of-fact, smoothly translated telling. The illustrations are equally successful at showing the children as small figures against vast icy backgrounds and close-up and cozy in their hut. A thrilling polar adventure for armchair travelers.”—The Horn Book Magazine

Booklist

“[T]he story rings with industrious optimism and emotional truth. . . . Adventure-seeking readers will delight in this dramatic escapade that’s sure to spark imaginative exploration, fish balls optional.”—starred, Booklist

Foreword Reviews

“Supported by soft, whimsical illustrations . . . . Determination plays a key role in their story.”—Foreword Reviews

Publishers Weekly

“[A] strange, enthralling blend of survivalist realism and fantasy.”—Publishers Weekly