From special tears that protect their eyes in salty seawater to their migrations for feeding and giving birth, harp seals have many special adaptations for thriving in their freezing home. Find an explanation for how harp seals survive in the Arctic on each page of this vibrant title!

On the gleaming white ice, a little seal pup dozes in the sun. Her fluffy white fur camouflages her and helps her stay hidden from enemies. Soon the pup's mother will return from her fishing trip in the ocean. Then the hungry pup will enjoy feeding on her mom's rich milk. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary-grade audience, this colorful, fact-filled book gives readers a chance not only to learn all about harp seals and how their bodies are adapted to the extreme cold, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. Built-in activities, such as describing the different stages of a seal pup's development will give readers a chance to gain, insights beyond the facts and figures.

Photographs of a mother and baby seal and how they survive on the ice floes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

On the Arctic ice, a mother harp seal gives birth to her pup. Camouflaged against the ice by its white fur, the helpless pup sticks close to mom, feeding on her rich milk. So begins the life of a harp seal pup. In this coming-of-age introduction to these adorable marine mammals, readers will learn that after just two weeks, the mother seal abandons her pup and returns to the sea. The little pup waits alone on the ice for its white baby coat to be replaced by gray fur, and then, at just a few weeks old, it dives into the freezing sea to find its own food and begin its ocean-dwelling life. The colorful interior spreads and gorgeous photos of fluffy, white seal pups are sure to delight emergent readers.

The Arctic is a land of ice and snow, a harsh world that seems ill-suited to young animals. Yet it is here that harp seal pups are raised. They must quickly learn how to fend for themselves, for in less than two weeks after birth they are weaned from their mothers and are forced to live on their own. Matthews and Guravich trace the life cycle of these fascinating animals who are true Arctic survivors. Full-color photos.

"Follow baby harp seals' first experiences through engaging text, fun facts, and vibrant photography"--