Erik Brooks

Polar Opposites is a story about two friends, a bear (Alex) and a penguin (Zina), who live on opposites sides of the world. Throughout the story, the two are getting ready for a trip to see each other. This gives a spotlight to how different the two are: Alex is messy and Zina is neat; Alex likes bright clothes, Zina does not. Even though the two are very different, they still are able to "meet in the middle" at the end of the story. This turns out to be the driving message of the book. There are two characters who go about their lives in entirely different ways, but can still compromise, and even find similarities in themselves.… (more)

Polar Opposites is a trade book about Alex, a polar, and Zina, a penguin, who are very different from each other, but they found a way to meet in the middle. The illustrations in Polar Opposites are very cute and detailed. It shows the cold winter days. Teachers can use this book in the classroom by teaching that total opposites can share something in common too or just a great book to read to the classroom. My interpretations of this book are that total opposites can always find a way to meet in the middle.… (more)