This utter delight of a story is highly recommended!

Readings Bookshops, Melbourne

To the Ice

Three children go on a polar expedition in this thrilling adventure for newly independent readers—an epic story that blurs realism and imagination, illustrated in color throughout. 

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.

Translated from the Swedish edition by Julia Marshall.

Look inside video | Author Q&A


  • Book Details

    Country of Origin Sweden
    Reader Age 6-8 year, 8-12 year
    Book Size
    ISBN

  • Reviews

    1. 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.”

    2. Publishers Weekly

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

    3. Foreword Reviews

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

    4. 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

    5. Outside in World

      Ideal for newly independent readers To the Ice is a beautifully produced chapter book full of adventure.

    6. London Review Bookshop

      New and recommended for children 2023

    7. Gardners Booksellers Circle – Darling Reads

      It’s the perfect book for children who have become newly independent readers, or a lovely story to snuggle up and read together.

    8. Booklist, starred review

      Adventure-seeking readers will delight in this dramatic escapade that’s sure to spark imaginative exploration, fish balls optional.

    9. The Library of Klee

      This is the perfect wee book for budding explorers.

    10. Publishers Weekly

      An enthralling blend of survivalist realism and fantasy.

    11. Foreword Reviews

      Supported by soft, whimsical illustrations, To the Ice is a three-chapter story that follows the trio on their adventure to return home.

    12. Foreword Reviews

      Supported by soft, whimsical illustrations, To the Ice is a three-chapter story that follows the trio on their adventure to return home.

    13. Readings Bookshops, Melbourne

      This utter delight of a story is highly recommended!

    14. Wardini Bookstore, NZ Herald

      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.


Available worldwide from your local bookstore or online.

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