Tom Crean’s Rabbit by Meredith Hooper, illustrated by Bert Kitchen

Subtitled “A true story from Scott’s last voyage”, this is a new reprint (originally published in 1998) of a very popular picture book, set on the ship Terra Nova. It is 1910 and Captain Scott and his men (including Tom Crean) are on their last expedition to Antarctica – “pushing through the ice towards land”. Preparations are underway for an onboard Christmas celebration.

The illustrations give an insight into life on board: we see a cat, parrot, ponies, dogs, barrels and sacks as Tom looks for a suitable spot for his rabbit. Icebergs, penguins and a couple of whales can be seen from the deck of the Terra Nova.

We here at National Library School Services consider Tom Crean's Rabbit a very useful book for teachers who are studying Antarctica with their younger students. There is some factual information about Tom Crean at the back of the book.

And of course it is a sweet little story to read to the class as well.

Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books