Realizing his childhood dream of becoming an explorer while encouraging readers to share in it, Neri investigates the fantastical, foreboding desert of Antarctica in a dynamically illustrated travelogue with appeal as vast as that inhospitable terrain. . . . Through the text's easy banter and welcoming tone, Neri captures the collegial, camp-like atmosphere of the research base, making its geographic remoteness unexpectedly accessible. . . . With strong back matter, this high-interest nonfiction field guide celebrates curiosity and offers a fascinating snapshot of daily life in an icy wonderland. Recommended for all collections.
--Booklist (starred review)

After securing a grant from the National Science Foundation, Neri made his first efforts to become a "science translator," aiming to bring stories about nature to kids who have little access to it. He does just that in this delightful travel diary, recounting his experience at the main U.S. facility in Antarctica with the enthusiasm and glee of a kid in a toy store. . . Cartoony illustrations and dialogue bubbles are set against full-color photographs, with Neri the primary figure, sketched with zigzagged lines and dappled textures that easily convey his childish wonder as he works with different scientists.
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books