The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish: Based on a True Story

by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Beth Krommes (Illustrator)

A riveting, unforgettable survival story, poetically told and exquisitely illustrated with rounded scratchboard art, that captures the strength and grace of Inupiaq culture. In 1913, a boat called Fish , part of the Canadian Arctic Expedition, became stuck in the Arctic ice. On board were a captain and crew, scientists and explorers, a cat, forty sled dogs, Inupiaq hunters, and an Inupaiq family with two small girls. Even with the Inupiat and their skills of hunting and sewing, even with the family’s care and wisdom, even with the compassion and courage of their captain, odds for survival in the cold dark Arctic seem against the passengers of the Karluk. And by the story’s end, readers will know something of the way of life in the high north, something of the song of the place, the wide sky, the sound of the wind, the ptarmigan. This beautiful 48-page book includes details of centuries-old crafts and skills—of sewing boots from caribou legs and ugruk skin, of quickly cutting snow houses, of wearing wooden goggles to ward off snow blindness—that will enrich modern imaginations.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, History, Adventure

48 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2001

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This handsomely illustrated account of the arduous arctic travails of a group of sailors, Inupiaqs, and animals whose ship becomes trapped in the ice after dropping off some explorers treads a fine line between historical veracity and horrifying realism. Some people die! But the level of fear and suffering which I can only imagine many felt are not dwelt on. And don't worry, the cat lives.

This is pretty text-heavy. Definitely more for older kids. If you're planning to read it with smaller tots, I'd read alone first and decide how best to edit for length, because there's a lot of detail about daily tasks. Your kid's mileage may vary.

There are some notes, although none that explain why this Inupiaq couple with a two small children (the younger was two!) chose to go on the long and dangerous trip.

[Luann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tells the true survival story of a group of scientists, explorers, hunters, and an Inupiaq family whose boat was frozen in the Arctic ice. This was written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, who also wrote Snowflake Bentley, a favorite book I love to share with library students. Depite that, I have mixed feelings about this one. I wasn't immediately pulled into the story. I kept trying to figure out if the text was going to rhyme. I was glad when it didn't, but it still took me a bit to get used to the poem-like format of the text.

Once I get involved with the story, though, I forgot about the text and just enjoyed it. It is a very interesting and engaging true story of survival. It's a little too long for me to share with my library classes in one lesson, but I might use it sometime spread over two lessons. I think it's a book children could enjoy, but more so if it is read aloud to them. I've had very few children checking it out and reading it on their own.

I might have really loved this if it was a bit shorter so that I could easily read it aloud to library classes, but I wouldn't have wanted to miss out on details of the story and actually would have even enjoyed a bit more. The illustrations pair well with the story and help clear up some questions I might have had in places where the text didn't give enough detail. It was great getting to see several photographs of the real people at the end of the book. I wouldn't mind reading more about these people and their story sometime. 3.5 stars.

[Makenzie Sliva · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish: Based on a True Story is a book that tells the story of a Canadian arctic expedition that occurred in 1913. I found it very interesting that the book was based on a true story. The story portrayed the culture of ancient history and the survival tactics that the people used during that time. The illustrations in this book were breathtaking. There was an incredible amount of detail in each picture providing the reader with a very accurate representation of what the arctic looks like. Beth Krommes used the scratchboard technique to create her illustrations which gave each picture a lot of detail and an interesting effect. This story helps give an accurate representation of the story and reinforce the readers knowledge about the topic. This book would be great to use in a history unit.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Broken into six chapters, this picture books tells of an actual Artic expedition that included two small girls, a cat and a dog and how their ship sunk, leaving them stuck in the middle of the ice.

Ages: 7 - 10

#geography #artic #exploration

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[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long picture book with a lot of words. Perhaps more like a grade school science book. This was the recounting of an arctic adventure. The art was pretty good. The text was just a little bit stilted. There was an okay afterword. We got to learn some native words and technologies. It could have been even more detailed - which probably wouldn't have worked. But less words and more details might have worked better. 3.5 of 5

[Michelle Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In depth portrayal of indigenous life in northern Alaska with detailed illustrations. Endurance, resourcefulness, travel are depicted well. Engaging for 7-11 year olds; at younger ages, a good read aloud with an adult.

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a beautiful stunning book. Its the story of how an Inupiaq family survived on a boat trip in the Arctic. It explained how the mom sewn all the warm clothes for the crew and what they ate to survive in a cold unwavering environment. Artwork is just wonderful as the story itself.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding illustrations; fascinating story; excellent story-telling.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it, but my five-year-old LOVES it.

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting arctic exploration story! Very easy to read and informative.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The incredible survival story of the survivors of the shipwrecked Karluk. I have never heard this story.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soothing speculation, striking details and spellbinding scratchboard art present a gripping account of Karluk’s last icy voyage and the strength and resourcefulness that beat all odds.

Listen to our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

[Maureen Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical language & striking illustrations relate this terrific story of survival in the Arctic. The fact that the author features the 2 children on board makes this an engaging readaloud for Juniors, especially when they study natives of North America.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well-done J nonfiction. Fantastic illustrations. Probably best for grades 2 and up.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids were captivated by the art work and the story held them on the edge of their seat. They love outdoor survival stories and the fact that this one is based on a true story made it more thrilling.

[Heather Herron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and Historically Connected children's book

I read this for a children's lit class. The author collaborated with some elders and conducted other research. It was interesting to get facts and info connecting the story to actual places and people of Barrow. The art work is beautiful and the non-native author press us this story with humility and respect.