One of the nice things about a subject and not a person is, while you can contest some facts or you are always adding to the knowledge at hand, a theme like The Ice Age is not necessarily controversial (compared to someone like Walt Disney, Michael Jackson, Helen Keller, or even Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). Therefore, when I was reading this addition to the “Who/What” series I was really reading it and not wondering, “Are they going to mention X?” Or “Will they get into that controversy?”
In Nico Medina’s What Was the Ice Age? I learned facts I had no idea about. Though this book is aimed at ages 8 to 12 (give or take depending on your reader) it can be adapted to most ages, even adults. It is a great introduction on the subject. The easy-to-understand language, the timelines, the extras within the book itself brings to life the Ice Ages… yes, there was not just one and if things continue as they should, there will be more. There have been “full blown” eras of ice and “Mini Ice Ages” in contemporary history. There are cave drawings, early carvings and an understanding of the human adaptations and changes. Heck, you might even learn that you’re 4% Neanderthal!
David Groff illustrates with black and white images. They are used to highlight themes mentioned and used in the “extra boxes.” This time, there are also black and white photographs of displays in museums, of drawings and representations of animals (such as the giant rhino that might be one of the reasons for the unicorn myth) and more.
From ice to all types of critters (including humans) up to the modern day (2017 is where we end with the contemporary environmental issues faced), the Ice Age comes to life.