Tom Crean's Rabbit

“Tom Crean’s Rabbit” by Meredith Hooper and Bert Kitchen tells a true story from Scott’s last voyage to Antarctica in 1910 on the ship called “Terra Nova”. The story is based on diaries kept by the men on the ship. The storyline is quite basic – Tom is looking all over the ship for a warm and cosy place to make a home for his rabbit. He visits many areas of the ship which helps to teach ship vocabulary: hold, cabin, galley, deck, rigging, mast. Each area of the ship is not a suitable place for the rabbit for one reason or another. Many other animals are also on the ship and these are introduced throughout the story. He finally finds the perfect place for his rabbit and he gets a surprise on Christmas Day.

The book is beautifully illustrated and would be a suitable addition if the teacher is dealing with the story of Tom Crean in history. The book itself states that it is suitable for reading, history and geography for Key Stage 1 (7-9 year olds approx.) It is published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. ISBN 1-84507-393-2. It cost me €5.99