Ernest Shackleton (Little People, Big Dreams)

Title: Ernest Shackleton (Little People, Big Dreams)

Writer: Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara (illustrated by Olivia Holden)

Publishing House: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Date of Publication: September 1st 2020

Rating: 5 stars

‘’To be brave cheerily, to be patient with a glad heart, to stand the agonies of thirst with laughter and song, to walk beside death for months and never be sad – that’s the spirit that makes courage worth having.’’

Ernest was born in Kilkea, County Kildare in 1874. Even though he lived in a beautiful land of green and blue and gold, he wanted to travel far and wide and explore the world. He even dug a hole in the yeard, aiming to reach the other side of our planet. When he joined the merchant navy, he had the chance to take part in two expeditions, trying to reach the South Pole. Fascinated and unhindered by Amundsen’s success, he decided to cross Antarctica from sea to sea.

In August 1914, Endurance sailed to Antarctica. 28 men and 69 dogs headed to the land of ice and mystery. Stories, games and sports were the means to overcome the great difficulties of the journey to the unknown. When the ship was damaged by the breaking of the ice, Ernest and his men understood that their hopes relied on their lifeboats. In seven days, they had reached Elephant Island, and the flame was rekindled. Ernest managed to lead his men to safety through his courage, strength and undiminished optimism.

One more brilliant and moving addition to the beautiful series.

‘’Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all.’’

Many thanks to Frances Lincoln Children’s Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.