Check It Out:

The winter season is just around the corner. This time of year often brings visions of winter wonderland landscapes, including snowmen and icicles — scenes we don’t see much of here in Orange County, but which are plentiful in the north.

This year, our northernmost state, Alaska, celebrated 50 years of statehood. The Newport Beach Public Library has a great variety of children’s materials relating to Alaska and other areas of the far north, and the people and animals that call arctic regions home.

Stark and beautiful landscapes set the scene for these offerings, populated with colorful characters and furry animals. These are just a few suggestions for children to explore the lands at the top of the Earth.

 Fiction: “Julie of the Wolves” by Jean Craighead George. While running away from an arranged marriage at home, a 13-year-old Eskimo girl becomes lost on the north slope of Alaska and is befriended by a wolf pack in this Newbery Medal winner. The first book in a trilogy, the others being “Julie” and “Julie’s Wolf Pack.”

 Fiction: “Black Star, Bright Dawn” by Scott O’Dell. In this adventure story, teenager Bright Dawn and part-husky mostly-wolf Black Star must face the challenge of the grueling 1,000-mile Iditarod dog sled race when Bright Dawn’s father is injured.

 Picture book: “Mama, Do You Love Me?” by Barbara M. Joosse. A child living in the Arctic asks her mother a series of questions, and learns that a mother’s love is unconditional. The book is beautifully illustrated by Barbara Lavallee, who captures the characters and arctic animals in jewel tones and native touches.

 Biography: “Snow Baby: The Arctic Childhood of Admiral Robert E. Peary’s Daring Daughter” by Katherine Kirkpatrick. Nicknamed Snow Baby by Inuit friends, little Marie Peary often accompanied her famous explorer father on his expeditions as he sought to be the first person to reach the North Pole. A particularly touching photograph shows baby Marie reaching for a sunbeam after the long, dark Arctic winter.

 Nonfiction: “Animal Babies in Polar Lands” by Jennifer Schofield. A simple introduction to the baby and adult animals that live in polar regions. Think close-up photographs of cute and cuddly seal cubs and several other furry arctic babies for the younger set.

 Nonfiction: “Arctic and Antarctic” from the DK Eye Wonder series covers many of the animals that make their home at the north and south poles, along with people, marine life, icebergs and weather. This is a visually appealing book with loads of illustrations and photographs.

 DVD: “Balto” is an animated movie starring the voice talents of Kevin Bacon, Bridget Fonda and Phil Collins. Based on a true story, it tells the tale of a half-wolf sled dog who makes an arduous journey to bring life-saving medicine to Nome, Alaska, during a deadly epidemic. This is a great family movie about a canine hero.

The Central Library will be hosting a children’s craft program celebrating Alaska, the “last frontier” and the arctic animals that live there at 4 p.m. Dec. 8. You may place holds or register for children’s programs at www.newportkids.org.

CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of the branches, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.