The Land of Sparkle and Light
Feel the chilly wind tickle your nose. Look all around you. I am a big, white, sparkly blanket that stretches as far as you can see. At night, colorful lights dance and wiggle across my sky, painting it with green and purple ribbons. Sometimes, the sun decides to stay awake all day and all night, making everything glow. I am a quiet, wonderful place at the very top of the world. I am the Arctic Tundra.
I was made a very, very long time ago. Around 10,000 years ago, giant sheets of ice melted away and I appeared. Deep down, under my soft, snowy blanket, I keep a secret. It is a layer of frozen ground that stays hard like a rock all year long. Many cuddly friends call me home. Fluffy white polar bears pad across my snow. Quick little arctic foxes with white fur dart and play. Big caribou with gentle eyes and large antlers walk together. For thousands of years, clever people called the Inuit have lived here with me. They know all my secrets and are my good friends.
I am also a special teacher for the whole world. For over 100 years, friendly people called scientists have been visiting me. They come to learn about the Earth and how to take care of it. I show everyone how life can be strong and beautiful, even in the cold. I am here to remind all my friends, like you, to love and protect our wonderful planet. I am a place of wonder, and I love sharing my sparkly world with you.