An exciting adventure-encyclopedia invites children to go to the Arctic— the world of eternal ice and the northern lights—together with young researchers Vanya and Varya and their unusual companion, a talking dog called Laika. Readers will meet polar bears, walruses, and other inhabitants of the North; they will travel on mighty icebreakers and discover the secrets guarded by permafrost. Through a dynamic plot, the book introduces children to the nature and riches of the Arctic, tells stories about brave people living and working in harsh conditions, and helps them understand why this mysterious land is so important to protect.