To the Top of the World
Barbara Hillary, the First Black Woman to Reach the North and South Poles
Published on 20. November 2025
Book
Hardback
40 pages
978-1-6659-2773-4 (ISBN)
Description
Go exploring with Barbara Hillary, the first Black woman to set foot on both the North and South Poles in this thrilling and inspiring picture book biography about perseverance, imagination, and following your dreams.
As a young girl, Barbara Hillary imagined a life of adventure. Despite facing hardships in her childhood and illness as an adult, she never gave up on her dream: to travel the world and explore hard-to-reach places. So, at age seventy-five, she became the first Black woman to set foot on the North Pole. Less than four years later, she did the same at the South Pole.
Barbara loved everything the world has to offer. During her travels, she discovered that the remote places she cared so much about were threatened by climate change. From then on, she dedicated herself to saving the planet for future generations. She never let her age-or anything else-stop her until she stood at the top of the world!
As a young girl, Barbara Hillary imagined a life of adventure. Despite facing hardships in her childhood and illness as an adult, she never gave up on her dream: to travel the world and explore hard-to-reach places. So, at age seventy-five, she became the first Black woman to set foot on the North Pole. Less than four years later, she did the same at the South Pole.
Barbara loved everything the world has to offer. During her travels, she discovered that the remote places she cared so much about were threatened by climate change. From then on, she dedicated herself to saving the planet for future generations. She never let her age-or anything else-stop her until she stood at the top of the world!
Reviews / Votes
"Blumenthal laces her upbeat text with personal details-like Barbara getting frostbite after enthusiastically yanking off her gloves for a photo-op-that make for an intimate portrait. Williams' digital illustrations feature both snowy, wide-open vistas and close-ups of Barbara striking triumphant poses as she succeeds again and again. A remarkably uplifting tale of tenacity and determination." -- Kirkus Reviews * 9/15/25 * "It is rare to find a picture book biography that truly brings life to a subject...Recommended for purchase for any collection wishing to spotlight a truly remarkable individual." -- School Library Journal * 10/3/25 * "Blumenthal's laudatory text spotlights the figure's grit as she raises funds and trains for her successful 2007 arctic journey, becoming the first Black woman to make the trip, and then travels to the South Pole in 2011, before devoting her final years to learning and lecturing about climate change-all the while continuing to "dream... learn... and plan" more trips. Magloire Williams's realistic artwork energetically captures their subject's resolve." -- Publishers Weekly * 8/11/25 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Third Grade, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Illustrations
f-c jkt (fx: emboss, spot gloss), matte+int. ill.; coated; digital
Dimensions
Height: 265 mm
Width: 262 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
486 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6659-2773-4 (9781665927734)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Deborah Blumenthal
To the Top of the World
Barbara Hillary, the First Black Woman to Reach the North and South Poles
E-Book
10/2025
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
€10.87
Available for download
Persons
Deborah Blumenthal is an award-winning journalist and nutritionist who has written many books for children and adults. She was a regular contributor to The New York Times and a home design columnist for Long Island News. Her health, fitness, beauty, travel, and feature stories have appeared widely in many other newspapers and national magazines including Daily News (New York), The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Self, and Vogue. Visit her at DeborahBlumenthal.com.
Anastasia Magloire Williams is an illustrator, writer, and graphic designer with a lifelong passion for storytelling. Using various styles and vibrant colors, her mission is to elevate unsung histories that reflect the beautiful, diverse world we all share. When she is not tapping away at her tablet, she enjoys gaming with her husband, fantasy novels, tending to her plants, and ice in all her drinks. Visit her at AnaDraws.com.
Anastasia Magloire Williams is an illustrator, writer, and graphic designer with a lifelong passion for storytelling. Using various styles and vibrant colors, her mission is to elevate unsung histories that reflect the beautiful, diverse world we all share. When she is not tapping away at her tablet, she enjoys gaming with her husband, fantasy novels, tending to her plants, and ice in all her drinks. Visit her at AnaDraws.com.