Review by Booklist Review
The Pilchard-Browns (who are penguins) make a wrong turn on their way to a picnic and end up at the North Pole. There they meet Mr. White, a friendly polar bear who offers to lead them home. The group journeys through New York City, London, Venice, Agra (India), and Sydney (Australia) on their return to the South Pole. Willis' simple story succeeds on multiple levels. Younger listeners will appreciate the quest-for-home adventure format, while older kids and adults will be drawn to the sly humor infused into every page. Dad (who holds a map upside down throughout) is directionally challenged; the kids get into all sorts of mischief; and Mom gently keeps everyone in line (Put the python down, dear). Jarvis' digital artwork features vibrant colors, clearly recognizable locales, and many droll details (the kids, for example, water ski in Sydney Harbor, and Mom is never without a strand of pearls). This makes good choice for one-on-one sharing; allow plenty of time to peruse the art.--Weisman, Kay Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The Pilchard-Browns, a family of penguins, get quite lost on their way to a picnic. Drifting along on an iceberg, they reach the North Pole, where an "enormous something" wearing a bowler hat offers to lead them home. "I have often dreamed of being the first polar bear to reach the South Pole," Mr. White tells them. The animals' journey takes them to the U.S., England, Italy, India, and Australia, where they enjoy local attractions before continuing on their way ("Australia was bonzer but it still wasn't home"). Willis's (Slug Needs a Hug!) drily funny text is sprinkled with the penguins' alliterative observations at each stop (Peeky and Poots assess London as "Gray!" and "Grand!"), as well as Pog's impatient plea, "Now can we have our picnic?" Featuring an array of bold hues, Jarvis's (Fred Forgets) whimsical digital artwork shows the energetic penguins riding the rails of a Venetian gondola, waterskiing in Sydney, and bonding with their polar bear guide. Readers won't learn much about anywhere the Pilchard-Browns visit, but the pleasures, quirks, and unexpected surprises of travel are evident. Ages 3-7. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-On the way to a picnic, Mr. Pilchard-Brown misreads the map and leads his penguin family to the North Pole by mistake. Fortunately, Mr. White, a friendly polar bear, comes to help. "Don't think of it as a mistake. Think of it as the start of a big adventure. Maybe I could help you find your way home. I have often dreamed of being the first polar bear to reach the South Pole." Mr. White proves an able travel guide. In the United States, Mr. and Mrs. Pilchard-Brown walk down the street holding flippers while Mr. White gives their three young penguins a ride in a shopping bag through the city. The adventure continues on a double-decker bus in England, a gondola ride in Italy, a trek through India, and a speed boat ride in Australia. This silly tale is not a geography lesson on the best route to travel the 12,430 miles between the North and South Poles. It's a story about friendship and enjoying the journey of life. It is bittersweet when the penguins finally make it back home, since they have to part ways with Mr. White. But it's not quite over yet. Back at home, Mr. White learns that a penguin chick has hatched in his hat. The penguins realize this, too, and return for the chick and to finally have their picnic. Jarvis's bright and colorful cartoon illustrations add enormously to the narrative's charm. VERDICT This selection about friendship and making mistakes is a fun read-aloud and will likely find an audience in libraries everywhere.-Robin Sofge, Alexandria Library, VA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Taking a wrong turn on the way to a picnic results in a grand world tour in this tale of penguins who find themselves at the North Pole.The British tradition of the right to roam takes center stage as the Pilchard-Browns, a family of penguins, drift quite far from their home in the South Pole. Luckily, Mr. White, an enormous, furry, white polar bear, knows they are 12,430 miles north and offers to take them home. Apparently walking most of the way, this band of travelers wanders through the United States, England, Italy, India, and Australia, with the little ones chirping in each local dialect while seeing each countrys major landmarks. The illustrations are captivating, offering a colorful bounty of people, places, and things. The penguin parents and Mr. White are depicted with British reserve and determination as they just keep walking south. The penguin children, however, provide comic relief in their dialogue and their curiosity about new cultures. The storys ending has a hiccup that may cause a Wait, what? reaction, but turning back a few pages allows readers to fully enjoy the clever details and richly saturated colors of the illustrations. A cheery introduction to a few major cultures across the globe, with both poles as anchors. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
