Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* For this amusement about emperor penguins, Philippe Coudray, known for the quirky exploits of Benjamin Bear, is joined by his brother, Jean-Luc. But be forewarned. If you think you're getting a rundown of penguin facts, you'll be disappointed (but not for long). Instead, these jaunty penguins bustling about the ice cap are here to deliver some laughs. The comic's playful narrators, a duo of downy penguin chicks, are here to disprove many longstanding theories and introduce some new ones. You might think, for example, that from far away, all penguins look the same. Au contraire! Upon closer look, you'll see the difference: some wear mittens. The symmetrical panels, two per page, are the perfect platform for Philippe's clean lines and geometrical precision, not to mention the ideal layout for delivering the silly visual punchlines to Jean-Luc's kooky jokes. Meanwhile, the color palette, a narrow blend of frosty blues, sea greens, and flushed yellows, serves as a delightful contrast to our tuxedoed pals. While a few of the subtle quips might challenge younger readers, the charming illustrations guarantee their continued interest. A follow-up to the frames, entitled 100% Genuine, Real Facts about Penguins, helps ground this spirited approach to early abstract thought and reading comprehension.--Shemroske, Briana Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The Coudray brothers offer two-panel, penguin-centric episodes that feel like a quirky string of "Why did the chicken cross the road?" jokes transplanted to an Antarctic setting. Two tiny penguins lurking in the margins do the asking and answering: "Why do penguins carve ice into bottles?" asks one, as a penguin uses an icicle to sculpt a large bottle of ice. "So they can serve drinks!" responds the other. Elsewhere, readers learn that penguins don't grow flowers because watering cans sprinkle snow and warming up with a radiator can lead to a fall through the ice. Philippe Coudray's polished cartoons are charming, though a repetitive sameness sets in, and the punch lines are hit or miss. Ages 5-up. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 1-Brightly colored two-panel comic strips highlight the appeal and innate comedy of look-alike penguins. The answers to silly questions (e.g., "How do penguins know they've reached the South Pole?") are more about fun than information ("Every sign points north."). A butter yellow sun-melting snow, ice, and penguin fat-highlights the black-and-white penguins in their shades-of-blue world. One penguin holds a yellow umbrella sideways to stay out of the sideways-falling rain, which looks like snow, even though it's dry as a desert in the South Pole. Goofy indeed, but luscious colors invite readers into each illustration. VERDICT While not quite as engaging as the "Benjamin Bear" books, this is nevertheless a good choice for beginning readers.-Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public 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 Horn Book Review
A twin-brother team supplies "everything you never, ever asked about penguins!" The comics horizontal trim size allows for four-panel spreads (two panels on each page); young emperor penguins hang out on the edges, providing narration and asking and answering silly questions in a kinda-sorta informational fashion. "Why dont penguins grow flowers?" "Heres why": the next panel shows a penguin attempting to water a flower using a watering can filled with snow. "How do penguins know that theyve reached the South Pole?" When they see a sign pointing north in every direction, of course. The spreads are predictable in layout, but not content -- with the creators often playing on the absurd for jokes that land with variable success. The focus is on the zany, but kernels of truth can be found if one looks closely: for example, when a penguin snuggles up to an electric heater (plugged into the ice), the text reads, "Theyre already warm thanks to their fat and feathers." Philippe Coudrays crisp illustrations are rendered in a cool palette, matching the frigid setting. Back matter provides "100% genuine, real facts about penguins!" for readers looking to expand their knowledge beyond the books goofiness. elisa gall (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Silly untruths about penguins unfold in comic-book style. The premise is to ask wacky questions about penguins and then supply even wackier answers. Short, two-paneled comic strips explain all kinds of penguin antics. How do penguins know they've reached the South Pole? When they see the road sign that indicates every direction is north, of course. Why do penguins like to stand? Because only a small amount of snow will pile on their heads. But if they lie down, a mountain will pile on their backs. Endless gags rely on snow/ice humor and also the assertion that all penguins look alike (which makes hide-and-seek difficult). The Coudray author-illustrator duo are twinsthey identify with penguins when folks can't tell them apart. The foundation of silliness is set up in the title and continues with cues in the art. Penguins wear mittens, use electric space heaters, and hold umbrellas. Hopefully, readers will get the joke from the start and not take any of these to be facts. If any confusion does ensue, some "Amazing But True: 100% Genuine, Real Facts About Penguins" appear in the backmatter. From the creator of the Benjamin Bear books, absurdist humor carries across species. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
