Poles Apart

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.