March 1, 2019
Gr 4-6-Though Mr. Penguin initially appears to be a typical black-and-white web-footed seabird, he is really an adventurer with a jaunty, broad-brimmed hat, and a talented sidekick, Colin. Colin, too, is much more than a simple, small spider. He writes notes and has a powerful Kung Fu kick. Mr. Penguin has been called on to help Miss Bones uncover hidden treasure needed to save the Museum of Extraordinary Things-all before the jewel-thieving O'Hoolihan brothers can execute their nefarious plans. On their way to their first big adventure at the museum, Mr. Penguin and Colin run into an old friend, Edith Hedge, and her pigeon named Gordon, who ultimately contribute to the twists and turns in the nonstop action and a satisfying, happy resolution. Slapstick humor and satire combine to create lots of laughs. Memorable, quirky characters are depicted in detailed, intricate illustrations that add to the over-the-top comedy. VERDICT Fresh and funny, fans of the author's "Claude" series will be delighted to meet Mr. Penguin and companions in this new series opener, originally published in England.-Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 15, 2019
Aspiring adventurer Mr. Penguin solves his first mystery with the help of an earnest crew in this quirky, sharply illustrated chapter book. When Mr. Penguin receives a frantic phone call from Bouddica Bones, owner of the Museum of Extraordinary Objects, the clumsy, bow tie-clad novice adventurer ejects himself from his office trash bin and dashes to the museum with his companion spider, Colin. The mission is standard expedition fare: find treasure that's been buried in the museum in order to save the dilapidated institution. From this early moment, Smith crafts a Rube Goldberg-style plot, with chapters dangling readers over the next twist in the magical, cavernous museum basement. Bouddica and her brother, Montague, are described comically and drawn as white, and the only character of color, Edith, lives "in the park" with a pigeon named Gordon. While Edith is instrumental in saving the day and is rewarded by Bouddica, Mr. Penguin and Colin are the ones who receive formal praise in the city newspaper, reinforcing dominant race, gender, and class norms. Also irritating is the fact that Antarctica-native Mr. Penguin lives in an igloo. A plot twist and strategic pops of orange among detailed drawings are sure to pull readers along, as chapters are broken up by images and color.For fans of the author's Claude series who are looking for a longer chapter book. (Mystery. 8-12)
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Starred review from March 15, 2019
Grades 2-4 *Starred Review* Mr. Penguin, shaped rather like a bulbous beaker, has invested everything he has into becoming a professional adventurer. He's purchased the requisite bow tie and hat, daringly pierced by an arrow, and yesterday he placed an ad for his services in the newspaper. Yet his office phone has remained disappointingly silent. Just as he begins to have second thoughts about his new endeavor, he receives an urgent phone call from museum owner Boudicca Bones requesting his help in finding a hidden treasure within her Museum of Extraordinary Objects. His first adventure! He and his assistant, Colin (a spider), hightail it to the museum, where they're met by Miss Bones and her gigantic brother, Monty, who need the treasure in order to repair their crumbling museum. Maps, clues, and hidden rooms lead to a more perilous adventure than Mr. Penguin dreamed of, and a surprising twist adds a dash of suspense to this otherwise lighthearted and humorous mystery. Smith, whose Claude series carries a similar look and tone, writes for a slightly older audience here. The two-tone illustrations, in orange and black, are comical and elevate Mr. Penguin's antics and worries?namely when he can eat his lunch. The short chapters and riotous plot will easily win this series starter fans, especially among Inspector Flytrap devotees.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)