Publisher's Weekly Review
A young penguin faces his fear in this rhyming tale from the team behind Giraffes Can't Dance. While a colony's penguins frolic in the sea, Pip-Pip stays on shore, building an igloo by himself: "Names like 'Scaredy-Pip-Pip'/ Echoed in his ears./ He was sad and he was lonely,/ But he couldn't show his tears." When Pip-Pip's parents ask what's wrong, he responds with a worst-case scenario that includes freezing water, being unable to swim, and being eaten by a monster. Andreae's story aims to inspire not just bravery but positive thinking, as evidenced by Pip-Pip's mother's reply: "What if in that water/ There are friends for you to meet?/ And what if it is light and warm/ And full of treats to eat?" She guides him to the water's edge, where "he closed his eyes, he held his breath,/ And little Pip-Pip... jumped!" Parker-Rees creates an appealing balance between the sunny yellow sky, crisp white snow, and a shimmering sea of blue in his swoopy and loose images. Through the verse can be cloying or awkward, the message may still hit home with nervous readers. Ages 3-5. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
A bouncy rhyme introduces little penguin Pip-Pip, who's afraid of the water. His understanding mother urges him to think positive thoughts about the sea (e.g., there could be "friends for you to meet"), instead of fearing monsters and other disasters. Large, expressive blue- and purple-tinged illustrations show nervous Pip-Pip finally taking the plunge, as well as his delight when he realizes he can swim. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
