PreS-Gr 3—Sporting a tuxedo and a sly smile, Elliot is the type of dapper young hero who can't abide masses of noisy kids, but when his clueless father suggests Family Fun Day at the aquarium, he politely agrees to go. Avoiding the crowds, he discovers penguins that, "in their tidy black feather tuxedos and their proper posture," remind Elliot of himself. When he asks "May I please have a penguin?," his father absentmindedly agrees, assuming his son wants a plush toy from the gift shop. And then the fun begins. Small is in top form here with a flawless design that begins with the crisply patterned Antarctic blue and white endpapers. With a flowing line, a liberal amount of white space, and a limited color palette, the overall impression is one of elegant restraint. At the same time, there is a sense of movement conveyed through an inventive typeface, a varied layout, and dramatic perspectives. The artist plays off the wry text to capture the comic chaos of hiding a penguin at home. Viewers will chuckle at the bird's antics. Aptly named Magellan, he becomes Elliot's accomplice—don't miss him chilling out on several bags of ice while popping goldfish crackers. Toward the climax, viewers begin to get a hint of the father's passion when he appears in pajamas covered with turtles. The surprise ending has the same satisfying sensibility as Jules Feiffer's Bark, George (HarperCollins, 1999). A real kid charmer that will elicit "Read it again!" responses.—Caroline Ward, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

PreS-Gr 2—Elliot's father often seems less than focused. So when they visit the aquarium and Elliot asks for a penguin, his father doesn't even blink as he brings one home in his backpack. Elliot gets to know his new friend, and reports on the experience to his seemingly muddle-minded father. But perhaps Dad has more in common with his son than you might suppose. This sweet and unexpected story by Toni Buzzeo (Dial, 2012) is read clearly and crisply by Chris Sorensen. No sound effects or music come between the listener and the text. The book is highly dependent on David Small's delightfully subdued watercolor illustrations, with a fun surprise ending that you literally have to see to believe, so make sure to have it available. Paired with the book, the audiobook would make a dandy listening center and bring a grin to the face of any listener.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA