Where's the Penguin? - Hardcover

Chuck Whelon is the author of a number of children's puzzle and activity books, including Where's the Mermaid? and Wizard Pickles. Chuck created the boardgame "Legitimacy", also available on Amazon: amzn.to/2QLrcG1. Chuck lives in San Francisco, California. Find out more and see a gallery of his work at Whelon.com.

K-Gr 2—"A clever family of penguins has escaped from a city zoo. They are on a mission to get back to their home in Antarctica. Along the way, the penguins stop off at lots of exciting places and have all kinds of fun." This is all true. The 10 penguins vary in looks and personalities as described in their "Penguin Profiles" page. Readers have to find all 10 on each spread, à la "Where's Waldo?" Some of the wacky places depicted include a shopping mall, a haunted house, a restaurant, a Mardi Gras carnival, a water park, outer space, and many more. The most challenging puzzle is saved for last, when the penguins finally reach home and are surrounded by a multitude of penguins just like them. Nonetheless, finding the penguins is not an impossible task, thanks to Whelon's expert depictions of each of the unique and now familiar penguin family members. Each spread features a brief introduction to the new place, a few clues, and the challenge question, "Can you find all ten penguins?" Whelon's illustrations are zany, colorful, and chock-full of details and interesting things for kids to spot, in addition to the penguin family. Readers young and old(er) will delight in the search. And just when you think it's over, back matter contains answers to each puzzle, "Extra Things To Spot" in each place, and the female zoo keeper offering this new challenge: "I'm also in every picture, trying to catch those naughty penguins. Can you spot me?" The fun is seemingly never-ending. VERDICT A welcome addition for all elementary libraries and "Where's Waldo?" fans looking for a refreshing new twist on the classic.—Megan Kilgallen, Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn