The Pirate and the Penguin

Visual humor abounds in this oddball tale of two misfits who resolve their discontent by trading places. But despite its inherent absurdities, the path of the story is regrettably predictable. It begins with an antsy penguin, eager to see the world “beyond this big boring block of ice,” then switches to a pirate who is equally unhappy in his surroundings—he'd rather find inner peace than buried treasure. Their stories are finally joined in a comical double-page cartoon map that traces their circuitous journeys (“Boring ocean,” the penguin grouses), until the penguin's iceberg bumps into the pirate ship, tossing the bird on deck (“CLUNK!”). Though the pirate nearly makes the intruding penguin walk the plank, they soon decide to switch their outfits—and their roles, both ending up the happier for it. But despite the humorous details that appear in the text and the art—early on, Penguin's compatriots can't understand his boredom (“But there's so much to do. Like daydreaming!” “And yoga!” “And daydreaming about yoga!”)—readers will see the ending coming a nautical mile away. Ages 4–up. (Oct.)