A Goofy Guide to Penguins

The Coudray brothers offer two-panel, penguin-centric episodes that feel like a quirky string of “Why did the chicken cross the road?” jokes transplanted to an Antarctic setting. Two tiny penguins lurking in the margins do the asking and answering: “Why do penguins carve ice into bottles?” asks one, as a penguin uses an icicle to sculpt a large bottle of ice. “So they can serve drinks!” responds the other. Elsewhere, readers learn that penguins don’t grow flowers because watering cans sprinkle snow and warming up with a radiator can lead to a fall through the ice. Philippe Coudray’s polished cartoons are charming, though a repetitive sameness sets in, and the punch lines are hit or miss. Ages 5–up. (May)