Owl and Penguin

April 1, 2023
In their sophomore outing, supportive bird buddies recognize their differences and devise workarounds that satisfy both of them. "Playtime" sees Owl wanting to play catch with a beach ball while Penguin holds a racquet, ready for tennis. Short sentences in sans-serif panel captions set out the dilemma: "They cannot agree." "They play alone." "Playing alone is no fun." Light bulbs indicate their simultaneous ideas: They play catch, then bat the beach ball with racquets, then play tennis--and engage in some acrobatics. "Best day ever!" In "Fish," Penguin wants Owl to see the colorful fish underwater. "But Owl cannot swim." Penguin tries to submerge Owl in a glass bowl--but "Owl is scared." So Penguin fills the sphere with fish and holds it up to Owl. While Owl loves the film they watch on "Movie Night," Penguin is terrified. But they find something to agree on: "Best popcorn ever!" When Owl plays the ukelele, Penguin pushes for Owl to take part in a talent show. On stage, Owl panics until Penguin cheers and Owl relaxes and wins. Finally, Owl finds a creative way to help Penguin fly a kite. Inside simplified outlines, Penguin is pale blue, Owl brown, both with appealing googly-eye faces. The friendship lessons are sound but never heavy-handed. The multiple-frame graphics on every page get the plot across; in fact, the visuals render the text almost superfluous. Charming evidence that compromise and inventiveness can produce the best day yet! (Graphic early reader. 3-6)

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October 14, 2022

PreS-Gr 2-Debuting with an exercise in adorable empathy, Owl and Penguin make a breezy foray into the tradition of supportive picture book friendships. Faced with challenges like being unable to fly, losing an ice cream cone, and getting drenched in a downpour, they strive to make things better for each other through pleasant plotting. Madan's brightly colored illustrations of the boggle-eyed buddies add to the goofy fun for tenuous young readers. Owl and Penguin's conversation occurs primarily in the form of speech bubbles and emphatic facial expressions, with light narration in panel captions. While it may not break new ground in the annals of interspecies literary friendships, as an opportunity for early readers and caregivers to discuss problem-solving and feelings with copious visual cues, this title is the perfect tool. VERDICT Cute and cheery, this graphic novel for early readers is a functional, fun read-together.-Emilia Packard

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2022
Birds of a feather--and flipper--flock together. In the first of several stories about two avian pals, Owl purchases ice cream for themself and Penguin, but disaster ensues when the ice cream falls off Penguin's cone. Penguin is unhappy, so Owl is unhappy, and a second cone is purchased. When that one falls, the friends go from sad to laughing at the absurdity of it all. The following two tales highlight the different abilities the two have. Penguin wants to fly, just like Owl, so the two get creative to figure out a solution. In the final story, Owl wants to play outside with Penguin, but it's raining; once again, the two manage to find a way to have fun. The three stories in this graphic novel are told with minimal text; Owl and Penguin communicate with word balloons, using only illustrations and emojis. Some of the panels contain simple narration in boxes; if children are still learning, however, they can deduce meaning based on the illustrations. Reminiscent of the strong bond between Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad, Owl and Penguin's friendship is deep and delightful, and this easy reader makes the story comprehensible as it addresses themes of envy, sadness, and problem-solving in an accessible and entertaining way. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Engaging vignettes in the lives of two adorable friends. (Graphic early reader. 3-6)

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