The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el
2019; Johns Hopkins University Press; Volume: 73; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/bcc.2019.0546
ISSN1558-6766
Autores Tópico(s)Arctic and Russian Policy Studies
ResumoReviewed by: The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el Kate Quealy-Gainer, Assistant Editor Bar-el, Dan The Very, Very Far North; illus. by Kelly Pousette. Atheneum, 2019 [272p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-3341-0 $16.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-3343-4 $10.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 3-5 Meandering down the shoreline of the Cold, Cold Ocean in search of the best napping spot, Duane the polar bear sees a shipwreck off the coast. Exploring is the one thing Duane likes better than napping, so he heads out and discovers an owl, whom he names C.C., residing in the unsubmerged captain’s quarters. C.C. suggests to Duane that he stay in a comfy nearby cave, and after settling in, Duane is off to explore his new environment, meeting many wondrous friends along the way. Duane is kin to Winnie the Pooh, with an affable nature and an endearing [End Page 7] cluelessness that leads to moments of sage wisdom. The fourteen episodic chapters following the adventures of Duane and his buddies focus on friendship with a special emphasis on accepting and respecting differences among pals. Magic, an energetic arctic fox, is loads of fun but a bit overwhelming; C.C. doesn’t really like anyone to touch her but she’s happy to share her knowledge of science and nature; Handsome the musk ox is often distracted by his own reflection but will rescue his friends in a jiffy; and worrywart Twitch the hare is carefully observant of others’ feelings. Direct addresses from the narrator invite youngsters in with gentle humor, and Pousette’s illustrations, black and white spot art appearing with pleasant frequency, give the animal characters an appealing toylike sensibility. This would make a fine companion to Milne’s classic or Lobel’s Frog and Toad, like those serving as a satisfying readaloud as well as a readalone; kiddos whose tastes tend toward the cozy will find warmth and comfort in Duane’s frosty world. Copyright © 2019 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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