A PENGUIN'S QUEST

A determined penguin fulfills an unlikely dream in this illustrated children’s book.

Ingrid, a penguin, wishes she could fly and is excited when she meets New York City pigeons Sue and Lenny in Antarctica. They encourage her to travel to a special place in upstate New York where she can learn how to glide. Ingrid boards a ship from Antarctica to New York City and takes the Staten Island Ferry into Manhattan, where she marvels at the busy streets and intriguing sites. Helpful critters assist her quest, including Lenny’s cousin Lou and a group of savvy rats at Penn Station who instruct her to hitch trains to “Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex.” There, Ingrid is inspired by a skilled human skier named Klaus. Ingrid asserts: “That man has no wings and he’s flying. If that man…can fly, so can I!” Klaus teaches Ingrid to ski, and she embraces her natural abilities. Although “her little wings might not work well for flapping and regular flying…they seemed to be perfect for helping her steer in the air off a ski jump.” Ingrid is proud of her progress and eventually returns to Antarctica. Utilizing her skills and experiences, she helps the penguin community solve a traffic issue. She proposes: “We build a jump that goes down to the sea. We use it to glide down and fly into the water….This will be much faster and more fun than waddling…With penguins gliding down one way on the jump and others walking back up.” She enthusiastically teaches the others how to fly through the water, and is proud to prove that penguins can soar after all. McDermott’s engaging story features commendable instances of following a passion, learning from new friends, and embracing rewarding challenges. Ingrid’s pursuit will motivate youngsters to consider their own aspirations. Readers will enjoy following along on Ingrid’s adventure, which is filled with amusing details like rats and pigeons who speak with New York accents. Anderson’s lovely illustrations offer realistic renderings that emphasize unusual textures, shades, and tones. The lifelike animal depictions, detailed buildings and streets, and recognizable sites like the Statue of Liberty are delightful additions.

A beautifully illustrated and appealing animal tale that underscores defying odds and helping others.