Little Penguin Rescue (Little Animal Rescue)

Gr 1-4--In this adventure story, a girl who loves animals is magically transported to Antarctica. After arriving on the icy continent, Callie discovers a colony of Adélie penguins who are beginning to migrate. A blizzard moves in quickly and a small penguin is left behind. The bulk of the story is about Callie's brave efforts to keep the penguin safe and reunite it with its mother and the colony. Callie names the penguin Una and uses tools to protect it from predators, including a hungry leopard seal and a fierce Orca whale, while also keeping the penguin warm and dry in the extreme cold. Callie is an admirable character; she is quick thinking, courageous, and resourceful, and eventually is able to reunite Una with her mother and the rest of the colony. This story is far-fetched, but the plot moves quickly and will appeal to readers who like to learn about animals and nature. Black-and-white spot illustrations enliven the text. This book is part of a new series focused on endangered animals around the world. In each one, Callie heads to a different country where she helps a lost animal, and in the process teaches readers about animal habitats and the environment. VERDICT A solid choice for early chapter book readers who are interested in endangered animals.--Melanie Kletter, School Library Journal