Author: Eileen Wacker
Publisher: Once Kids
Rating: WORTHY!
DISCLOSURE: Unlike the majority of reviews in this blog, I've neither bought this book nor borrowed it from the library. This is a print book which Once Kids were kind enough to send to me for review. I'm not receiving (nor will I expect to receive or accept) remuneration for this review. The chance to read a new book is often enough reward aplenty!
It's the grand opening of the new Fujimini Island Swim and Surf school, and all the penguins are there, setting up. Blue Penguin is the surf teacher, Red Penguin is serving food and drink, Orange Penguin is hanging ribbons, and last but by no means least, Purple Penguin is ready to greet the customers. Even Rainbow Panda is there trying to make up for his escapade with the firecrackers, by hanging the shop sign.
Everything seems to be going swimmingly until a Kappa shows up! Nope, that's not a Capra, as in a famous movie director, and it's not a Zappa as in an equally famous musician, it's a Kappa - a very naughty spirit which lives in water and looks like a monkey in a turtle suit. Yes, you heard what I said. Don't try to pretend you don't know what's going on here!
After a brief discussion, Blue Penguin resolves to ignore the Kappa and press on with his opening day plans. He doesn't want to disappoint, so he asks which of Silver Bunny, Pink Hamster, Green Hamster, or Rainbow Panda wants to get the first lesson. They all do, but as they're having fun out on the ocean, learning to handle their surf-boards, who is keeping a watchful eye on the kappa?
The Kappa does, of course, wreak its mischief, but with the help of Blue Bay Dolphin and Blue Wale, things are brought back under control. The resolution commendably comes not through fighting and antagonism, but through peaceful talk and offers of help.
This is the third in Eileen Wacker's series that I've read, and I've been pleased with all of them. This one is the first which I've read in print book form (many thanks to Lynn Coppotelli and the people at Once Kids for this opportunity). I have to remark that it's quite breathtaking to see the printed form compared with the ebooks to which I've had access previously.
The art work by Alan Low is beautifully done, and the overall layout and presentation is gorgeous. This is a glossy-paged hardback with a paper over-cover, so if I have one complaint, it's that both of these covers contain the same image. It seems to me that the hard cover itself is sufficient - can we help save a tree by dispensing with the paper over-cover?
Aside from that, I have no complaints at all about this book or this series. It's a well-done, engrossing, and and attractive read for young children, and continues in the sterling tradition set by previous volumes. I recommend this book unreservedly.
