(4) K-3 Illustrated by H. B. Lewis. When Joe's penguin Osbert, who lives at the zoo, shows up at Joe's door with an invitation to the South Pole, Joe agrees to help his friend see the southern lights. After Osbert falls in love with a female penguin, Joe worries he'll never make it home. Rich pastel, watercolor, and digitally rendered illustrations add verve to the slow-paced story.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(2) K-3 Illustrated by H. B. Lewis. This Christmas (there have been "a few misunderstandings" in the past), young Joe isn't leaving anything open to interpretation in his letter to Santa: "I would like to have my own pet penguin...a real one." Remarkably, Joe gets his wish. The illustrations effectively convey the frigid winter landscape and the warm friendship in this satisfying tale of pure Christmas magic.

Reviewer: Lauren Rizzuto | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2004