Puffins Climb, Penguins Rhyme

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Master photo-essayist McMillan finds fetching fun in a few feathered friends as he pairs likenesses of two avian species with rhyming, two-word captions. Inhabiting literally opposite ends of the earth, puffins (from the North Polar region) and penguins (native to Antarctica) share an endearing gawkiness, and McMillan's unadorned, crystalline photographs capture surprising humor and personality in the simplest of situations. Spreads alternate between the two varieties, presenting both single subjects and groups in representative activities-``Puffins walk. Puffins squawk. Penguins brawl. Penguins call.'' The black-and-white birds' orange-toned beaks and feet lend intense splashes of color to the stark backgrounds-gray sea and rocks, clear blue skies, green grass. Though technically not of a feather, these birds flock together to provide an inviting nature study. Ages 2-6. (Mar.)

Children's Literature - Beverly Kobrin

In Puffins Climb, Penguins Rhyme Mr. McMillan introduces youngsters to the Atlantic puffin and southern gentoo penguin, the distinctively featured creatures that reside at opposite ends of the earth-within 250 miles of the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, respectively. Full-page photos of each appear on alternate two-page spreads and are annotated by what the author calls "verb verse," as in, "Puffins walk. Puffins squawk." and "Penguins brawl. Penguins call." His terse text for youngest readers is followed by lists of physical and behavioral characteristics older readers can compare for similarities and differences. The smallest print and final notes, as in all of Mr. McMillan's books, provide a glimpse of how he wrote, researched, and photographed the book, and additional information on its subjects.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-Through extraordinary photography, McMillan compares and contrasts the habits and habitats of the puffins of Iceland and the penguins of Antarctica. Each page of this stunning book holds oversized, full-color close-ups that exhibit, among other things, the birds flying, standing, grooming themselves, greeting one another, eating, and caring for their young. Large, oversized black type runs along the bottom of each page proclaiming, in minimalist verse, things like ``Puffins land'' and ``Puffins stand,'' ``Penguins nest'' and ``penguins rest.'' While books on puffins and penguins abound, the pairing of the two species here makes for a winner. An excellent introduction to the worlds of these two birds and to a discussion of their environments.-Dot Minzer, North Barrington School, Barrington, IL