PreS-Gr 1-Penguin is back and this time he's going somewhere tropical. He needs a break from the snow, so he packs his suitcase, waves good-bye to his grandpa, and hops on an ice floe to a beach vacation. He soon learns that he cannot ski, sled, or skate on sand. Luckily, he meets Crab, who shows him all the fun one can have at the beach-building sand castles, playing beach ball, climbing coconut trees, surfing, etc. "But all vacations come to an end," so Penguin heads home, but he soon discovers, to his delight, that Crab has come along. After all, crabs need vacations, too, and Penguin shows his friend all the fun things to do in his snowy home. At the end of his visit, Crab writes that he "shell return" (yes, on a shell) and one day he does. Yoon's crisp and clean Photoshop illustrations add depth, whimsy, and action to the text. Penguin in a stripped bathing suit circa 1920 and Crab wearing a scarf and mittens should not be missed. Yoon spins a simple and enjoyable story of friendship and adventure that will work well in storytime or for individual sharing.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Tired of the Antarctic cold, Penguin hops on a passing iceberg and heads north to a tropical island. The beach is nice and sunny, but Penguin is a bird out of water on the sand: skiing, sledding, and skating just don't work there. But before he throws in the (beach) towel, Penguin meets Crab, an island native, who shows him how to enjoy everything the shore has to offer. And Penguin unwittingly brings home the best souvenir: his new friend needs a vacation, too. Now it's Penguin turn to show Crab the delights of his habitat. As in Penguin and Pinecone, Yoon's story of an unlikely interspecies friendship is both funny and sweet, especially as portrayed in her welcoming, digitally created illustrations. Penguin in sunhat and old-fashioned swimsuit, Crab in green woolen mittens and scarf -- two of the many small touches that add warmth to the simple story. When Crab goes home, he leaves behind a promise (in a conch shell): "I shell return." Let's hope that, as the Antarctic Ambassador of Friendship, Penguin, too, shell return in more adventures. kitty flynn (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This delightful companion to Penguin and Pinecone (2012) presents another parable of friendship, this time with an exotic tropical crab. Penguin is tired of snow. Yearning for something exciting, he decides to head for a sandy beach. He packs his bag and floats north on an iceberg. But this new adventure isn't quite what he expected. He can't ski or sled or even skate on sand. When a curious red crab sees Penguin's distress, he asks, "Are you lost?" "No, I'm on vacation," says the frustrated and bewildered bird. Crab takes Penguin under his claw and shows him the ropes. The joys of the beach become clear to Penguin with Crab's friendship, as they play the sunny days away together. All vacations come to an end, though, and it is soon time for Penguin to return home. But now Crab needs a vacation! The new friends switch roles, allowing Penguin to teach Crab all the wintry wonders of his previously boring home. With her signature thick lines, pure colors and scratchy textures, Yoon creates a beach backdrop to showcase Penguin's tender personality. When the book begins, perceptive readers might recognize a tinge of loneliness in Penguin, and they will see how having a friend makes even the familiar seem more exciting. Lesson learned: The magic of friendship does not depend on where you are or what you are doing--it is about being together and learning from each other. (Picture book. 3-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

You wouldn't think a penguin would get sick and tired of snow and ice, but that's exactly what happens in this follow-up to Penguin and Pinecone (2012). As snow continues to fall from the sky, Penguin decides, I need a vacation. The perfect choice for an Antarctic dweller? Something tropical. And so off he goes on an ice floe with a beach ball, surfing his way to paradise. Flip-flop-wearing Penguin meets Crab, who shows him the ins and outs of beach fun, but alas, all vacations come to an end. When Crab decides he needs a vacation, too, Penguin returns the hosting favor. Silly fun for kids ready for their own break from routine and winter.--Kelley, Ann Copyright 2010 Booklist