Synopses & Reviews
This delightful story follows Ponko the Penguin and his friend Joey Bear as they stow away on a sledge to take part in the Great Expedition to the South Pole, munching expedition biscuits and chocolate raisins as they go. Disaster strikes when they fall off the sledge and it looks like the pair will never reach the South Pole. But then Sid Skua comes to the rescue. Based on the real toy penguin Ponko, who belonged to Antarctic explorer and photographer Herbert Ponting, this is a beautifully crafted picture book that will enchant young readers.
Review
"The explorers were definitely getting ready. Sleeping bags and tents and boxes of food were piled on to the sledges. Ponko and Joey scrambled up on the last sledge. They were just in time. Everyone gave three cheers, and the Great Expedition to the South Pole set off."
and#151; from the book
About the Author
Meredith Hooper was born in Australia. An Antarctic specialist, she has made several research trips to the continent. In 2000 she was awarded the Antarctica Medal by the U.S. Congress. Her books for Frances Lincoln include
The Pebble in my Pocket, which is the only children's book ever to be shortlisted for the Dingle History of Science Book Award. She lives in London.
Jan Ormerod's first picture book was Sunshine. It won the Mother Goose Award in 1982, was voted the Picture Book of the Year 1982 by the Children's Book Council of Australia, and was highly commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal. She lives in Rutland, U.K.