Rating: My bookshelf

Reading level: Early Elementary

If you have a young reader who has trouble getting into books, Mr. Penguin may be the answer you are looking for. This read is silly, clever, exciting, and much like a cartoon Indiana Jones with a hint of comedy.

Possible Concerns:

  • Potty/Body Humor. Mr. Penguin gets his bottom stuck in a wastepaper basket and wiggles about clumsily trying to free himself; a museum has toilets falling through the ceiling
  • Obesity. The author describes a woman as wide as she is tall, shaped like a beach ball (spoiler alert: “she” ends up being a thief in disguise).
  • Mild Violence. The bad guys smack Mr. Penguin with their purse to knock them out and then tie them up above hungry alligators. My son, who is tender and easily spooked, still would be ok with these, as the whole tone is still rather silly.

There are a few edgy moments that some families may not think are appropriate, but I think the above are all rather tastefully done, and the adventures are generally clean and exciting.

Here are links to my reviews of other Mr. Penguin books:

Mr. Penguin and the Lost Treasurehttps://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2022/08/01/mr-penguin-the-lost-treasure-by-alex-t-smith/My Bookshelf
Mr. Penguin and the Fortress of Secretshttps://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2022/09/23/mr-penguin-and-the-fortress-of-secrets-by-alex-t-smith/Needs Parent Supervision
Mr Penguin and The Catastrophic Cruisehttps://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2023/02/19/mr-penguin-and-the-catastrophic-cruise-by-alex-t-smith/Not Recommend