The Very, Very Far North

June 1, 2019
Friendly curiosity and a gift for naming earn a polar bear an assortment of (mostly animal) friends, adventures, mishaps, and discoveries. Arriving at a northern ocean, Duane spies a shipwreck. Swimming out to investigate, he meets its lone occupant, C.C., a learned snowy owl whose noble goal is acquiring knowledge to apply "toward the benefit of all." Informing Duane that he's a polar bear, she points out a nearby cave that might suit him--it even has a mattress. Adding furnishings from the wreck--the grandfather clock's handless, but who needs to tell time when it's always now?--he meets a self-involved musk ox, entranced by his own reflection, who's delighted when Duane names him "Handsome." As he comes to understand, then appreciate their considerable diversity, Duane brings out the best in his new friends. C.C., who has difficulty reading emotions and dislikes being touched, evokes the autism spectrum. Magic, a bouncy, impulsive arctic fox, manifests ADHD. Major Puff, whose proud puffin ancestry involves courageous retreats from danger, finds a perfect companion in Twitch, a risk-aware, common-sensical hare. As illustrated, Sun Girl, a human child, appears vaguely Native, and Squint, a painter, white, but they're sui generis: The Canadian author avoids referencing human culture. The art conveys warmth in an icy setting; animal characters suggest beloved stuffed toys, gently reinforcing the message that friendship founded on tolerance breeds comfort and safety. Quirky and imaginative--postmodern storytelling at its best. (Animal fantasy. 8-12)

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October 25, 2019

Gr 1-4-A sort of arctic Winnie the Pooh, Duane the Polar Bear meets a wide variety of friends and has many adventures in this gentle novel. At times, the narration can feel too knowing and the whimsy a bit forced. Nonetheless, as the episodic chapters progress, each character is well developed and the kindness with which these friends treat each other is instructive without being didactic. CC the Owl doesn't like being touched, Boo the Caribou is quite shy, and Magic the Fox is very impulsive-but Duane thoughtfully learns to understand their different points of view and include them in his escapades. The rich language and wordplay make for an excellent read-aloud. VERDICT Recommended, especially as a read-aloud, for fans of classics like A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh and Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, or for those seeking a solid demonstration of positive social interaction.-Gesse Stark-Smith, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 1, 2019
Grades 2-4 *Starred Review* In the Very, Very Far North, there lives a variety of Arctic creatures: C.C., the brainy snowy owl; Handsome, the vain but well-mannered musk ox; Magic, the prank-playing arctic fox; Major Puff, the militant puffin; Twitch, the, well, twitchy hare; and the character around whom the ensuing adventures revolve, Duane the polar bear. Duane's forays in friendship and explorations of his snowy home wonderfully follow in the tradition of A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh stories. Readers will immediately feel at home in the bear's company as he visits C.C. in her shipwreck dwelling, contemplates snacks and naps, charmingly names his surroundings (e.g., the Fabulous Beach), and befriends all who cross his path. Each chapter contains its own adventure, which imparts a lesson or insight into how to interact with others, without being heavy-handed. For instance, Duane, who loves giving bear hugs, finds an alternative gesture of affection for C.C., who doesn't like to be touched. Similarly, empathetic Twitch isn't one to throw carrots (judge) when Major Puff exhibits some peculiar habits. Pousett's soft pencil illustrations work in absolute harmony with the text, accomplishing the seemingly impossible task of making this book even more endearing. Gentle humor, a personable narrative voice, and some elevated vocabulary fortify the simple, character-driven adventures, which will win over young readers in a heartbeat.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)