School Library Journal (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

PreS-Gr 2 It's not easy being a penguin. As a world-weary avian narrator points out, there's plenty that can (and does) go wrong: "My beak is cold." "It snowed some more last night, and I don't even like the snow." "The ocean smells too salty today." An even chillier fishing expedition does not improve his demeanor: "Oh, great. An orca. Oh, great. A leopard seal. Oh, great. A shark. What is it with this place?" Smith's sponge-textured illustrations expand upon the text's downbeat doldrums with visual humor and delightfully deadpan facial expressions. Still hungry, the penguin pulls out of the water just before being gulped down by the bigger seal (which is about to be consumed by the even larger shark, about to be swallowed by the huge orca). His melancholy monologue continues until a stately walrus catches his attention and delivers a wise (and lengthy and slightly bombastic) oration about appreciating the good things in life. Grudgingly, Penguin embraces a new perspective. He sits on a pristine peak, gazes at gracefully falling flurries, and muses, "Maybe things will work out, after all"or not (the page turn reveals that the gentle snowflakes have turned into a full-fledged storm and Penguin has resumed his grousing). This sublime pairing of author and artist results in a rib-tickling exploration of what it means to look at the unsunny side. VERDICT Share this book with Claire Messer's Grumpy Pants for a storytime starring persnickety penguins. Joy Fleishhacker , School Library Journal

ALA Booklist (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Penguins don't seem to have a care in the world, but the waddling star of John and Smith's new picture book is here to set you straight. This penguin doesn't like the cold, the early morning, the salty smell of the ocean, or the constant squawking, and everyone looks exactly the same. "What is it with this place?" Thanks to Penguin's deadpan, saucer-eyed expression, all that negative attitude becomes pretty hilarious, and when a well-meaning walrus tries to give Penguin a lesson in gratitude, his over-the-top reaction is even sillier. Smith's multimedia illustrations, in a paint-splattered texture and minimal palette, add to the humor, particularly when he contrasts crowds of identical penguins with his grouchy protagonist. Soon, though, the penguin comes around to the walrus' view, and he starts to appreciate the icy beauty of the mountains and proximity of his friends (until his beak gets cold again, that is). With wry humor and distinctive artwork, this off-kilter tale will be right at home with fans of Jon Klassen's This Is Not My Hat (2012).

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Being a penguin is no day at the park: -It-s way too early. My beak is cold. What-s with all the squawking, you guys?- John-s bumbling, bleary-eyed penguin has a hard time on land, and the ocean depths are even worse: -Oh, great. A leopard seal. Oh, great. A shark.... What is it with this place?- Then there-s the matter of parents: -Mom?- the penguin asks another penguin near a crowd of look-alike penguins. -I literally have no idea who you are,- the other penguin replies. Just when things look hopeless, a passing walrus offers a comforting (if long-winded) sermon, and the penguin gets a moment of respite from his angst. John (I Love You Already) delivers a rat-a-tat series of laughs, and Smith-s (There Is a Tribe of Kids) mottled, minimalist polar landscapes highlight the penguin-s awkward moments. His story is classic comedy, an examination of the delicate balancing act between total despair (-I have so many problems! And nobody even cares!- the penguin cries) and the resolve to stumble on. Ages 3-7. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Sept.)

Horn Book (Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

The snark level is high in this collaboration between funnymen John and Smith. Penguin wakes up and immediately begins to complain. When he loses his cool ("I have so many problems! And nobody even cares!"), an eloquent walrus offers wise advice. Penguin is at times wonderfully expressive, at others hilariously deadpan; his words, rendered in orange type, vary in size based on his presumed volume.