ALA Booklist

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 d winter.

Horn Book (Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

Tired of the cold, Penguin heads to a tropical island, but skiing and skating don't work there. Before he throws in the (beach) towel, Penguin meets an island native who shows him how to enjoy everything the beach has to offer. As in Penguin and Pinecone, Yoon's story of an interspecies friendship is both funny and sweet, especially as portrayed in her welcoming illustrations.

School Library Journal (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

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