Mr Penguin and the Lost Treasure

Mr Penguin #1

by Alex T. Smith

From the international bestselling creator of Claude, comes a brand new hero - Mr Penguin, adventurer and penguin.

Indiana Jones meets Hercule Poirot in this new Alex T. Smith series with plenty of slapstick humour, mystery and adventure. Highly illustrated throughout with a striking black and orange design.

It has been weeks since Mr Penguin's last adventure and he's been stuck at his desk, twiddling his flippers ever since. That is until the phone rings!

Mr Penguin and Colin (a spider and Mr Penguin's silent right hand man) are called in to find the missing treasure somewhere in the Museum of Extraordinary Objects. The quest finds them solving secret codes, fighting ferocious beasts, eating fish finger sandwiches and travelling deep below the museum to a lost jungle...

Genres: Mystery, Adventure, Middle Grade, Humor, Animals, Childrens, Fiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 2017

About the author

Alex T. Smith is the creator of the much-loved and bestselling Claude fiction series for early readers. He was the official World Book Day illustrator in 2014, and other recent accolades include the UKLA Picture Book Award for Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion and the Children’s Book of the World Illustration Award for illustrating Dodie Smith’s The Hundred and One Dalmatians. When not working, Alex enjoys doodling in his sketchbook, reading, people-watching, and eavesdropping. He lives under the watchful eye of his small canine companions, who are a constant source of inspiration to him.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex T. Smith is best known for his popular Claude books, which are very beloved in our house. As such, I was keen to try his new book, featuring Mr Penguin – adventurer, with a dashing hat, magnifying glass, a packed lunch and a very keen attitude…

Mr Penguin advertises in ‘The Cityville Times,’ looking for adventure and this comes when he gets his first call, from Boudicca Bones at the Museum of Extraordinary Objects. Ms Bones is desperate to find the treasure that her great-great-great-grandfather buried somewhere in the museum and Mr Penguin is sure he can help her.

With twenty three short chapters, lots of illustrations, a funny cast of characters and an exciting adventurous story, this is certainly a winner. Best of all, there is a second book in the series planned; “Mr Penguin and the Fortress of Secrets.”

This is aimed at children aged 6-8, but I think this has a wider readership in terms of age. Personally, I think it will appeal to children of 5, up to 9 or 10. As a reading mentor, I am always looking for children’s books to engage reluctant readers and I will certainly add this to my list of engaging, well written books that, with lots of visual appeal, and short chapters, will have lots of appeal.

[Luna's Little Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Fun. :)

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, this was just such a delight to read. I had so so much fun. I loved Colin, he was definitely and by far my favourite character of the whole book. I had a suspicion who those two people were right from the beginning, but that didn't make the book any less fun, if anything it made it more fun as I was waiting for Penguin to figure it out. I also love the old lady with her pigeon. The treasure hunt was just perfect and fun and alligator-invested. There is treasure, fish-sandwiches, and more. The art was so much fun. And I cannot wait until after my vacation because I got plans to get the other books.

[Anthony Buck · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids (9 and 6) absolutely loved this and I thought it was ok. I didn't find anything exceptional about it. This book is reasonably funny, charming, imaginative and well written, but doesn't really excel on any of those criteria.

[Kait · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute hoot of a book! I enjoyed reading it aloud to my kids and they kept begging for the next chapter and the next chapter, and now the next book. Can’t wait to continue our adventures with Mr. Penguin!

P.S. The author has an obsession with the word “clambering.” It is used at least 10 times and I found that utterly amusing.

[Carrie Brownell · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know what? It's cute. We found this book in a bookstore in the UK and it looked fun. I breezed through it and approved the purchase for two of my kids who enjoy both adventure and slapstick. I gave this a full read first and it's pretty tame and cute. It's on the level of Mercy Watson. If that is the reading level your kids are at, then Mr. Penguin would fall right in line.

No complaints. I handed it over to the kids for their light reading pleasure.

[Abby Johnson]

Loveable, bumbling characters, witty dialog, and plenty of slapstick humor make this a highly illustrated mystery series that will please young sleuths and adventurers who love to laugh. It's silly fun.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS. Fun. The mystery was easy for me (as an adult) to solve and you just have to go with the outrageous story line but it's quite diverting.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an early chapter book that would be great for anyone, but especially reluctant readers. It is a fun story with enough illustrations to add much to the story. It is quite funny with some great characters and just a bit of bathroom humour. Who would have thought another world lay beneath the Museum of Extraordinary Objects? What librarian (retired in this case) wouldn't love a penguin who loves to read? Mr. Penguin enjoys adventure books so much that he opens his own "Adventure Business" and advertises in the paper. His first case is to find the treasure that the great-great-great-grandfather of Boudicca Bones has hidden on the Museum Grounds. With his trusty sidekick, Colin the spider, the adventure begins. It is a bit like Indiana Jones with alligators, waterfalls, scheming jewel thieves and so much more. The illustrations show what's going on in the story, so they are both amusing and helpful in understanding and following the action. I read this book to my grandson over a few days and he really enjoyed the antics of Mr. Penguin and his friends. He asked what a few of the expressions meant as they were British slang, but this did not diminish his enjoyment. He laughed along with their adventures and wanted to know if I had another book about Mr. Penguin. This book could be read aloud or independently (children ages 7 to 9). I recommend this one, especially for classrooms and family libraries. I need to find out if there will be more Mr. Penguin books. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Adventuring was a lot more dangerous than he’d imagined.”

Mr. Penguin really hopes his business as a Professional Adventurer will take off. How could it fail? He's got the fancy hat with the arrow through it and some really jazzy bow ties. He's got Colin, his partner, a spider who does kung fu. And in all his favorite books, there's always someone in danger or in need of someone to solve a mystery for them. But so far, not much is happening. He's down to his last fish finger sandwich and no money in his piggy back. If the phone doesn't ring soon, he'll be back on "the first boat back to the Frozen South." Yikes!

Thank goodness Miss Bones, the curator of the Museum of Extraordinary Objects, needs his help! Her museum is absolutely falling apart and will have to close unless they can find the secret treasure that her great-great-great-grandfather hid somewhere in the museum. She and her brother, Montague, have been searching everywhere but haven't been able to find even a clue.

On their way to the museum, they run into (literally) Edith Hedge with her pigeon, Gordon, riding on her shoulder. But nothing can stop Mr. Penguin in his pursuit of adventure! He just didn't realize that adventures could be scary and dangerous and inconvenient! He doesn't even have time to eat the fish finger sandwich he packed ... and he's starving!

A funny, goofy mystery for students in 3rd grade and up!

[Bristol Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

For readers look for a hilarious caper with loveable characters this librarian recommends Mr. Penguin and the Lost Treasure by Alex T. Smith. Mr. Penguin has always enjoyed adventure novels so he decides to open his own office and become a professional adventurer. However business has been slow and Mr. Penguin worries that he won’t be able to afford his favorite fish sticks sandwiches or fancy bow ties for much longer. Luckily he gets a call from Ms.Boudicca Bones who is in desperate need of help finding her family treasure in order to save the crumbling local museum. He along with his sidekick Colin, a kung-fu loving spider quickly arrive at the museum ready to solve the case and find the treasure. Along the way Mr. Penguin and friends with face off against alligators, waterfalls, scheming jewel thieves and so much more! This book is an utterly amusing delight. Readers will be pulled into Mr. Penguin and his adventures from the very first chapter. The illustrations are charming and range from full to half page pictures. This is an ideal book for early chapter book readers or students grade two and up. Younger readers may be a little confused by some of the British slang peppered throughout the book which is something to keep in mind. This librarian gives this funny mystery caper four out of five stars.

-Alex

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Penguin has decided to open his own adventuring business. He and his trusty assistant, Colin, a spider, are ready to be there when you need an adventurer. On his very first day, Mr Penguin is called by the owners of The Museum of Extraordinary Objects to come help them find a treasure. But adventuring turns out to be a whole lot more long, tiring, dangerous, and hungry than Mr Penguin thought it would be. Can he and Colin make it as adventurers?

Every couple pages or so there are illustrations in here, and they definitely help you picture the action. Mr Penguin is most entertaining to adventure with, especially with his idealistic views of adventuring that get shattered by his first case. Surprisingly, Colin was my favorite character. He is full of surprises. And the case itself is quite thrilling. What's not to love about a secret underground jungle below a museum and a treasure map to follow? A fun read for the lower grade armchair adventurer or humor loving reader, and it should appeal equally to both boys and girls.

Notes on content: No language issues or sexual content. Violence is threatened but dangerous situations are evaded in the ta-da nick of time. A little bit of bathroom humor, but not overboard.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up after seeing it in a 'Best of 2019' list, since I'm always looking for new mysteries. When you look at the font size and illustrations, it would seem like a early chapter book, but it actually has a lot of hard (and sometimes British) words in it, like experimental, tremendous, satchel, cryptic, encouragingly (to pick a few from the first couple of chapters). The adventure is silly and a little ludicrous, but also fun and fast-paced. I especially loved his spider sidekick, Colin.

[Robin Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex T. Smith is such a genius. His stories are always witty and fun and beautifully drawn, and Mr Penguin is no exception. An adventurous penguin with a taste for fish finger sandwiches, Mr Penguin and his spider sidekick are a fantastic new detective duo! 5+

*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex and Violet read this one without me, so I got to giggle by myself while reading the first Mr. Penguin adventure. I am always amused by Alex T. Smith’s illustrations and sense of humor, and I loved the characters in this one: Mr. Penguin of course, but even more than him, I adored Colin the spider and his notepad, and Edith and Gordon (her pigeon friend who travels on her head). The illustration of Gordon on p. 141 - priceless! Will definitely read the others in the series with or without Violet.

[Jessie Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very charmed by Mr. Penguin and even more so by his sidekick, Colin, an especially clever spider with awesome kung-fu moves. They set off on their first job as professional Adventurers, which has all the elements of an excellent adventure story: jewel thieves, an old museum with hidden passageways, bloodthirsty alligators, and plot twists galore. It's basically Indiana Jones minus the colonialism, plus a penguin. Fast-paced, funny, and exciting, with delightful illustrations throughout, this is a great early chapter book for a reluctant reader or anyone who loves adventure.

[Beth Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such fun. Read aloud to Gwen (some John, some Alec, and Will listened even though he already read it) and she never wanted me to stop. This was longer (200 p), cute pictures in each chapter, and a fun mystery that was actually mysterious. I did not like the Claude series by this author so came to this one a little skeptical, but so pleasantly surprised.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d bet your bumbag that you’ll think this is as adorable as I did!

[Katie Flegal Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud with Harley. Cute for early readers who want a chapter book with pictures

[Leo Burford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot.It was also kind of funny.

[Jessica Wilhoite · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an adorable book and I am so glad Jackson liked it. Now on to book 2...

[Sylwia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Idealne dla 6 latków

[Chrisdee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the most fun read alouds we have done yet. Great humor, great adventure and really fun twists/mystery along the way.

[Lottie Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book to my class! (Year 3)
It kept them on the edge of their seats throughout and they loved the comedy element!

[Qt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and fun; I love the illustrations.

[Sarah Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex T Smith is one of the best children’s authors I’ve encountered as a parent - all killer no filler, and the first Mr Penguin book is no exception

[bear.hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud

[Lee Kofman · Rating 3 out of 5]

was quite funny and inventive to begin with, but became less quirky and more ‘explanatory’ towards the end. By the end of it I was particularly missing the humour of the first third. But my children loved it nevertheless.

[Terrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the first day of Mr. Penguin's new business as an adventurer for hire. With the help of his sidekick, Colin, a spider, they are hired by Miss Boudicca Bones, museum director, to find the lost treasure of the Cityville Museum of Extraordinary Objects before some escaped prisoners find and steal it.
This was a clever little story that had me chuckling and thoroughly enjoying the illustrations and hilarity or these characters and their predicaments. I think kids will love it. ages 6-10.

[Pop Bop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheerful and Smart

The fact that our author, Alex Smith, is responsible for the amusing "Claude" series was all I needed to interest me in this book, the first in a new "Mr. Penguin" series. This one seems aimed at a slightly older crowd, but has the same charm and appeal as the "Claude" books.

This time out our heroes are the newly minted Adventurer/detective Mr. Penguin and his bowler-hatted spider sidekick, Colin. We're off to search for treasure in an old museum building, and maybe to foil some would be robbers.

Mr. Penguin is new to the Adventure business, and untested, but he proves his mettle in this tale. Smith excels at creating characters who are a bit innocent and inexperienced, but full of good instincts, good intentions, and the right stuff. I think these are great sorts of main characters for kids books. Mr. Penguin isn't foolish or sappy or cowardly or "silly". Like the book's readers, he's keen to have adventures, have experiences, do right, and "grow up". That you can have all of that with some excitement and a lot of laughs is just super extra bonus time.

The drawing supports all of that wonderfully. The lines are crisp and clear, and color is understated. The drawings illustrate what's going on in the story, so they are both amusing in their own right and helpful in understanding and following the action. Whimsy is in the eye of the beholder, but at least to me these characters just come across as fun and friendly.

"Smart" might seem to be an odd word to use to describe a funsy chapter book, but that's one of the distinguishing aspects of this book. The vocabulary isn't unfairly demanding, but Smith sometimes uses words that offer just enough challenge to engage an older reader and to broaden the reading experience. ("The sun was just peeking up above the roofs of the skyscrapers and sparkling off their windows. It made the entire town look like it was covered in sequins.") Sentences are complex, and there's enough subtle irony and deadpan humor mixed in to make the text a bit more sophisticated than seems usual to me.

So, I thought this was both good-natured fun and a quality reading experience, and I was delighted to have this new step up from "Claude".

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)