Augustine
Grade 2 Up–Augustine is a South Pole penguin whose family is relocating to the North Pole. Named after Pierre-Auguste Renoir, she loves to draw. She is apparently inspired by Magritte, Monet, Munch, Picasso, and Renoir, and the book is illustrated with snippets of her interpretations of their work. While the little bird and her family seem to enjoy their new home, Augustine is shy in school and worries about making friends. But her artwork breaks the ice, and she comfortably adjusts to her new environment. This is a useful attempt to introduce children to art and to dealing with changes in their lives, but there might be a bit too much going on here. The acrylic-and-pencil artwork is naturally childlike, an effective touch. However, penguins do not live in the North Pole, so even though this fictional introduction to art is somewhat well done, the basis of the story is unsettling. Overall, this picture book may be too ambitious.–Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.