Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North

October 15, 2020
Grades 2-4 A return to the Very, Very Far North is a welcome thing, indeed, and readers who fell in love with Duane the polar bear and his company of friends will welcome them back with open arms. Following the episodic formula of the first book, new illustrated adventures and misunderstandings unfold in this sequel, which is devoted to stories about keeping friends for the long haul. In direct opposition to this objective comes a new character, a mean-spirited weasel that loves sowing discord. He stirs up quite a bit of trouble for the Arctic animals, raising suspicions and distrust among the friends. His biggest coup involves large-scale trickery that targets shy caribou Boo, but it soon backfires as Duane orchestrates an even bigger apology to set things to rights. The animals' good hearts and intentions always win the day, ensuring that their escapades are always sweet and affirming. Young readers can look forward to the derring-do of Major Puff's migration, a beautiful science experiment from C.C., bear-sized kindness from Duane, and plenty of smiles and snacks.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

December 1, 2020

Gr 1-4- In this sequel to The Very, Very Far North (2019), readers are reunited with Duane the Polar Bear and his cast of vividly imagined friends. Each adventure serves to illustrate a social dynamic, highlighting the many different ways there are to be a friend and how to accommodate another's needs. A new character, a nameless weasel, tries to introduce discord among the friends by encouraging feelings of jealousy and suspicion. The social lessons sometimes cross over into didacticism, but will certainly be useful for some young readers, and the episodic plot keeps the story moving. VERDICT Purchase where the first book is popular; for fans of gentle animal stories or those looking for examples of how to navigate interpersonal challenges.-Gesse Stark-Smith, Multnomah County Lib., Portland, OR

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