FREYA & ZOOSE
by Emily Butler
Crown Books for Young Readers, 2019

Freya has always craved–and feared–adventure. Traipsing all over the world is simply not what dignified rockhopper penguins do. But when she hears about Captain Salomon August Andrée’s hot-air balloon expedition to the North Pole, Freya packs her copy of Hints to Lady Travellers and hops on board. Only moments after leaving land, Freya discovers a fellow stowaway! Meet Zoose, the scrappy, uncouth mouse whose endless wisecracks and despicable manners make him a less-than-ideal travel companion. When the hot-air balloon is forced to land in the Arctic, these polar opposites must learn how to get along. Their very survival depends on it. Debut author Emily Butler spins wonder and whimsy and Jennifer Thermes contributes over fifty black-and-white illustrations to bring this enchanting friendship tale to life.

 

“Thermes’s winsome black-and-white illustrations capture the quirky setting, where proper penguins wear cravats and pearls
to eat fish by chandelier light. This skillfully told first novel will make a popular read-aloud; it’s a worthy successor to Chris Kurtz’s Adventures of a South Pole Pig and Kate DiCamillo’s The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.”
School Library Journal, *starred review*

“Butler has a light, humorous, and fluent touch, which particularly shines when her characters share their own stories.
This endearing travel-buddy tale is further brightened by Thermes’ charming illustrations.”—Kirkus Reviews

IndieBound  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Amazon