One of my favourite children's books, this story wins a place on the picture books list because it's so heartwarming - and contains one of my very favourite lines in any picture book, 'the boy tested the boat for size and strength'. I love it when authors don't talk down to children but use sophisticated language and grammar, and this a such a perfect example, it always makes me smile!

Celebrating a friendship where the boy puts the penguin's needs first, even though he will lose him in doing so, Jeffers hints at that special secret of true friendship; being prepared to give with no thought of return. Of course, in this book, the boy is rewarded with penguin's loyalty and love, and the perfect moment when they meet eachother again in the middle of the ocean.

The illustrations in the book, so quintessentially Jeffers' style, are so quirkily beautiful. It's a perfect story about the pain of goodbyes, and the joy of meetings.