Young Reader Review: Once Upon an Iceberg: Errol’s Twillingate Adventure
Once Upon an Iceberg: Errol’s Twillingate Adventure
Author: Sheilah Lukins
Illustrator: Laurel Keating
Breakwater Books
(Ages 7-12)
When Errol (an adventure-loving mouse) finds himself cornered by a large, black dog he fears the worst. But much to his surprise, it turns out that he has actually made a new friend.
Gus lives down the lane and when he invites Errol to go to Twillingate for the weekend with him and his family, Errol is ecstatic. He convinces his parents to let him go, buries himself in the fur above Gus’s collar and heads off!
As he learns more about his new canine friend, Errol discovers that Gus’s father, whom he has never met, was from Twillingate. Gus longs to find his father but is never given the chance to explore.
Errol vows to help. While he searches high and low for a dog that matches Gus’s description of his father, he encounters icebergs and rogue waves, hitches a ride in a pizza box and climbs to the very top of a great lighthouse. Finally, just before they head home to Beachy Cove Drung, Errol helps Gus get his wish at last.
In this latest entry in Sheilah Lukins’ early chapter book series about Errol’s ongoing exploits, our feisty and kindhearted hero is as intrepid as ever. The chapters are short and action-packed, perfect for holding the attention of young readers.
Errol is plucky and determined but also caring and thoughtful (he brings a treasure from the sea home to his mother). The plot is brisk and fast-paced with just the right amount of danger mixed in for good measure.
Laurel Keating’s soft and lively illustrations are richly coloured and jewel-toned, featuring bold outlines and vivid facial expressions. Together, the text and illustrations tell a delightful tale that emergent readers will savour.
Lisa Doucet is the co-manager of Woozles Children’s Bookstore in Halifax. She shares her passion for children’s and young adult books as our young readers editor and book reviewer.
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