About:
Polly Pecorino is an animal rescuer – she has been this way all her life. She’s also able to talk to animals. Her Uncle Stan works at Happy Days Zoo and Polly spends lots of her time chatting to the zoo’s inhabitants. Unfortunately, the zoo has been a miserable place since it was taken over by Mr and Mrs Snell. When the Snells kidnap a tiny bear cub, and put him on display, they provoke the anger of the bears in the Wild Wood.
The bears are angry and they want their cub back. After their rescue attempts fail, it falls to Polly to take BooBoo out of the zoo and guide him home to the bears where he belongs.
Unfortunately, Polly will have to outwit the Snells and convince the bears she means no harm.
Review:
Polly Pecorino is the kind of book I would have adored as a child. I loved Dick King Smith’s animal adventures – many of which were suitable for younger middle grade readers – and I’m always delighted to find something similar for today’s generation. Polly is every child who has ever rescued insects or chatted to local wildlife. Her connection with BooBoo leads her to the woods where the bears live in a fantastical community.
The villains of this story are nasty, selfish and not the brightest cookies in the jar. Their massive personalities will entertain young readers because it is impossible to read their introduction and not want to see them face their comeuppance. The Snells don’t love animals like Polly does; they own the zoo by fate of birth and they would like it to make them enough money to support a luxury lifestyle. BooBoo the bear cub brings them some of the money and attention that they dream of and they want him to remain trapped within the zoo’s walls.
Emma Chichester Clark’s illustrations are filled with character, and they tell the story as much as the words. I especially love the bears, who are simultaneously terrifying and friendly. It’s an interesting thought that what makes them terrifying is righteous anger at the humans who kidnapped BooBoo.
This story sits beautifully in the 7 -9 age range, but it could be enjoyed by older children too. I can see both children and adults falling in love with it and it would make a great bedtime story because – if they are anything like me – the grown-ups will want to read on.
A delightful and beautifully-illustrated tale that will leave readers wishing to meet bears in their local woods.
- Polly Pecorino by Emma Chichester Clark is available now from Walker Books. RRP. £10.99 (Copy received for review as part of a promotional blog tour)
