Neville is a very brave penguin. Unfazed by new or difficult things, and popular. One day a killer whale ingests him … but all is not lost. He finds himself in the whale’s mouth with a seal called Reg. Together they must bide their time and find a way out.
This is a very funny picture book with a (large) touch of the absurd. Neville and Reg are opposites – Reg is intellectual but frightened, Neville is brave and resourceful. Reg is more of a wait-and-see kind of guy while Neville takes the reins. After getting bored, interior decorating and playing cards, Neville tries to get out: he wobbles teeth and builds a tower out of furniture, to no avail. The interactions here are both funny and insightful: Reg is worried about trying to get out because it might be dangerous or they might look foolish if they fail. Neville attempts escape in creative ways, but it turns out Reg knows a lot more about the inner workings of a killer whale than Neville. I love the message that we are all different and unique and have our own strengths. And Neville’s perseverance is a good lesson for us all. The story is very funny, the language almost a bit too complicated for the young children that it’s aimed at, but they probably get the gist. And my co-pilot 8-year-old guffawed with laughter, as did I.
Neville’s Great Escape is a funny, insightful book with great illustrations. I especially like the furniture.
Reviewed by Amanda Brinkman
Age Guide 4+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean E Avery is a teacher, writer-illustrator, sculptor and designer born in South Africa; living in Perth, Western Australia. Locally, he’s best known as the writer-illustrator of best-selling children’s picture book, All Monkeys Love Bananas.
His picture book, Happy as a Hog Out of Mud, won the 2022 WAYRBA Picture Book of the Year Award and his last book, Frank’s Red Hat, won the the 2023 CBCA Shadow Judges Picture Book of the Year award and was shortlisted for the 2023 Indie, WAYRBA and CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award. It has been translated into French, Korean, German and Danish. Sean’s new graphic novel, Friendly Bee and Friends, is out now.
Internationally, he’s best known as a sculptor who uses CDs and DVDs to create breathtaking works of art that reside in galleries and private collections all around the world. He is curious, enthusiastic and ready to work hard for the things he believes in.
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