The Adventures of Marco and Polo [Hardcover]

Dieter Wiesmuller (Author, Illustrator), Dieter Wiesmller (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

With stunning, impressionistic illustrations, Dieter Wiesmller takes young readers on a delightful journey of discovery. Marco Monkey grew up in a land of steamy tropical rainforests. Polo Penguin had never left the frosty cold ice pack of Antarctica. But the two adventurers share a curiosity about the world around them that leads them on a globe-spanning expedition that explores both the wonders of the Earth around them and the very nature of friendship itself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Two unlikely friends--one from Antarctica, the other from an African jungle--meet by chance when a cruise ship puts in at the South Pole. Marco Monkey and Polo Penguin hit it off and, after visiting each other's homelands, attempt to find some middle ground that is "neither too hot for Polo nor too cold for Marco." Although their eventual selection (it's New York City, recognizable by the Chrysler and Empire State buildings) doesn't work out, this amiable story of friendship ends on an upbeat note, with the two returning to their native climes and becoming pen pals. German author/artist Wiesm?ller strikes a jaunty tone with both narrative and artwork (when Polo's family--an enormous flock of penguins that fades off beyond the edges of the horizon--lines up to greet Marco, "A great many flippers were shaken"; later when Polo meets Marco's abundant primate family, the text echoes, "A great many hands were shaken"). With his gloriously lavish oil paintings, he navigates breezily between the distinctly different settings, offering such grand vistas as a blue whale breaching in the waters beside an icy cliff and the mistily majestic Victoria Falls, and his adept use of diffuse light works as effectively to convey the chill of a polar snowstorm as it does the sweltering African noonday sun. A congenial reflection on the nature of friendship, beautifully presented. Ages 5-8. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-When Marco Monkey leaves his tropical rain forest to explore the chilly Antarctic, Polo Penguin shows him such sights as whales and icebergs. Although Marco is impressed by these sights, he is struck more by how cold he feels. When Polo visits Marco's part of the world, he encounters elephants and waterfalls. He is similarly intrigued, but grows weary because of the heat. The two friends travel to a city to see if they can both live there comfortably, but find it too noisy and crowded. Sadly, "they each realized that they had to go back to where they belonged"-a somewhat limiting message for children. The patterns and repetitions of the text will allow young readers to anticipate events and responses. Outstanding impressionistic acrylic paintings over two-page spreads feature some dramatic perspectives and capture the personalities of the creatures. The icy blue and lush green tones vividly bring to life the separate worlds.
Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802787290
• ISBN-13: 978-0802787293
• Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #672,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An illustrator, December 21, 2001

By 

Ron Nepereny (Chicago,Il) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adventures of Marco and Polo (Hardcover)

Impressive illustrations that anyone will appreciate. A very
nice story to go along with it. The person who has "an issue with the story's underlying message" in the book is oviously reading too far into it and should try to learn to enjoy it for what it is-an entertaining well written and beautifully
illustrated children's book. I highly recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exotic Friends Living Worlds Apart., March 4, 2005

By 

tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Adventures of Marco and Polo (Hardcover)

THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO AND POLO is a beautiful lavishly illustrated story about a monkey named Marco and a penguin named Polo. Polo penguin awakes one morning to see smoke billowing over the horizon. The smoke turns out to come from a cruise ship that drops off a monkey name Marco. Marco carries a camera and has come to explore the most exotic country he could find. Polo Penguin shows him around, but things are too cold for Marco and he wants to return home. Marco tells Polo that his home is always warm and Polo becomes intrigued with the idea of a place that is always warm and sets off to visit Marco's home. An international animal cultural exchange takes place. The two quickly become friends, but are troubled by the fact that neither one enjoys the climate of the other's home. The final pages illustrate and describe what is done to reach a compromise.

THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO AND POLO is a beautifully illustrated book. Even if children don't like the story, they will love looking at the pictures and the book is worth purchasing for those alone. However, the story is slightly charming and will amuse young children.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites, January 11, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Adventures of Marco and Polo (Hardcover)

I like this book because it has beautiful illustrations, that show animals and places in the jungle and Antarctica. I like the story, because Marco and Polo do interesting things and they stay friends.