Publishers Weekly - Audio
Neversink is an island in the Arctic populated by seabirds called auks. They live a peaceful existence, ignoring the forward-thinking ideas of one auk, a puffin named Lockley, and his friends, a walrus named Egbert and a hummingbird named Ruby. But their peaceful life is shattered when Rozbell, an evil owl, gains control of the Owl Parliament, takes over Neversink, and oppresses the auks, leaving Lockley and his friends to save the day. Emrhys Cooper brings engaging and lively narration to the story, and his creative character voices—particularly the droopy, pontificating tones of walrus Egbert and the tough English accents of Rozbell’s two henchmen. Ages 8–12. A Walden Pond hardcover. (Sept.)
Publishers Weekly
Wolverton debuts with a whimsical fantasy that does for Arctic waterfowl what the Redwall series did for woodland creatures. When a “Sickness” threatens the food supplies of the birds of Tytonia, the scheming pygmy owl Rozbell uses the opportunity to seize control of the Owl Parliament. He then imposes a hefty tax upon the nearby island colony of Neversink, forcing the resident auks to supply him with increasing amounts of fish and other supplies. Only adventure-seeking puffin Lockley, hummingbird Ruby, and scholarly walrus Egbert are willing to take a stand for their imperiled home. Set when “umans did not yet roam the Earth, much less rule it,” Wolverton’s story takes place in a world in which owls wear bowler hats, walruses write multivolume history books, and puffins cook. The author is a natural storyteller, giving readers a charmingly wry, offbeat tale that draws on mythology and intersperses a good amount of information about Arctic wildlife amid the story’s humor. Nielson’s spot illustrations, not all seen by PW, strike just the right balance between anthropomorphism and realism. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Apr.)
NOVEMBER 2012 - AudioFile
The inhabitants of Neversink find themselves in an epic struggle against their oppressors, the owls. Narrator Emrhys Cooper voices Lockley, a courageous puffin who is a modest hero, with a soft, open voice. Lockley’s well-meaning, if pompous, best friend and literati, Egbert, speaks in a low tone that is quite appropriate for a walrus. Cooper manages a wide range of pitches, including a high one for a high-strung hummingbird, without stretching the listener’s ear too far. His measured pace is a pleasure to listen to, as are the variety of English accents that reflect the social standing of the characters, who range from weasels to the ruling owls. Cooper’s narration is at once relaxed and suspenseful as Lockley and the exiled Egbert end up on a journey to rescue the home they love. A.M.P. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
When his family and colony are threatened by usurping owls and an unpredictable sea goddess, a plucky puffin learns about injustice and leadership by embarking on a perilous "spirit journey." Lockley Puffin and his wife Lucy live in Auk's Landing, on Neversink, an island in the Arctic Circle and an independent colony of Tytonia. Auks typically avoid making waves, and Lockely's a bit of a troublemaker, hanging out with officious walrus Egbert, and Ruby, a sassy hummingbird. Trouble ensues when Egbert invites Tytonia's owls to a party where Lucy serves delicious fish smidgens. Tytonia's new king, Rozbell, a tiny, power-crazed owl, sees smidgens as a way to control Tytonia by imposing a tax on all fish the auks catch, to be paid with Lucy's fish smidgens. The insatiable demand for smidgens triggers sea goddess Sedna's wrath. She withholds the fish, jeopardizing Neversink's survival. Forced to make some huge waves, Lockley undertakes a harrowing quest to appease Sedna. With history and myths reminiscent of Norse sagas, Neversink and its feathered denizens impart lessons in power, leadership and the role of "stories" in the guise of a fantasy adventure. Black-and-white illustrations highlight the avian theme. An unexpected hero and his amusing, devoted helpers entertain and inspire. (map) (Animal fantasy. 8-12)
