Up and Down

My 2.5 year old son loves to be read to and many of the kids books nowadays are wonderful even for adults. Up and Down does a great job involving the parent and child with great visuals. It's about a boy and a penguin who are great friends and the penguin wants to fly because he has wings. In an effort to do so, he has the boy try to help him with various endeavors but none work. He then heads off to become a "Human" Cannonball but gets separated from his friend. The problem with being a cannonball is that he wasn't sure how he was going to land or where? The boy frantically searches for the penguin and sees a poster of him performing that night and runs to catch him-which he does (SPOILER ALERT!). They are happily reunited again.I HIGHLY recommend you also purchase LOST AND FOUND which is the Prequel to this book about the same boy and penguin. They are sort of companion stories and brings much more depth when read together with Up and Down. Their human/penguin friendships is heart-warming and the type of friendship I would hope for with my children and others.

Why isn't Oliver Jeffers as popular in the U.S. as, say, Mo Willems or that Pinkalicious author or any other major kiddie author? I don't get it -- his illustrations are beautiful, his stories are fun (and often funny), his books feature cool stuff that kids love, like rocket ships, things being shot out of cannons, penguins, etc., AND the stories aren't so long that your kid can use them to delay bedtime forever. My son loves Up and Down just as much as he loves its prequel Lost and Found, and he also was delighted that the same characters show up in these two books (and also in The Way Back Home, though only the boy has a starring role in that one -- the penguin just makes a cameo). I for one am thankful to Jeffers for creating books that are enjoyable for kids AND their parents.

As good as "lost and found", with a very positive message ( if you are looking for it) or a very nice story ( if you are willing to read it for your kids =) Good for adults and kids ( think about reading "lost and found" by the same author too!!)

my children, love this book because she has learned so much words in this book

This is a delightful book and the pictures are so cute. My grandkids love this book and they can read it themselves. You need to read the first book Lost and Found before you read this one. Well written book. My grandkids are 5 and 7 and just right for them.

Jeffers takes us on a journey with the boy and his penguin as they navigate the highs and lows of their unique friendship. This book serves as a gentle reminder that some experiences are truly better when shared with a friend.

This book is an excellent follow-up to Lost and Found, where the boy and his penguin friend are introduced. It's not necessary to have read the first book to appreciate this one, but having both would be awesome for a child's personal library. Kids (and adults) will experience all the complexities and emotions that go along with friendship while the illustrations add the perfect touch. The author's message comes through crystal clear, making its way into your heart to stay.

These are fun stories that the kids love. Just wish there were more