Regis Faller

I was utterly enchanted by this story of adventure and humor. It was a pleasant surprise; I suppose that's my fault for assuming I wouldn't be interested in a 'mere' picture book! I particularly like the dramatic irony in the scene where Polo first meets the Dragon: Polo is frightened by the sudden appearance of a fire-breathing dragon, while the audience can see that the dragon is simply exasperated with Polo for walking into his house and eating his dinner. The theme of not judging others show more based on appearances is apparent without seeming condescending or moralizing, and is something we could all - adults as well as children - use to be reminded of. show less

This is an amazing, surreal, fantastical tale of friendship and the love of a good book. Polo loves his book so much that he journeys through strange and unusual lands just to get it back, which is an excellent demonstration of how wonderful it can be to own a book. The story within a story is that all these amazing adventures may be in Polo’s own imagination. He is asleep both at the beginning and end of the story, which brings the book full circle and hints that everything that happened show more in the story may have been dreamed up in his imagination because of what he read in his new book. Polo also makes many new friends in the story, showing how fun and easy it can be to make new friends, even in a strange place. I love the way that all the characters are reunited at the very end, in a celebration of Polo recovering his book. This wordless book would be perfect for a preschool or for a kindergarten class library. I am really astounded at how much story can be told with no words, because this is the longest and most detailed wordless book I have ever seen, but the storyline is quite clear and interesting. show less

A little dog named Polo sets off from his tiny island tree house. As he journeys, he meets new friends and explores strange and new places.

What drew me into this wordless comic-style picturebook, was the seamless way Polo moves from place to place and between different modes of transportation. First, his tightrope becomes stairs into the sky, then a fishing line that he can slide down. His boat becomes an airplane, a tree house platform becomes a hot-air balloon, and much, much more!

I also show more love the brisk, definite lines of the art and the primary colors. They give Polo's adventures a cheerful, homey air, although he is wandering alone, far from home. All the characters he meets, with one exception (grumpy polar bear!) are friendly and each little scare has a happy ending.

Verdict: This is a happy read for poring over alone or with friends and children. It would make an excellent special present as well as a good addition to your library's wordless books or graphic novel collection.

ISBN: 978-1596431607; Published April 2006 by Roaring Brook; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library (by someone else - before my time) show less

Two more Polo books! I've very fond of these almost wordless picture books whose stories are told in comic panels. I am still secretly planning to buy the rest of this series for the library and move them out of picture books and into juvenile graphic novels to sit next to Owly. I think Polo and Owly could be good friends.

I loved Polo and the Dragon - it's the funniest one I've read so far and I was delighted to see some sentient art ala Harold in this story of unexpected weather and even show more more unexpected meetings!

Polo and the Magician wasn't one of my favorites - I couldn't decide if the Magician was being mean or not and he seemed kind of scary. Maybe because the colors seem to be a little darker in this one.

Verdict: Polo is great fun if you want to introduce young children to comics, like sly humor and delightful imagination, or enjoy simple adventures that end at home.

Polo and the dragon
ISBN: 978-1596434981; Published September 2009 by Roaring Brook; Borrowed from the library; Added to the library's wishlist

Polo and the magician
ISBN: 978-1596434974; Published September 2009 by Roaring Brook; Borrowed from the library; Added to the library's wishlist show less