A silly, chilly calamity unfolds in the South Pole. . . . The penguins’ wide eyes are incredibly expressive, imbuing their hijinks with hilarity, and there’s plenty of fun vocab sprinkled through. . . . A gleeful ode to friendship and problem-solving.
—Kirkus Reviews
This story is based upon a factual phenomenon, but that base lies far, far down beneath an inky pile of cartoon silliness. Penguins do clump up, especially when cold. Montgomery imagines what might happen if a bunched-up group of penguins iced over so they fused together. . . The illustrations are speckled with sight-gags for adults. . . So, we have a gleefully frivolous situation.
—The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Montgomery’s text is admirably lean without sacrificing humor, vocabulary, and wordplay, while Warburton brings the frozen tundra and the bustling city to life with bright, energetic art that seems to fly, run, and waddle across the page. . . . The length is just right for a story hour, with a smooth flow of action that keeps the plot moving. Readers will enjoy the comedic failed attempts at separating the penguins and cheer when the huddle realizes that their bond is stronger than ever.
—School Library Journal