PICTURE BOOKS

Biguana: (and his best friend Pinto)

by Michael Parkin (text) & illus. by Michael Parkin
Flying Eye. Jun. 2026. 32p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781838740955. K-Gr 2
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 2–In this British import, Biguana, a teal colored iguana with sunglasses, and Pinto, a purple penguin with a scooter, have been friends since the day they hatched side by side. When Biguana grows into his over-sized name and starts performing tricks in the bay, he becomes drunk on the cheering attention of the vacationers who gather to watch him. Lonely, Pinto works on tricks of his own with his scooter and inadvertently draws all the attention away. Biguana is chastened by the loneliness that he now feels, apologizes to his best friend, and the two find true happiness in playing together. Cartoon style illustrations in bold, flat colors are most entertaining in the busy crowd scenes of happy tourists on their boats, kayaks, and inner tubes.
VERDICT The predictable, lesson-y nature of the story will likely keep young listeners from returning for additional readings.
Reviewed by Jan Solow , Oct 01, 2025

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