When Virgil the penguin "finds" a polar bear, he decides that he will keep this new ursine companion as his own. Telling the bear that he is his, Virgil is dismayed and then angry when the bear proceeds to play with all of the other animals on the ice. Sliding with the seals, ice-skating with the other penguins, the bear is an equal-opportunity playmate, and singularly unimpressed when Virgil throws a temper-tantrum. Declaring that his name is Owen, the bear refuses to just follow along. He does invite Virgil to join the group, however...

A sweet little tale of how (and how not) to make friends, Virgil & Owen demonstrates the dangers of trying to possess or control our companions, rather than truly valuing them as friends, and allowing them the freedom to make their own decisions, and to have other friends. The artwork, done in pen and watercolor, depicts the arctic/antarctic creatures and their wintry world in a fun way. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books about friendship. ( )

Possessive penguin learns the meaning of friendship. ( )

Library copy ( )