Eventually, Virgil storms off to sulk because Owen won’t ignore everyone else. When Owen invites him to come back and join in the fun, Virgil discovers that playing with a group can be fun too.
Books about making friends and including others abound, but the simple story of Virgil and Owen focuses on a particular aspect of childhood friendship that is often overlooked – when one person wants exclusive friendship with another. In the beginning, Virgil treats Owen more like a belonging than a friend (he doesn’t even ask him his name), and it takes a little while for Virgil to realise that he will have more fun if he relaxes and joins in the activities of the group.
Author/illustrator Paulette Bogan has created two appealing characters with her fun illustrations. I confess that I was hooked by the title (Virgil and Owen are such great names for a penguin and polar bear). While the message of the book is a little obvious, it is a great way of reminding children that it is important to ‘share’ their friends with others.
Title: Virgil & Owen
Author/Illustrator: Virgil and Owen
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's, $19.99 RRP
Publication Date: March 2015
Format: Hardcover (with dust jacket)
ISBN: 9781639633728
For ages: 3 - 7
Type: Picture Book
