Freya & Zoose by Emily Butler

Freya, a penguin, has read about traveling and wants to do it herself.  The one trip she tried stranded her, so when some men come to fly a balloon to the North Pole she decides this is her chance to escape the island...

Crown Books for Young Readers and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published January 15th.

She finds a perfect spot in the wicker basket and creates her a hiding spot.  She makes several trips supplying it with what she needs.  She's all excited about her trip until she finds out there's a stowaway with her.  A mouse is using her secret spot, too.  In some ways it's nice but he talks a lot and is a bit selfish so she's not real excited about it.  She can't do anything about it, though.

The trip is long and dangerous.  Flying the balloon isn't as smooth as anticipated because the weather keeps changing.  The humans lighten the load and it helps some.  But more trouble is to come.

They meet a polar bear who is quite deadly, a fox and a narwhale, and the weather turns out to be deadly to the men.  It's good thing the penguin and the mouse become friends with each other.  They take care of themselves and each other and survive.

This was an unusual adventure written for little ones.  They will learn about different animals, the dangers of cold weather, and more.  I found it to be an interesting read with fascinating characters.