Pugs of the Frozen North (A Not-So-Impossible Tale)

Philip Reeve’s “Not-So-Impossible Tales” are delightful adventures in imagination and absurdity. His most recent book, “Pugs of the Frozen North”, is slightly less comical and does address some serious topics. This story, like Reeve’s others, also place emphasis on self-reliance and the importance of friends and family. To lighten the tone of the story, it incorporates an imaginary character that will play a critical role in resolving Shen’s - the main character – dilemma and some humorous secondary “real” characters.When the “Lucky Star” becomes trapped in a frozen ocean, Captain Jeggings orders the crew to abandon ship. Ordered to save the cargo consisting of sixty-six pug dogs, Shen ultimately becomes responsible for their welfare. Abandoned by the Captain, Shen and the pugs traverse the frozen sea and eventually reach a village. There he meets Sika, a girl who tells him they are experiencing a magical “once-in-a-lifetime” winter. He learns of a race to the North Pole where the Snowfather lives. He will grant a wish to the winner; Sika wants to win so she can wish for her beloved grandfather to live and see another “once-in-a-lifetime” winter. Shen volunteers himself and the use of the sixty-six pugs so Sika may enter the race. Their adventures and the lessons they, along with the other race entrants, learn make this story entertaining while still teaching some valuable lessons.In “Pugs of the Frozen North”, Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre have given readers a book filled with humor, exciting situations, and very relatable characters. The cartoon-like, but not cartoonish, illustrations add to the one’s overall reading experience. Through use of the cartoon-style and a limited three-color format of the illustrations – green, black, and white – the fantasy aspect of the story becomes even stronger.The two have done an excellent job presenting situations and concerns many children experience. While fantasy and imaginative fictional characters fill “Pugs of the Frozen North”, the actual topics addressed are familiar and relevant. Fear of abandonment and disaster, and the need for family and friends are important to the target age group. Lessons involving cooperation and teamwork are presented without becoming didactic.“Pugs of the Frozen North” is written so well that adults can enjoy the story and not find it cloying or juvenile. The language is not “dumbed down”, but neither is it so complex as to discourage young readers. The story and its plentiful pictures are engaging enough to interest preschoolers to whom parents read bedtime stories. This is another winner for Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre.

I love Phillip Reeve. My dad and I read Science Fiction together when I was growing up but somehow we missed him. Maybe at that time (long ago and far away) he was not published in the USA? All of the books that I have read so far are fantastic. This one might be for kids but it shows his wonderful sense of humor and is a wonderful adventure for adults as well as kids. Just like Harry Potter is. I urge all of you to read not only this story but all his works. Some: like the ones about the Traction Cities and the Railhead series are more serious but others are seriously tongue in cheek humor. I have just discovered Mr. Reeve but am very glad I did. Marvelous man. I don't know if he is still alive but I hope so. He needs to write more stories. They are rich in character development and in the descriptions of the places, machines and other devices in the story. You can get a complete picture of the world in which you find yourself with each story. Thank you Mr. Reeve for giving us such marvelous stories.

My 8 year old read this as a Sunshine State book for school. She said she didn't really like it but couldn't explain why. After I read it we talked about the book and she certainly remembered many funny details ("Yeti Spaghetti - too obvious") and seemed to enjoy discussing it. I think she may have been disappointed that the dogs aren't really the focus of the story. I found the book to be imaginative and fun, with good lessons about teamwork, hard work and honesty.

I love it when a great author and a great illustrator come together! I bought this book on a whim because I thought my 9 year old would love a book about a bunch of pugs. It was easily one of the best books we ever read together and we've read A LOT of books. The illustrations are gorgeous... the writing is so incredibly creative. We read this one FAST even though it is about 211 pages. If your kids like adventure stories, ships, Krakens, Yetis, adorable pugs in sweaters... they will love this book.

Pugs are amazing critters that can do anything they put their minds to!

I liked the book and it was an adventure from the first page. I loved the different animals the author made up to pull the sleds and sleigh. Also, I liked how each character had their own personality and how you knew all their thoughts

Cute book. Strange names in the book. Shen? Sitka? On Po of ice...... cute story line and my 8year old can read it with help with some of the strange names. A chapter a night, and he keeps wanting to read more.

Fun book! This is one of my son's (9 years old) favorite books! The writing and characters are amusing, and there are lots of fun illustrations. It's nice to have a book that will keep the interest of a young, but advanced reader.

The ‘Pugs of the Frozen North’ is  another terrific tale from the incredibly talented Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre. Our intrepid duo have already brought us two fantastic adventures with ‘Oliver and the Seawigs’ and ‘Cakes in Space’ and this book is as equally brilliant.Our story begins when a deep winter appears overnight and Captain Jeggings and his crew suddenly find themselves trapped in a sea of ice and have to abandon ship. Shen, the cabin boy is left behind all alone, well apart from having 66 pugs for company. Shen sets off to find the rest of the crew and stumbles upon a town Snowdovia and a girl called Sika  who persuades him and the pugs to take part in ‘The Great Northern Race’. Sika wants to win the race so she can meet the Snowfather and make her one wish come true to make her Grandpa well again.The line up of the race participants, resembles the cast of the Wacky Races. We have the dastardly Sir Basil Sprout-Dumpling, the glamourous Mitzi Von Primm, the scientific Professor Shackleton Jones and the nature loving Helga Hammerfest. As the starting pistol is fired it looks like Shen and Sika will  be the underdogs as they set off on their arctic mission. As they journey north through they encounter lots of strange and magical beings including the octopus like Kraken, greedy trolls and noodle loving Yetis. Despite the best efforts of the conniving Sir Basil and lots of hazards that get in their way Shen and Sika finally reach their destination the icicle palace of the Snowfather. But will they manage to have a happy ending and have their wishes come true, you will have to read to find out more! This book is a sheer delight and is a truly brilliant collaboration between Philip and Sarah. The illustrations are sublime, expressing perfectly the personalities of all our characters. It is full of humour, charm, heart and tension as we journey along with our fearless and generous duo. It is also packed full of fabulous details such as the fifty different types of snow which are an intrinsic part of a ‘True WInter’, which made it a total joy to read. I found myself so caught up in this exciting adventure that I really didn’t want it to come to an end. I really recommend that you join them on their adventures as I know you will truly have the ride of your life.

My Year 3 class have had so much fun reading Pugs of The Frozen North. We think all other children will enjoy this book. Here are a few of their reviews:This is a humorous book. It also has a lot of pictures. I love the book because it is funny and it has a lot of pictures (from Joseph).There are 66 pugs and a boy called Shen and a girl called Sika and they have a race against some other people to the top of the world. What I liked most is that you can turn snow into anything you want as well as the noodle bar with yeti! (from Daniel).It is about 66 pugs and two humans names Sika and Shen. They raced against Helga Hammerfest and Shackleton Jones. They raced to the top of the world. My favourite part was when they built their own things that they love and enjoy doing. Find out if they won! I loved the illustrations. (from Niamh).

This is the kind of book that can read aloud to your child and you both have fun and it's equally a brilliant read to be enjoyed on your own. It's brilliantly well written, has an rich vocabulary and the drawings are so full of details that makes worthwhile having a little pause to admire the pictures. Both my daughters, ages 6 and nearly 9, enjoyed reading and in fact they made me buy all the books written together by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre. And just bought one more to give as birthday present!

being a pug fan and a mama of one very bad behaved pug called Riley, I saw this promoted on facebook by a fellow pug papa, so when it was mentioned I had to have it! Yes I am over 21, and nuts about pugs, But I enjoyed this ! The Pictures that where on every page , clearly featured all of the pugs personality's with their snuffs and snores and their tenacity when fighting a foe! The tail was engaging and very touching. I know I am a sop for pugs , but if you are addicted to them this is for you. If you what a lovely entertaining and beautifully illustrated book fro that little 5 year old this is for you, I just hope that the pugs mentioned will all have another adventure soon and if so I will buy it!

My son loved this book and it was a pleasure to read it to him. There are wonderful illustrations on almost every page and the story is a wonderful tale of adventure. The story involves a race to the north pole and many different types of snow - some amusing, some scary! I've been craving yeti noodles ever since reading it!