ABOUT THE BOOK
The Adventures of Captain Polo: Polo in Brazil
Written and Illustrated by Alan J. Hesse
Ages: 8–13 | 61 Pages
Publisher: Alan J. Hesse (2025) | ISBN: 978-9942489579
Publisher’s Book Summary: Adventure. Comedy. Climate change. A race across Brazil that could change everything. When Captain Polo, the world’s most determined polar bear, continues his journey south from the open-ended mid-Atlantic finale of Pole to Pole, Antarctica finally seems within reach—until ruthless oil tycoon Tex Greedyman sets a dangerous plan in motion to exploit the Amazon. Polo and his ever-practical sidekick Penguin are pulled into a race against destruction that sweeps them across one of the most dynamic countries on Earth—from shark-filled waters and electric-eel rivers to burning forests and vast southern ranchlands. Blending humor, high-stakes adventure, and real environmental science, Polo in Brazil brings big global challenges—deforestation, fossil fuels, Indigenous rights, and climate action—to life in a vivid, page-turning story.
Themes: Climate change & the environment • Deforestation & the Amazon • Indigenous rights • Fossil fuels & clean energy • Geography of Brazil • Conservation & climate action
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
MY REVIEW
Polo has promised his friend Penguin that he will return him to the Antarctic, so they set out sailing south. As they travel along the coast of South America they discover many fascinating things about the country of Brazil - including coastal mangroves, bull sharks, and groups that are helping provide electricity to the favelas of Rio de Janeiro with solar panels. Readers can learn about agribusiness, logging, industrialized cattle ranching, and other practices that threaten the Amazon basin. But there is also plenty of action as Polo tries to stop the plans of Tex Greedyman (a wealthy oil tycoon), the bumbling Conor O’ Connor who is determined to steal Polo’s hat, and all the other bad guys they met along the way. A few of them even try to capture Polo and Penguin to sell them to a zoo!
The story has several layers to it. There are the regional details about the areas they visit, the sometimes slapstick comedy of O’Connor and Greedyman, not to mention the hijinks of Penguin (may I just mention a jetpack, numchucks, and a soccer tournament?), plus all the environmental education components. This is definitely a book for confident middle grade readers who are familiar with graphic novels and enjoy a blend of action adventure, comedy, and climate change awareness. Back matter includes a glossary of terms, a list of Top 10 Climate Actions that readers can do to become a climate hero, and information about the author’s website where more resources can be found.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alan J. Hesse is an award-winning author-illustrator who merges professional expertise in nature conservation with storytelling and artistic skills. Alan’s 30-year career in conservation and status as a UN Champion for Climate Education gives him a unique edge as an author of children’s books with an environmental focus that is both engaging and educational. He is the author of 11 children’s books, most of them graphic novels, that have been compared to the legendary Tintin collection.
To learn more, visit captainpoloacademy.com.
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This post is sponsored by Alan J. Hesse in partnership with The Children's Book Review. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
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