What’s a penguin to do living at the South Pole, all dressed up and with no place to go? What good is that natty tuxedo if there’s no occasion to wear it? Well, these are no dumb penguins. They invite, for their amusement, the Opera Ship from Old Vienna, and who are its illustrious passengers? Well, (you guessed it) none other than the three tenors, performing that south Pole favorite to boot, La Traviata, starring José Carreras as Alfredo, Placido Domingo as the disapproving father, and Luciano Pavarotti playing the role of the sweet and tender Violetta. Some lucky penguins!
This is (honestly) a remarkable book. The story is written entirely in rhymed couplets, and who can resist verses that run:
All penguins, as I said, wear tails
(or evening dress), not just the males.
You’re puzzled by this craze for fashion
And ask the reason for their passion;
Why do they love to be such smarties?
Is it because they like posh parties?
The artwork is detailed and droll, perfectly catching the whimsical spirit of the text. Opera lovers, penguin lovers, or just plain lovers, will all fall for this bijou from the frozen Pole.