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Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole
There's a lot going on at the South Pole! There are slippery slopes and frozen floes and wild animals all around. But when one penguin goes looking for adventure, he doesn't see anything exciting at all going on. Could it be he's just not looking closely enough?
From the creators of the Berenstain Bears comes a storybook filled with adventure for all.
From the creators of the Berenstain Bears comes a storybook filled with adventure for all.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published August 28, 2012
About the author
Stan Berenstain
978 books715 followersStan and Jan Berenstain (often called The Berenstains) were American writers and illustrators best known for creating the children's book series the Berenstain Bears. Their son Mike Berenstain joined them as a creative team in the late 1980s.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 31, 2012
Overall, this book was a real disappointment. The illustrations are entertaining and cute, but the writing is really lacking. The rhythm and rhyme are both strained. The story behind the book's creation, however, was very interesting. After their first book The Big Honey Hunt was published in 1962, Stan and Jan Berenstain were advised by their editor Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) not to write another book featuring the bears. He told them that writing a series was a terrible idea and that there were simply too many children’s stories about bears already. The Berenstains took his advice and began work on a new book called Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole. In this story, a penguin receives a blank book and sets out to find adventures to write about in his book. He daydreams about exciting things that could happen as he walks. Through the illustrations, readers see his wish coming true, but the penguin remains oblivious to the action in the background. At the close of his day, readers see the penguin make his first journal entry, “NOTHING HAPPENED HERE TODAY.”
By the time the Berenstains finished writing Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole, word came back from the Random House sales staff that the The Big Honey Hunt was a hit. The Berenstains continued writing their famous Berenstain Bears series, and their second manuscript went into their files where it remained unpublished until now.
By the time the Berenstains finished writing Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole, word came back from the Random House sales staff that the The Big Honey Hunt was a hit. The Berenstains continued writing their famous Berenstain Bears series, and their second manuscript went into their files where it remained unpublished until now.
August 2, 2017
I found it kind of irritating. A penguin wreaks havoc through his obliviousness, while being bothered that nothing is happening. As it is not meant to be realistic, I guess I shouldn't be bothered by polar bears at the South Pole, but I am.
It was interesting that the rhyme scheme and some elements were much more reminiscent of Dr. Seuss than a typical Berenstain book.
It was interesting that the rhyme scheme and some elements were much more reminiscent of Dr. Seuss than a typical Berenstain book.
October 20, 2018
This was a funny little book. The kids did point out emphatically that there are NOT Arctic wolves, polar bears, or walruses in Antarctica. :-D
September 27, 2012
Obliviou penguin narrowly escapes several close encounters with mortality.
April 25, 2024
This is a fun book to read out loud especially in the spring since it is a winter book!
September 11, 2012
It was okay, but it felt like it was trying to hard to be Dr. Seuss.
August 14, 2015
I actually could read this more than once. Delightful read aloud.
January 2, 2019
I am not a big Berenstain Bear fan, but I really enjoyed this book. I liked the rhyming and the beat reminding me of Dr Suess. I think an early reader would enjoy the penguin who roams around looking for adventure oblivious to the danger that surrounds him which would make for some exciting stories in his new notebook.
July 22, 2017
I felt like I had to finish the lesson the book started. Good premise but the book itself did not deliver.
January 22, 2018
Penguin gets a new journal book to write in, and almost has adventures all day, but doesn't even realize it. But the observant reader will.
January 15, 2019
Novelist: Pre-Kindergarten - 2
Amazon: 4 - 8 years
The rhyming scheme felt off
Amazon: 4 - 8 years
The rhyming scheme felt off
January 26, 2019
A really goofy story about the not so eventful like in the South Pole.
January 9, 2020
When penguin gets a new book to write in he goes out looking for adventures. There are plenty adventures happening around him but he just can't see them.
December 6, 2021
This was fine. I'm sure the kiddos would enjoy it, which is what's important.
June 4, 2024
This book reads like a cross between the Berenstain Bears and Dr. Suess. Entertaining enough to use in story time, but nothing special.
October 15, 2025
I liked reading this book, it was humorous that reminds readers to appreciate the excitement and wonder hidden in everyday moments
June 23, 2026
*3.25
February 3, 2017
A simple, cute story that will have kids laughing.
July 11, 2021
Read the review on my blog: Tim's Book Reviews
Premise: A literate penguin receives a journal in the mail and goes out to find adventure. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to see anything of note to write in the journal. He strolls around the South Pole, even heading underwater, but he is oblivious to the exciting things happening around him, most of which put him in great peril. When he arrives home, he writes the only thing that comes to mind with the hopes that tomorrow will bring about the action he is seeking.
Themes: Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole is an adventure story, with the penguin protagonist searching everywhere for excitement only to be completely unaware of the very thing he is seeking. He is supposed to write down the things that happen in his journal, repeating the process the next day wherever he goes. It can teach someone to seek adventure but also to keep their eyes open when they do so.
This book also has a theme especially for writers to write regularly and to get in the habit of doing so even if nothing exciting happens or if they don’t really feel like it. The act of writing does not necessarily mean it will always be thrilling and it will more often than not be hard work.
Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole also encourages people not to give up if you fail at it the first time.
Pros: One of the things I noticed in Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole is that it has a good message for writers, that even though the penguin did not see anything he still made the effort to write something down. It encourages writers to write even when inspiration is lacking. I also noticed that even if nothing happens, the penguin is still ready to go out the next day to go in search of something interesting, and to keep up with the routine of writing daily. The story is somewhat whimsical and circular, with a drawing at the end of the penguin’s entire journey that I thought was fun. I like that it encourages people to try something again even after failure.
Cons: The adventure seeking plot is pretty basic, but how it gets there didn’t make much sense to me. I am all for random people sending me journals and notebooks (preferably Moleskine), but we know nothing about where the journal comes from. It isn’t addressed personally to the penguin, but instead To: A Reader. This doesn’t matter much since we get no names for any characters. The art seems a little dated and rough, which makes sense since this was written right after the Berenstains’ first book. It was then shelved after the Berenstain Bears series took off. Even more of a con than the rough art, however, is the perilous and violent thread throughout the book. Not only is everything trying to kill the penguin, but the penguin even talks about punching something in the eye.
Recommendations: Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole is a fun quick romp through a snowy landscape filled with peril. It encourages creativity and perseverance. I would consider the violence when reading this to a child, perhaps even waiting until they are a little older: maybe first or second grade, at which point they should be able to read it for themselves anyway. Even though the art is a little rough, it is still nice and clear and playful. This is a must have for any Berenstain Bears collectors and a not a bad choice for children to teach them some good life lessons.
Premise: A literate penguin receives a journal in the mail and goes out to find adventure. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to see anything of note to write in the journal. He strolls around the South Pole, even heading underwater, but he is oblivious to the exciting things happening around him, most of which put him in great peril. When he arrives home, he writes the only thing that comes to mind with the hopes that tomorrow will bring about the action he is seeking.
Themes: Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole is an adventure story, with the penguin protagonist searching everywhere for excitement only to be completely unaware of the very thing he is seeking. He is supposed to write down the things that happen in his journal, repeating the process the next day wherever he goes. It can teach someone to seek adventure but also to keep their eyes open when they do so.
This book also has a theme especially for writers to write regularly and to get in the habit of doing so even if nothing exciting happens or if they don’t really feel like it. The act of writing does not necessarily mean it will always be thrilling and it will more often than not be hard work.
Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole also encourages people not to give up if you fail at it the first time.
Pros: One of the things I noticed in Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole is that it has a good message for writers, that even though the penguin did not see anything he still made the effort to write something down. It encourages writers to write even when inspiration is lacking. I also noticed that even if nothing happens, the penguin is still ready to go out the next day to go in search of something interesting, and to keep up with the routine of writing daily. The story is somewhat whimsical and circular, with a drawing at the end of the penguin’s entire journey that I thought was fun. I like that it encourages people to try something again even after failure.
Cons: The adventure seeking plot is pretty basic, but how it gets there didn’t make much sense to me. I am all for random people sending me journals and notebooks (preferably Moleskine), but we know nothing about where the journal comes from. It isn’t addressed personally to the penguin, but instead To: A Reader. This doesn’t matter much since we get no names for any characters. The art seems a little dated and rough, which makes sense since this was written right after the Berenstains’ first book. It was then shelved after the Berenstain Bears series took off. Even more of a con than the rough art, however, is the perilous and violent thread throughout the book. Not only is everything trying to kill the penguin, but the penguin even talks about punching something in the eye.
Recommendations: Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole is a fun quick romp through a snowy landscape filled with peril. It encourages creativity and perseverance. I would consider the violence when reading this to a child, perhaps even waiting until they are a little older: maybe first or second grade, at which point they should be able to read it for themselves anyway. Even though the art is a little rough, it is still nice and clear and playful. This is a must have for any Berenstain Bears collectors and a not a bad choice for children to teach them some good life lessons.
November 2, 2012
The Berenstain Bears have been a part of my literary life for as long as I can remember. From my childhood they were definitely a favorite that I still love today to share with my own daughters. Discovering other characters from the authors/illustrators that I have forever enjoyed so much is wonderful. Apparently this book was written early in their career, but then the Berenstain Bears took over. I'm delighted that the cute penguin of the south pole is able to come out and play! -- This is a fun story where it might be his imagination or might be the happenings in reality, but the imagery tells it all. it reminds me of the classic Dr. Seuss early readers that are full of fun in wit and rhyme. (I wrote a whole review, that has now disappeared...) Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole is a great story for encouraging a young writer to journal about their days and get thoughts onto paper. Great for winter or any time of the year I think this one will be a classroom or any time favorite.
*Thanks to HarperCollins for providing an ARC for review.*
scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
*Thanks to HarperCollins for providing an ARC for review.*
scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
September 30, 2012
I loved, loved, loved this book. For some reason this book made me laugh. It is a cute story about a penguin who decides to write in a journal about what happens in the South Pole. The penguin goes off so he can find something to write in his journal. While he is walking (or hopping or swimming) through the south pole he is oblivious to what he has caused. For instance, he walks up a hill and made a giant snowball but that wasn't interesting enough, what he doesn't see is the snowball that got bigger and bigger as it rolled down the hill and the aftermath that it caused.
I would read this to any grade up to 4th grade. The kids would need to be old enough to be able to look at the pictures and comprehend what went on as the penguin continued on his journey.
I would incorporate this into a lesson about how not everything may be as it seems and to stop and look around. To pay attention to what is going on around you.
Berenstain, Stan, and Jan Berenstain. Nothing ever happens at the South Pole. New York, NY: Harper, 2012. Print.
I would read this to any grade up to 4th grade. The kids would need to be old enough to be able to look at the pictures and comprehend what went on as the penguin continued on his journey.
I would incorporate this into a lesson about how not everything may be as it seems and to stop and look around. To pay attention to what is going on around you.
Berenstain, Stan, and Jan Berenstain. Nothing ever happens at the South Pole. New York, NY: Harper, 2012. Print.
July 27, 2012
Cute rhyming book about a penguin who goes exploring the South Pole looking for something exciting to write about in a new blank book he receives in the mail. On the cover of the book it says, "WRITE IN ME! Something happens everyday. Write it down right away." Penguins problem is he can't find anything exciting enough to write about.
This is one of those stories where the main character is too oblivious to see what is going on around them and misses all the exciting action. Even though penguin passes many exciting and dangerous situations he is too busy thinking about what he should write instead of observing what is around him.
This is one of those stories where the main character is too oblivious to see what is going on around them and misses all the exciting action. Even though penguin passes many exciting and dangerous situations he is too busy thinking about what he should write instead of observing what is around him.
February 24, 2013
I was a bit curious to see a penguin story from the Berenstains, I liked the premise, the pictures are alright and my 4 year old found it really funny. The rhyming is pretty awful however, quite a bit worse than some of the stiff, repetitive rhyming of for instance The Big Honey Hunt.
March 26, 2013
"Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole" was a cute book. A penguin received a new notebook in the mail and wanted to write in it for the first time. He looked outside and thought there was nothing happening that he could write about, he decided that he should explore farther. He still found nothing exciting to write about, but what he didn't know was that after he moved on to a new spot things were happening. He was just missing it. I would recommend this book to anyone from elementary school and above, because it is a cute book.
July 31, 2016
I had higher expectations for this book, but it was sorely lacking. well the pictures were great the story fell a little flat and the rhyming if you can call it rhyming, was very repetitive and unimaginative. the penguin is a nuisance and completely oblivious to his surroundings wreaking havoc on his fellow animal neighbors and had no idea that he was doing it. He's lucky he isn't smothered in his sleep.
September 14, 2012
It was short enough for a bed time story or read aloud. The book is silly and could be used for entertainment or to show kids that they shouldn't be so oblivious to everything that happens in their daily lives. There can also be discussion about whether the things happened to the penguin or if it was the penguin's imagination.
September 21, 2012
Age: Preschool - 1st grade
Oh boy oh boy, Penguin receives an empty book in the mail and he cannot wait to start writing. He is so fixated on trying to find the most suspenseful, dangerous, greatest thing to write about that he doesn't notice all the great things that he's causing to happen.
I love when books allow the reader into a secret that the main character doesn't know about.
Oh boy oh boy, Penguin receives an empty book in the mail and he cannot wait to start writing. He is so fixated on trying to find the most suspenseful, dangerous, greatest thing to write about that he doesn't notice all the great things that he's causing to happen.
I love when books allow the reader into a secret that the main character doesn't know about.
October 12, 2015
My six year old son likes penguins and the Berenstain bears (the early reader kind, not the moral kind) so I tried him out on this one. He giggled and enjoyed it. I admit that I noticed the points where the rhyme and rhythm were not up to the standards of other Berenstain early readers but still it was a good fun read. Pair it with "To think that it happened on Mulberry Street."
November 29, 2014
I love the story of the little penguin who is blind to what is really happening around him and who doesn't trust his own story writing ability in the first place. And I'm so happy that Jan and her son, Mike Berenstain found it before it was too late and offered it to a new generation of Berenstain fans.
September 17, 2012
Nothing ever happens at the South Pole unless you know where to look and penguin is not very good at looking over his shoulder! Good thing for us because we get to see all the funny things that happen when penguin takes a walk looking for adventure!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews