How the Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior - 4 stars

[Ellen]

85-year-old Veronica McCreedy is the epitome of the 'stiff upper lip'. She has had a difficult life and now, quite wealthy due to a long-ago divorce, lives a solitary life on the west coast of Scotland. Her only companion is her housekeeper Eileen who, even after many years in her employ, knows very little about Veronica. Decades ago Veronica gave birth to a boy who was adopted at only a few months old. Although she knows her son passed away several years ago she is curious to know if he had any children. With Eileen's help on the computer, Veronica finds that she has an adult grandson named Patrick. Determined to meet what is left of her family, Veronica travels to meet Patrick. She was not impressed....at all. He was dirty, smoking weed and living in a tiny, unkempt apartment. For Patrick, this whole 'granny' thing came out of the blue and he can't seem to wrap his head around it.

Veronica has always been an avid watcher of nature shows on tv. Her favorites have been about penguins and on a whim she decides she will travel to Antarctica to stay with the scientists at the penguin research center. Although they discourage her visit, Veronica will not be dissuaded. She arrives at the center and is greeted by Terry, Dietrich and Mike; all three believe this will be a disaster. Veronica adapts fairly readily to the spartan conditions and is overwhelmed with love for the penguin colony. When she spots and abandoned young chick she insists that the penguin be taken to the center to help it survive. Initially the scientists disagree with Veronica, but soon they come to enjoy the penguin's company. A surprise visitor shows up at the center; none other than grandson Patrick. He has no family except 'Granny V' and is determined to have a relationship with her. After so many years of being alone, Veronica finds that the helpless penguin chick and a new family member might just be exactly what she needs.

This is a charming story and one that I enjoyed quite a bit. Veronica might not be the most loveable of characters but she certainly has grit and determination. The bits of penguin information are interesting and the underlying message of protecting the environment are well done.