Wayne D. Kramer’s PENNY PANGOLIN AND THE TERMITE TROPHY offers a fresh take on what it really means to be a good sport. In this engaging entry to Kramer’s ongoing Penny Pangolin series, Penny and her best friend Vin are finally old enough to enter their village’s annual Big Claw Tournament. With the help of their neighbor Edith, the trio teams up and enters a contest featuring volleyball, tunnel digging, and a climactic Gravity Car Race. When another team cheats during the final event, Penny must make the tough choice between staying silent or standing up for what’s right. Her choice doesn’t just affect the outcome of the race; it underscores what it means to be a good friend, teammate, and leader.
At its heart, PENNY PANGOLIN AND THE TERMITE TROPHY is a story about integrity, honoring commitments, and problem-solving. The book explores these timeless sportsmanship lessons in a way that never feels heavy-handed. In fact, the idea of whether or not to stay silent or speak up is something that virtually every school-age reader will relate to. And when Penny declares, “We’ll start again right here and race down together, fair and square,” the takeaway couldn’t be any clearer.
There’s a lot to like here. The premise involving a team of underdog critters combining their unique strengths toward a shared goal is a fresh spin on a familiar theme. Penny, Vin, and Edith each bring their own quirks to the table, making for a fun and believable trio. The bold, vibrant illustrations by Jade Zivanovic effectively convey the action-packed narrative, and the bonus materials at the end (“What Is a Pangolin?,” “Critter Superpowers,” and even a “Critter Compendium”) are both fun and educational.
Despite its many strengths, the book contains a few things that might momentarily trip up young, observant readers. The font occasionally blends into busier backgrounds, and some of the tournament details feel a bit fuzzy. For instance, the play-by-play can be a bit hard to follow, and the scoring system is never fully explained. Still, readers will get the general idea; and the unique characters, emotional clarity, and satisfying resolution make this a story worth revisiting.
With PENNY PANGOLIN AND THE TERMITE TROPHY, Wayne D. Kramer offers a delightful story that will likely serve as a child’s first introduction to the mighty pangolin, as well as a heartwarming reminder that doing the right thing often matters more than winning.
~ James Weiskittel for IndieReader