The Adventure of Captain Polo: Polo in Brazil -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Alan J. Hesse to bring you this post.

Do you have a reader who loves graphic novels? Perhaps you want him/her to read more educational themed books? Today we are sharing a fun middle grade graphic novel about climate change and in particular about the Amazon Rain Forest and climate change. It is the fifth book in The Adventures of Captain Polo Series. The book is The Adventures of Captain Polo: Polo in Brazil by Alan J. Hesse. After my review is a giveaway for the whole series so far!

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

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.

From Me:

This is the fifth book in the series. At the beginning of the book is an introduction to the characters from previous books as well as a quick page summary of ongoing storylines. So, if you are like me and have not read the other four books, you will be ok! If you have, you will also just have a quick reminder of the past four books. In this book a human language talking polar bear who also walks on two legs is sailing around the world sharing concern for climate change. In one of his adventures, he gains a stowaway penguin who is trying to get home to Antarctica. Penguin, who does not talk, has become Captain Polo's sidekick. Captain Polo promised to get him home to Antarctica, so that is the adventure they are on. However, there is a pirate like captain trying to get Captain Polo's cap because it was one his grandfather's and a billionaire who does not care about the environment and doesn't want Captain Polo educating people about climate change. In this book Captain Polo and Penguin are sailing around Brazil. They see the billionaire's helicopter fly into Brazil and want to see what he is up to, so they head down the Amazon River. Along the way they discover how much climate change is affecting Brazil and in particular the Amazon Rainforest. Penguin also becomes a soccer champion for Brazil, and they have encounters with the pirate and his crew. 

This book has moments of fun yet has lessons built in it. There are footnotes to translate the Portuguese of the Brazilians and to explain some of the more scientific words and facts. At the end of the book is Captain Polo's Climate Change Classroom or glossary of all the words readers may not know. These words are in blue throughout the story. It is a perfect book for a classroom studying the Amazon Rainforest, climate change or Brazil. It is also just a fun book to read, and the bonus is learning about these topics as well. Captain Polo wants to learn as much as he can about preserving the Earth and he meets various people who know how to care for the rainforest. He meets conservationists and indigenous people from the area. It is a diverse book with so much information packed into it. I am sure the entire series could make a science unit! Kids are going to enjoy the adventures of Polo and Penguin and the bumbles of the pirate. Being a graphic novel helps even the struggling reader enjoy the book plus it helps all readers picture the area and the problems. 

This book is perfect for being read individually as well as in a pair. It has so much information it would be great for an adult to help kids break it down, but the glossary at the end does a great job at doing this for the age group. It is a great pick for summer reading to keep their brains learning! It would also be a great gift for a classroom to have as a resource on climate change and the Amazon Rainforest. I can see kids picking to read it even if they are not interested in climate change!

Giveaway:

Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win one of five paperback copies of The Adventures of Captain Polo: Polo in Brazil! One lucky grand prize winner will receive paperback copies of all five books in The Adventures of Captain Polo series. Perfect for young adventurers, graphic novel fans, and readers curious about the world around them! Good luck!!