Pablo and Splash: Roman holiday by Sheena Dempsey

At home in Antarctica, penguins Pablo and Splash are learning about ancient Rome from their teacher, Mr. Beluga. Splash has not really been concentrating and during an oxygen break on the surface she persuades her more sensible friend Pablo that the way to really learn would be to use Professor O’Brain’s TimeBender machine to visit ancient Rome. Splash should have listened closer to the lessons because she thinks she will be visiting the scene of the 1950’s classic movie "Roman Holiday" and instead of sunglasses and gelato she finds togas and enslavement. It seems the Emperor’s wife collects rare birds and they find themselves captured, awaiting their turn as entertainment in the Colosseum, fighting two experienced gladiators as part of a public spectacle.

This is the third graphic novel adventure for the time travelling penguins, this time combining real information about ancient Rome, like gladiators fighting in the Colosseum (and the use of a sponge on a stick for wiping bums in the public toilets) and cute penguins having exciting adventures. There are lots of puns and catchphrases and a side-trip to New Zealand, keeping the pace fast and engaging. I wasn’t really keen on the friends’ stereotypical relationship, with the fun, naughty impulsive one controlling the adventure while the sensible, more careful one solves the resulting problems, but it is a fast, fun read with colourful characters which will appeal to young readers. At the end of the book is information on the Colosseum, volcanoes and other ‘fact or fiction’ questions as well as how to draw a gladiator. It will appeal to readers of Patrick Green's Investigators series.

Themes: Graphic novel, Ancient Rome, Friends, Time travelling.

Sue Speck