The Adventures of Captain Polo: Polo in Brazil

This post is in partnership with Alan J. Hesse and The Children’s Book Review .

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

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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.

MY REVIEW

As a teacher, I know that it’s best to reach the children where they are. Children are generally more receptive to things they can relate to. Children have a natural love of comics and comedy. The author uses both so well to teach children about the dangers to the Amazon. Climate change is explained very well, from the view of a bear and penguin.

In this adventure, Polo the bear and Penguin are sailing through the Amazon river in pursuit of a man who plans to destroy more of the Amazon forest. The author not only teaches about the dangers of men who steal and destroy the forest, but also the dangers of the forest to man. I like the way that the author teaches about climate change in a book filled with adventure and comedy. Educating children desn’t have to always include a lecture or textbook.

TOUR SCHEDULE

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!