What in the World is a Wild Pongo?


Children - Picture Book
32 Pages
Reviewed on 07/06/2023
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Phoebe loves writing and illustrating children’s books about how things work here on planet earth. Using fun rhymes and colorful illustrations, she hopes to inspire youngsters to learn more about the many mysteries of science and nature.

Phoebe lives in the forest near the Hood Canal on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. She is a retired potter and graphic designer who enjoys kayaking, hiking, working with clay and, of course, reading, writing and drawing!

    Book Review

Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite

Phoebe Featherly pens an entertaining educational children’s book in What in the World is a Wild Pongo? Finneas McFarley has been given an assignment by his teacher to find out the species of a Pongo. He has no idea what a Pongo is, but Finneas knows he can learn a lot by reading books. So, he heads to the library on a mission of discovery. As Finneas reads about the Pongo, he learns where they live, what they eat, what color they are, how much they weigh, and even what they do for fun. As he continues to read, he finds clue after clue, until he finds the answer to the question: What in the World is a Wild Pongo?

Phoebe Featherly opens the world of research and curiosity in her children’s book, What in the World is a Wild Pongo? Featherly not only captivates her young readers with a fun and intriguing story but with alluring illustrations as well. The narrative is interesting and interactive. Featherly asks engaging questions and then drops hints and clues, involving the reader in the main character’s learning experience. It also contains humorous information that young children adore coupled with scientific data about the Pongo. Phoebe Featherly’s What in the World is a Wild Pongo encourages reading, the value of the library, and the enjoyment of discovering new things. In addition, young readers learn the important responsibility to care for the wild animals of our world and keep them from becoming endangered.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford

Do you know what a wild pongo is? I certainly didn’t know until I read Phoebe Featherly’s What in the World is a Wild Pongo? Finneas McFarley is about to find out. His teacher insists they exist and she wants him to do the research. What better place to start than at the local library? Finneas admits that “I can learn a lot more by reading” and that’s exactly what he plans to do. His research teaches him about another species of wildlife that lives far away in a jungle with lots of other wild animals. As his research narrows down, he even does a little math as he discovers that the pongo “might weigh as much as 300 pounds. That’s five of me.” There is a lot to learn in this world and Finneas obviously knows how to learn as much as he can.

Phoebe Featherly’s picture book story, What in the World is a Wild Pongo?, is both engaging and informative. Allowing Finneas to follow through with a research assignment, using the public library instead of the quagmire of the internet, the author presents a story that will have young readers fascinated with the research process. She uses question-and-answer techniques along with cognitive thinking patterns. Finneas makes an endearing character who loves to read and find answers. The language is simple to appeal to young readers and the research findings are dished out in small quantities so as not to overwhelm the reader with dry information. It’s a mystery, of sorts, a game of finding the missing pieces, the clues, and putting them together. The illustrations are bright, bold, and colorful and help bring the research project to life. This is a great story for early readers.

Pikasho Deka

Have you ever heard of the word Pongo? What do you think it is? Here's a hint, it's an animal. Still haven't figured it out yet? Stop worrying and join Finneas McFarley in What in the World is a Wild Pongo? by Phoebe Featherly to find out. Finneas is a young boy assigned by his teacher to figure out the species name for Pongo. Guided by his knowledge that the animal lives in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra, two islands in the Pacific Ocean, Finneas sets off for the library and, one by one, gathers the clues to narrow down the habitats, eating habits, and the unique features that distinguish Pongos from the other living creatures that inhabit their surroundings. By the end, Fineeas becomes adept at classifying animals based on their various distinguishing attributes.

This is the kind of book that entertains as well as educates. What in the World is a Wild Pongo? is a children's picture book that will teach young readers the ways actual scientists work to classify animals in the real world. Author Phoebe Featherly tells an engaging story narrated in an interactive writing style that encourages readers to participate as they read along until the end. The book inspires you to become inquisitive and lits a spark to flame your curiosity, creativity, and imagination. Featherly's eye-catching illustrations make for a fun and engaging reading experience. After you've finished the main story, you will find more educational information about Pongos in the wild. A must-read for kids below the age of seven.

Amy Louise Hill

What in the World is a Wild Pongo? by Phoebe Featherly is a fun and educational picture book for young children. Have you ever wondered what a wild Pongo is? Have you ever even heard of one? Well, this book will answer that curious question of yours. On the journey of discovering what a wild Pongo is, children will also learn about different animals that live in the forest with them.
This book will make the perfect read for a rainy day or as a bedtime story. So what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy and learn all about wild Pongos!

What in the World is a Wild Pongo was a fun book to read. From start to finish you are hooked on finding out what a Pongo is; I had no idea what one was! I enjoyed reading facts about them and how the author slowly built up to the reveal. The writing is flawless and flows nicely, allowing children to follow along easily. The illustrations are adorable and colorful, and will certainly catch any young reader's attention. I feel this book would be great to have in schools and/or libraries; I can imagine children sitting there reading it with a smile on their faces, enjoying every word Phoebe Featherly has written. I want to wish Phoebe all the best moving forward and hope to see more entertaining books like this one. I'm sure the book will be a hit among children and parents worldwide!

Ann Linus

What in the World is a Wild Pongo? is a question that Finneas McFarley ponders on his assignment before heading to the library. Let me give you some hints, and then you can guess. Pongos live in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, along with many other wild animals. They sleep in tree nests at night and sometimes during the day they love to nap. They are not birds, and they have long red hair. They are big, but fruit and vegetables are their primary diet, and their special delicacy is bugs. Final tip, they are called “old men of the forest.” Still cannot guess what a wild pongo is? Read this children’s book by Phoebe Featherly for more hints and the ultimate reveal.

From its title to the last page, What in the World is a Wild Pongo? is a curious and interesting read. The exposé unfolds as a series of informative hints and pictures intended to help the reader guess what a pongo is. The language employed is simple and conversational, which is ideal for children. After the great revelation of what a pongo is, Phoebe Featherly explained that the pongo is an endangered species of mammal and suggested how children could help in conserving them. I especially liked this book because it was educational. I also liked the colorful illustrations, and I was impressed with the editing. I enjoyed learning about pongos, and I recommend this short, enlightening read for children.