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

MY REVIEW

Polo in Brazil by Alan J. Hesse, who also illustrates the book, is a fast-moving adventure that drops readers straight into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. A talking polar bear named Captain Polo and his loyal penguin companion set off on a mission to stop a powerful oil tycoon whose plans could put one of the world’s most important ecosystems at risk.

The deeper they travel into the jungle, the bigger the challenges become. From dangerous wildlife and hidden dangers to villains, helicopters, and unexpected allies, there is always something happening. The story balances humor with genuine stakes, making it easy to keep turning the pages to see what happens next.

Hesse’s colorful comic-style illustrations bring the Amazon to life, filling every page with energy, personality, and fascinating details about the rainforest and its wildlife.

I found this to be an entertaining and informative read that combines adventure, humor, and environmental awareness in a way that feels exciting rather than preachy. A great choice for young readers who love action-packed journeys and larger-than-life heroes. 

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

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.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

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!