Brave enough to steal a walrus’ tusk, Neville’s a born risk taker who earns the admiration of his friends. Shockingly, he’s engulfed by a killer whale one day. Trapped inside the creature’s mouth, Neville meets Reg the seal. Though the pair seem doomed to the digestive tract, Neville realizes a very important fact: “We are not eaten yet.” Despite Reg’s discouraging words, Neville persists—he checks each tooth to see if any are loose, and when he finds himself unable to reach the whale’s blowhole, he builds a tower out of furniture. Both Neville and Reg have compelling personalities, developed over just a few pages, with cautious Reg serving as a deft foil to daring Neville. Avery’s dramatic illustrations use color to great effect, with the penguins’ stark black-and-white world standing in sharp contrast with the vibrant depictions of the whale’s mouth, suffused by deep magenta. There’s plenty to giggle over, too, from the slyly funny narration to visual gags galore (for instance, Neville turning the whale’s mouth into a cozy home complete with rocking chair, lamp, and rug). Neville’s and Reg’s large, expressive eyes telegraph their every thought. Fans of Avery’s earlier book will be delighted to see Neville back and more resolute than ever, his tenacity a model for times when it’s imperative to persist.