Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
Ever the pessimist, Eugene is sure he will get only a sunburn when he wins a cruise to Bermuda. His sarcastic comment, “Terrific,” is his constant refrain as one calamity after another follows him on the voyage. The ship sinks; everyone but Eugene is rescued. He fears being eaten alive by sharks; when he washes up on a small island he expects cannibals. Instead there is only a parrot. Eugene’s “Terrific” here is followed by “What good is a parrot?” He soon finds out. For despite Eugene’s continuous skeptical sarcasm, the parrot designs a boat which they build together. They are picked up by a fishing trawler which takes them to--guess where--Bermuda! There, with his new friend, Eugene finally says, “Terrific!” and means it. Bold, simple-colored drawings tell the visual tale in large scenes and vignettes with just enough detail to make the amusing fantasy convincing. Eugene’s brown button eyes, tweedy hat, and slouch create a sympathetic anti-hero, while Lenny the parrot is the very model of a shrewd philosopher. Their final double portrait, in contrast to that on the jacket/cover, guarantees a happy ending. 2005, Michael di Capua Books/ Hyperion, $15.95. Ages 4 to 8.

CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2006)
Not your typical picture book hero, middle-aged Eugene has a pessimistic spin for every event and always comes up with the same grumpy observation. He wins an all-expenses-paid trip to Bermuda. “ ‘Terrific,’ he said. ‘I’ll probably get a really nasty sunburn.’ ” His cruise boat sinks and he’s stranded on a desert island, with pomegranates the only food around. “ ‘Terrific,’ said Eugene. ‘I hate pomegranates!’ ” Even the appearance of an ingenious talking parrot named Lenny, who diagrams and directs construction of an escape boat, doesn’t create much of a reaction in Eugene. The two set sail, and after hours of floating in the hot sun (“ ‘Terrific,’ said Eugene. ‘We’re going to die of thirst.’ ”) they run (literally) into a fishing trawler. It’s only when the trawler captain questions Lenny’s intelligence that Eugene is stirred to defend his companion. And when it appears that his avian comrade has left on a departing ship, Eugene fears that he’s lost a true friend. However, all ends well for the duo, and Eugene’s motto is transformed in tone from disparaging to joyful. As an added bonus, all those “terrifics” make this an automatic audience-participation read aloud. CCBC Category: Picture Books for School-Aged Children. 2005, Michael di Capua Books / Hyperion, 32 pages, $15.95. Ages 4-7.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2005 (Vol. 73, No. 15))
Plainly channeling Jack Benny, middle-aged Eugene responds glumly to various reversals of fortune-after winning a cruise to Bermuda: "Terrific. I'll probably get a really nasty sunburn"-until a shipwreck ("Terrific. I'll probably get devoured by sharks") strands him on a tiny island ("Terrific. Now I'll get eaten by cannibals"). There he meets a parrot who knows something about both boatbuilding and friendship. Cast as a scowling curmudgeon with thinning hair and conservative taste in dress, Eugene looks the part too-at least until the end, when a reunion with his beaked buddy draws both a smile and a "Terrific!" delivered with a radically different inflection. Fans of James Stevenson's tales of the "Worst Person in the World" will find a kindred sort here and are sure to add the adjective to their vocabularies. 2005, Hyperion, 32p, $15.95. Category: Picture book. Ages 6 to 8. © 2005 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Kathleen Harrity (Library Media Connection, February 2006)
Eugene has won a cruise to Bermuda. This is where his good luck ends and his cynical personality takes over. As the cruise begins, he says, "Terrific, I'll probably get a really nasty sunburn." Instead of getting the sunburn, the ship sinks and everyone but Eugene is rescued. He finds himself stranded on an island with only a parrot for company. Lenny, the parrot, takes charge and draws up the plans for building a boat and planning their escape from the island. As the story proceeds, Eugene's answer to everything is a sarcastic "Terrific." When he reaches his final destination of Bermuda and discovers that the parrot is still with him, his tone changes and the story ends with a very positive "Terrific!" The wonderful illustrations cleverly depict Eugene's pessimistic personality. The change in his facial expression from the first page to the last is quite dramatic and an optimistic Eugene emerges with Lenny on his shoulder. This is a great story about friendship. Recommended. 2005, Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Publishing Worldwide, 32pp., $15.95 hc. Ages 5 to 11.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2006)
In this deadpan story, glass-half-empty Eugene wins a cruise ("Terrific.... I'll probably get a really nasty sunburn), but his ship goes down in a storm. He washes up on a desert island ("Now I'll get eaten by cannibals") where he meets Lenny, a parrot with a broken wing and a can-do attitude. Agee's large-size illustrations command attention and enhance the understated humor. Category: Picture Books. 2005, Hyperion/di Capua, 32pp, 15.95. Ages 4 to 9. Rating: 1: Outstanding, noteworthy in style, content, and/or illustration.

Emily Gonda (The Kutztown University Book Review, Spring 2006)
Eugene is a negative man. He is so negative that when he wins an all expenses paid trip to Bermuda, all he can think is that he will get sunburned. Well, soon Eugene has a real reason to be negative. His boat sinks and he becomes stranded on an island with a parrot. Will Eugene be stranded forever or will his luck change? This is a witty and funny book that is good for old and young readers alike. There is sarcasm and humor that will get anyone laughing. This is a good book for pleasure reading. Category: Picture Book. 2005, Hyperion Books, $15.95. Ages 5 to 9.