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5th out of 72 books
—
77 voters
Penny and Her Song (Mouse Books)
by
Kevin Henkes
Strike up the band! Ready the confetti! Meet Penny--a brand-new mouse from Caldecott Medalist Henkes. Penny joins the beloved Lilly, Owen, Chrysanthemum, and Wemberly with her very own new picture book series. Full color.
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
February 28th 2012
by Greenwillow Books
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Jun 18, 2012
babyhippoface
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
kids-beginning-readers,
kids-picture-books
Penny wants someone to listen to her song, but her parents keep telling her she'll "wake the babies". She is hurt and put-off just like any child would be, but her loving parents give her all the attention she needs as soon as those babies are awake. They even join in the fun, with happy results.
I was disappointed in this one, but for reasons that are admittedly unfair. I have to keep reminding myself that this is not a typical Kevin Henkes picture boook. Julius, the Baby of the World, Chrysanth...more
I was disappointed in this one, but for reasons that are admittedly unfair. I have to keep reminding myself that this is not a typical Kevin Henkes picture boook. Julius, the Baby of the World, Chrysanth...more
Penny and Her Song (Mouse Books) by Kevin Henkes is the story of a small mouse who makes up a special song that she must wait to share with her family.
Henkes' illustrations were made with watercolor paints and a black pen.
My favorite images are cover, faces in the mirror, Penny's song spread, beautiful & wonderful, Mama & Papa sang, show spread, asleep in basket, everyone kissed, and last picture.
This is the first beginning reader by Henkes. I miss the creative vocabulary and humor of mo...more
Henkes' illustrations were made with watercolor paints and a black pen.
My favorite images are cover, faces in the mirror, Penny's song spread, beautiful & wonderful, Mama & Papa sang, show spread, asleep in basket, everyone kissed, and last picture.
This is the first beginning reader by Henkes. I miss the creative vocabulary and humor of mo...more
Richie’s Picks: PENNY AND HER SONG by Kevin Henkes, Greenwillow, February 2012, 32p., ISBN: 978-0-06-208195-7
“I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style
And so I came to see him and listen for a while”
-- Fox/Gimbel, “Killing Me Softly”
“Living in today’s complex world of the future is a little like having bees live in your head. But there they are.”
-- The Firesign Theater, “We're All Bozos on this Bus”
How often do you find yourself with a song in your head? How often do you let one of the...more
“I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style
And so I came to see him and listen for a while”
-- Fox/Gimbel, “Killing Me Softly”
“Living in today’s complex world of the future is a little like having bees live in your head. But there they are.”
-- The Firesign Theater, “We're All Bozos on this Bus”
How often do you find yourself with a song in your head? How often do you let one of the...more
I don't love, love, love every book Kevin Henkes writes. Some of his books aren't quite up to what I expect from him. But Penny and Her Song, for me, is one of his best! (Perhaps just needing some time before becoming as beloved as his classic picture books, Chrysanthemum and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Owen.)
It begins
Penny came home from school with a song.
"Listen, Mama," said Penny. "It's my very own song."
Penny started to sing,
"One is nice--"
"Your song is beautiful, said Mama, "but you...more
It begins
Penny came home from school with a song.
"Listen, Mama," said Penny. "It's my very own song."
Penny started to sing,
"One is nice--"
"Your song is beautiful, said Mama, "but you...more
In this book, Henkes introduces us to a new character, a character just as interesting and unique as Owen or Lily, a character who loves to sing. Penny arrives home from school wanting to sing her song for her family. After both mom and dad interrupt her performance to remind her that the babies are sleeping and she needs to be quiet, Penny determines to sing her song for herself. But she discovers that singing to herself is just not the same as singing for someone else. She searches her room fo...more
Feb 27, 2012
Clay
marked it as to-read
Penny and Her Song
by Kevin Henkes
Shelf-Awareness starred review, Jennifer Brown:
"Kevin Henkes introduces a new mouse character named Penny for a spot-on beginning reader series.
Penny comes home from school with a song she can't wait to share. But she gets only as far as the first phrase before her mother asks her to wait until her baby twin siblings wake up. After two phrases, Papa, too, asks Penny to keep the peace. So she sings to herself in the mirror and plays with her glass animals. "She al...more
by Kevin Henkes
Shelf-Awareness starred review, Jennifer Brown:
"Kevin Henkes introduces a new mouse character named Penny for a spot-on beginning reader series.
Penny comes home from school with a song she can't wait to share. But she gets only as far as the first phrase before her mother asks her to wait until her baby twin siblings wake up. After two phrases, Papa, too, asks Penny to keep the peace. So she sings to herself in the mirror and plays with her glass animals. "She al...more
When I went to see Kevin Henkes speak on his tour to promote Penny and Her Song in 2012, he told us the decision to have chapters in the book was a purposefully considered one. Penny and Her Song really isn't long enough to require chapter divisions, and he acknowledged that; however, he told us one of the things that stood out to him most about when his own son learned to read was the sense of accomplishment his son derived from the first time he ever read a book with chapters. Penny and Her S...more
Penny comes home from school one day with a smile on her face. She has made up her very own song, and can't wait to share it with her family. But Mama and Papa tell her she mustn't wake up the babies. So Penny goes to her room and sings to herself in the mirror - but she really just wants someone to listen to her. At dinner, Penny tries to sing again, but her parents ask her to wait until after everyone eats. Finally, Penny sings her special song for the whole family. Her parents adore the song,...more
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Kevin Henkes has already mastered picture books (Caldecott winner Kitten's First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum) and middle-grade novels (Olive's Ocean, Junonia), but Penny and Her Song is his first easy reader. Henkes employs his usual adorable, buoyant animals, and his trademark illustration style to tell this story about Penny, a little mouse with a song to sing. Penny has made up a song, but when she tries to sing it to her mother and father, they ask her not to sing it, because her baby siblings...more
Henkes successfully enters the world of early readers in this gentle story of Penny's attempt to divert her parents' attention from the babies to her. Penny's created a song and she is desperate to sing it for them, only to be told several times "Not now." Singing to her mirror or to her glass animals just doesn't do it for her. She tries again at dinner, but of course there's no singing at the table! Her parents help her find the right time to perform; and, after hearing her song, they join in...more
This book is the first one Kevin Henkes has written for beginning readers. Penny arrives home from school with a song in her head that she can’t wait to share, but her baby sister and brother are sleeping and she has to wait. By the time she gets to sing, it is worth it! Her parents learn the song and the babies, as best as they can. (Preschool-Grade 2)
Curriculum Connection: It is a good reminder that sometimes fun, family events don’t need to be planned; they can happen in the spur of the momen...more
Curriculum Connection: It is a good reminder that sometimes fun, family events don’t need to be planned; they can happen in the spur of the momen...more
http://www.owltellyouaboutit.com/posts/penny-and-her-song/
I was definitely expecting more. It’s hard to tell sometimes what you’re going to get with childrens’ picture books. Sometimes they’re just a level below what I enjoy. I think this book is one of those.
Basically, Penny wants to sing a song, but everyone is so busy that they won’t listen to her. When she finally gets to sing they all love it so she sings again. That’s pretty much the book. I was hoping for more of a story than that, so I w...more
I was definitely expecting more. It’s hard to tell sometimes what you’re going to get with childrens’ picture books. Sometimes they’re just a level below what I enjoy. I think this book is one of those.
Basically, Penny wants to sing a song, but everyone is so busy that they won’t listen to her. When she finally gets to sing they all love it so she sings again. That’s pretty much the book. I was hoping for more of a story than that, so I w...more
This is a story about Penny who wants to sing her song for someone. She can't read it to her parents because they are worried that she will wake up the babies. When she tries to sing it to herself and her glass dolls, she doesn't feel satisfied. Eventually she gets the chance to sing it to her parents and the babies. Her parents were pleased to discover that the song helped put the babies and Penny to sleep.
This was a cute story and one that would be suitable for very young readers who are just...more
This was a cute story and one that would be suitable for very young readers who are just...more
Very cute story for young children. Little girls will love Kevin Henkes' illustrations and will connect to young Penny and her desire to sing a song that she came up with! Kids will understand when Penny is frustrated because it's not the right time to sing, or because her little siblings are still asleep. And they will be happy for Penny when she is so thrilled everyone loves her song and they all sing along.
Kevin Henkes delivers another cute story that will delight the younger siblings who ha...more
Kevin Henkes delivers another cute story that will delight the younger siblings who ha...more
What: This book is about a little mouse named Penny. She came up with her own song and really wanted somebody to hear her sing. The babies are sleeping in the house so she is unable to sing to her parents. She tries to do all sorts of other things but can't find a way to sing her song to someone. Finally, when the babies are awake, and they finish dinner, she is able to sing her song to her family. They have a good time playing around with it and then go to bed.
So What: Poetry is an important pa...more
So What: Poetry is an important pa...more
Another installment in the Penny and Her ____ series. The approach to validating a child, even though it may be delayed, was okay. The overall feeling I had after reading it was "Why did this get to be a published book?" Henkes has a good racket going with his mice, and he's obviously trying to fill a niche in the Early Reader market.
Henkes' mice remind me a little of the earlier Rosemary Wells, back when she did the original 1976 version of Noisy Nora (I disagree with her--it didn't need to be...more
Henkes' mice remind me a little of the earlier Rosemary Wells, back when she did the original 1976 version of Noisy Nora (I disagree with her--it didn't need to be...more
Aug 18, 2012
The Library Lady
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
beginning_readers
I was lucky enough to be at the Public Library Association conference in Philadelphia where Kevin Henkes read this out loud to the audience, and knew it was a winner.
I was even more pleased to have him read out loud my favorite all time Henkes passage--the sequence in Julius the Baby of the World where Lily reads what she has written about Julius. That has more bite than this book, where Penny is a gentler soul, and any feelings of hostility towards her new siblings are pretty muted. But this is...more
I was even more pleased to have him read out loud my favorite all time Henkes passage--the sequence in Julius the Baby of the World where Lily reads what she has written about Julius. That has more bite than this book, where Penny is a gentler soul, and any feelings of hostility towards her new siblings are pretty muted. But this is...more
Penny and her song by Kevin Henkes is a story about a little mouse named Penny who learns a really cool song. She wants to sing it for her family, but her baby siblings are always sleeping or it's time to eat. When Penny finally gets to perform her song for her family, they all join in, and they all become very tired. Penny's song helped her family et ready for bed, and Penny woke up the next morning with the beautiful sun in the sky and a song in her head. This story is intended for preK-3rd gr...more
Penny wants to sing her song to the family, but no one will listen. Lots of repeating words to help readers learn, and short chapters divide up this simple story. Kevin Henkes provides his charming mouse illustrations to yet another book, which hopefully will distract from the dull storyline. I especially liked when Penny was making faces in the mirror! However, the characters didn't stand out, the conflict didn't seem like much, and hopefully Henkes next foray into early readers has more depth....more
The story reminded me immediately of Noisy Nora, but without the condescending older sister, and with a much less dramatic resolution. Penny is never brushed aside and ignored like Nora; rather, she waits patiently, and is ultimately rewarded with lots of positive attention from her parents for her creativity. The book is less a sibling rivalry story, and more of a celebration of joy, togetherness, and sharing simple moments with one’s family.
Read my full review on my story time blog: http://st...more
Read my full review on my story time blog: http://st...more
Yay! A stand-alone reader by a master of the craft!
Penny is your average attention-seeking older child. When she comes home from school looking to share a new song, she craves the audience of her parents. It takes awhile for the family to find the right moment, but when they do it is a sweet one.
Recommended. A great transitional story for the age group and for early chapter book readers. Henkes illustrations give it just the right touch.
Penny is your average attention-seeking older child. When she comes home from school looking to share a new song, she craves the audience of her parents. It takes awhile for the family to find the right moment, but when they do it is a sweet one.
Recommended. A great transitional story for the age group and for early chapter book readers. Henkes illustrations give it just the right touch.
Jun 13, 2012
Marie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
5360-summer-12,
easy-readers
In Penny and Her Song, Penny arrives home from school one day with a brand new song that she created. She is so excited to share it with her family. However, it never seems to be the right time or place. Finally, after dinner, Penny entertains her family with her song. Soon, the whole family joins in to sing Penny’s new song.
This book to good the teach children about the importance of patience. I really enjoyed reading about Penny and her song.
This book to good the teach children about the importance of patience. I really enjoyed reading about Penny and her song.
The love of music makes this beginning chapter reader, by Kevin Henkes a great jump into this format. Like Wemberly, Sheila Rae, and Jessica Henkes has given us a sibling we can root for. Penny's adjustment from only child to big sister has a satisfying ending with an opening for more stories. Great to pair with other new sibling books as a read aloud or leave it for where it is best, to be read by and with beginning readers.
Transitional chapter book, the storyline follows the same thread as many of Henkes' books. Penny wants to share her song with her family, but her mom and dad are afraid she will wake her younger siblings. When she finally does get to sing it puts the babies and herself to sleep. Quick read and easier for developing readers than many of his other picture books but lacks some of the appeal.
Penny comes home from school with a song to share. But the babies are sleeping, so she can't sing to her parents right now. And dinner isn't the right time either. Singing to herself doesn't feel right. But, after being patient, she's given the chance to sing - and then the whole family joins in! A sweet story about patience and its payoff - and an early reader, too!
Children will enjoy Kevin Henkes' newest addition to his mice stories, with an easy to read chapter book they can read themselves. Penny is reminiscent of Lily and her family, as she strives for attention from her busy family. It is comforting to see the family finally join in and spend a delightful evening together with Penny and her new song.
Audience: K-2nd, music teachers, math teachers
Appeal: Great for music teachers opening a lesson of kids writing their own songs. Her song is a counting song good for learning numbers in kindergarten. The chapters would be exciting for young readers wanting to get past "baby" picture books to "big kid" chapter books.
Appeal: Great for music teachers opening a lesson of kids writing their own songs. Her song is a counting song good for learning numbers in kindergarten. The chapters would be exciting for young readers wanting to get past "baby" picture books to "big kid" chapter books.
A mouse girl named Penny comes home from school eager to share the song in her heart. Afraid to wake the babies, Mama and Papa have Penny wait for just the right time for Penny to perform her catchy counting rhyme. Watercolor and ink illustrations capture every emotion in this new series for beginning readers. Reviewer 8
Penny has created a lovely song but her family seems too busy to listen to it. But she is patient and after dinner, her family makes time to listen and learn her special song.
*Important to note the family has new babies, so there could be some discussion about sibling interactions, balancing of needs/time, etc.
*Important to note the family has new babies, so there could be some discussion about sibling interactions, balancing of needs/time, etc.
Penny wants her parents to pay attention to her and not the baby. So she creates a song and wants to sing it to them. They tell her “not now” several times. Finally her parents let her sing it. They enjoy it so much that they join in to sing with her too. At last they are all tires and they put the babies to sleep.
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Kevin Henkes became an author/illustrator when he was nineteen years old, working on a card table in his bedroom.
Today he's the author of many award-winning picture books and novels.
More about Kevin Henkes...
Today he's the author of many award-winning picture books and novels.
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