Fabulously illustrated by H. B. Lewis, Elizabeth Cody Kimmel's hilarious romp through the land of be-careful-what-you-wish-for offers a whole ye...
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reviews
Dec 13, 2008
Kathryn
rated it: 
3.5 stars. Very cute drawings and engaging text. Would have liked it better if the little boy actually voiced enjoyment at some of his time with Osbert rather than feeling annoyed/responsible the entire time, though...
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Jul 17, 2011
Dolly
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Our girls love stories about penguins and we found this one at our local library. The story takes place during Christmastime, but what better time to read about the cold and snow than in the middle of a hot summer, eh? Anyway, we really enjoyed this story. It offers a lesson about being careful what you wish for, without being too heavy-handed about it. And the story and illustrations are very funny, so we had a lot of laughs while reading it together. We will have to look for the next book
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Nov 26, 2008
Tawnya
rated it: 
By far one of my all-time favorite children's Christmas books! While I pack most Christmas books away after the holidays, this book stays out to enjoy all year long. It provides great insight into the life of a little boy, Joe, who wants a real penguin for Christmas. Santa has blundered Joe's requests in the past, so he wants to make sure Santa gets it right this year. Joe learns the hard way that having a real penguin is quite the chore. So next year, he'll settle for a helicopter instead
Dec 07, 2008
Jacqueline
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This beautiful picture book has been recommended to me by many parents as a "must have" holiday read. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and the story is cute.
Joe has been displeased with some of the gifts that Santa has left him in the past, so he is very specific in his letter this year. He wants a real live penguin from Antarctica.
Santa, being the wonderful fellow that he is, comes through! The question is: Is having a penguin all that it is crac
Joe has been displeased with some of the gifts that Santa has left him in the past, so he is very specific in his letter this year. He wants a real live penguin from Antarctica.
Santa, being the wonderful fellow that he is, comes through! The question is: Is having a penguin all that it is crac
Dec 24, 2009
W.H.
rated it:
My Lesson Notes for 1st Grade
Questions: What do we know about penguins? Have you ever wished for a present that wasn't what you thought it'd be?
Color bookmarks from: http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepa... Students can list the books they read over break on the back.
Silly penguin video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-pDuBg1r...
Read Alikes:
A Mother's Journey
A Penguin Story
And Tango Makes Three
Antarctic Antics: a Book of
Questions: What do we know about penguins? Have you ever wished for a present that wasn't what you thought it'd be?
Color bookmarks from: http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepa... Students can list the books they read over break on the back.
Silly penguin video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-pDuBg1r...
Read Alikes:
A Mother's Journey
A Penguin Story
And Tango Makes Three
Antarctic Antics: a Book of
Jun 23, 2010
Jackie
rated it:
My Penguin Osbert is the Christmas gift a boy really wants this year. After last year's mistake, he was really careful to ask for exactly what he wants. What he wants is a penguin and Osbert is delivered. But, caring for a penguin is harder and trickier than he thought. Be careful want you ask for.
Used for "World Traveler's Club: Antarctica" Storytime-June, 2010 and
"Penguin Party" Storytime-July, 2010.
Used for "World Traveler's Club: Antarctica" Storytime-June, 2010 and
"Penguin Party" Storytime-July, 2010.
Jan 13, 2011
Cathy
rated it: 
A sweet little book of a little boy who asks for a live penguin for Christmas and after taking care of it for a few days realizes that this might not have been a good idea. Luckily Santa comes through and remedies the situation. A good story to read when a kid starts begging for a pet - it sounds like a good idea but usually has more responsibility than expected.
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Aug 15, 2011
Matthew
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This book is a lot of fun and has a very heartfelt twist since the child at its center makes a tough choice to do something in the best interest of his friend rather than to keep his friend, the penguin, at home with him. This is a beautiful book and I really enjoyed reading it with my students.
May 27, 2010
Joy
rated it:
Level: Primary
Every year Joe writes a letter to Santa but Santa never seems to get it right....except for this year when Joe gets a penguin. Except having a penguin is not exactly what he thought it would be...
The illustrations are watercolor, pastel and digital rendering.
Every year Joe writes a letter to Santa but Santa never seems to get it right....except for this year when Joe gets a penguin. Except having a penguin is not exactly what he thought it would be...
The illustrations are watercolor, pastel and digital rendering.
Apr 07, 2010
Alana
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A boy specifically asks for a real penguin for Christmas and gets one. It's pretty funny and the wonderful illustrations make it even better. It's a cute way to teach children that there are consequences for everything - even Christmas presents.
Feb 01, 2011
Vivian
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This is for all the kids who wished for a pet--better yet, an exotic pet! What to do after the newness and novelty have worn off? This is one of my recent favorite additions to the season's readings.
Dec 15, 2009
Smizler
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Be careful what you wish for and more importantly how you wish for it. A really sweet tale about a little boy and the real life penguin he asks Santa to bring him.
Jul 11, 2011
Crystal
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I love the colors in this book, the crosshatching of the pastels, and of course Osbert. :) Me and my boys read this at least ten times every Christmas season.
Jan 06, 2009
Madeline
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Very charming, the pictures are wonderful and theres a nice little message in there too. For the kid with unrealistic expectations at Christmas.
Oct 25, 2010
A great story about a boy who asks for –and gets—a penguin for Xmas. (Probably a distant relation to Alexander of the terrible etc. day.)
Sep 21, 2010
Denise
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A sweet book for parents to read with their children about a boy who gets exactly what he wants from Santa, then thinks better of having asked.
Dec 29, 2009
Kim
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A sweet little story about being careful what you wish for but also about how we must be responsible for what we create.
Mar 12, 2011
Cheryl/Aradanryl
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Hilarious take on being careful what you wish for. Beautiful illustrations that add to the fun.
Mar 17, 2008
babyhippoface
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Oh, my. Be careful what you wish for, indeed. I really, really like this book. I've read it aloud to 1st and 2nd graders every Christmas. This boy just has a good heart, doesn't he? He wants a penguin so, so badly, then darned if he doesn't realize that, wow, maybe this wasn't such a good choice after all.
And that Osbert? How adorable is he??? Really great pictures, too. Terrific book for reading to your kids at Christmas time. Just terrific.
And that Osbert? How adorable is he??? Really great pictures, too. Terrific book for reading to your kids at Christmas time. Just terrific.
Jun 26, 2008
Amber
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I bought this book solely based on the cute cover and the fact that it was 50% off at Barnes and Noble. I loved it so much I went back the next day and bought another one for my niece and nephews. It's one of my favorite children't books. Clever and funny. The kids love it to.
Apr 26, 2010
571
rated it:
PreSchool-Grade 2 SLJ
story of a boy who asked for a penguin for Christmas and received it- the moral: be careful what you wish for. humorous, fabulous illustrations.
story of a boy who asked for a penguin for Christmas and received it- the moral: be careful what you wish for. humorous, fabulous illustrations.
Feb 03, 2009
Julia
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Fun holiday story about a little boy who wishes for a penguin, not realizing how much work it will be or how different their lifestyles will be.
Feb 22, 2008
Laurie
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I love this book. It was given to me by my best friend and the langauge is delightful and the idea is joyful. In my top children's book
Sep 04, 2010
Lindsey
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An exceptionally adorable book about getting what we really want. Beautiful illustrations and a must read for anyone!
