My Penguin Osbert

My Penguin Osbert

by
4.14 of 5 stars 4.14  ·  rating details  ·  219 ratings  ·  39 reviews
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 year's worth of holiday fun magic.

This year, I was very specific in my letter to Santa Claus.

Each year at Christmas, Joe writes a letter to Santa. But they've had a few misunderstandings in the past. Last year, for example, Joe wante...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published September 9th 2004 by Candlewick Press (first published July 1st 2004)
more details... edit details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers365 Penguins by Jean-Luc FromentalTacky the Penguin by Helen LesterAnd Tango Makes Three by Justin RichardsonA Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis
Picture Books with Penguins
43rd out of 51 books — 24 voters
Ripple by Tui AllenWatership Down by Richard AdamsLife of Pi by Yann MartelThe Call of the Wild by Jack LondonJonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Animal Stories
83rd out of 101 books — 41 voters


More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 359)
filter  |  sort: default (?)  |  rating details
Kathryn
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...
Dolly
Jul 17, 2011 Dolly rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: parents reading with their children
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, My...more
Tawnya
Nov 26, 2008 Tawnya rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Parents and childrens alike

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!
Jacqueline
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 cracked up to be?
W.H. Beck
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/them.... Students can list the books they read over break on the back.

Silly penguin video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-pDuB....

Read Alikes:
A Mother's Journey
A Penguin Story
And Tango Makes Three
Antarctic Antics: a Book of Penguin Poems
Jackie
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.

Cathy
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.
Matthew
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.
Alana
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.
Library Quine
Sam really wants a penguin for Christmas. However, when he gets one, he realises that don't really live comparable lives, and he writes to Santa to see if a swap is available. Santa comes up with a solution which suits them both.
Vivian
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.
Heather
43 months - Picked this one up for a new read this holiday. Beautifully illustrated and a good moral... Be realistic in what you ask Santa for for Christmas.
Dayna
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.
Crystal Cook
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.
Madeline
Very charming, the pictures are wonderful and theres a nice little message in there too. For the kid with unrealistic expectations at Christmas.
Debrarian
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.)
Denise
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.
Gschera
I read this one to the kindergarteners every year when they do their unit on penguins as an example of a fictional penguin story.
Kim
A sweet little story about being careful what you wish for but also about how we must be responsible for what we create.
Cheryl/Aradanryl
Mar 12, 2011 Cheryl/Aradanryl rated it 4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Cheryl/Aradanryl by: El Paso LIbrary
Hilarious take on being careful what you wish for. Beautiful illustrations that add to the fun.
Marika Gillis
I like to use this book to teach sequencing in 4th grade. Cute story!
Erika B.
Such a cute Christmas book! Just be careful what you ask for :-)
Angie
One of my very favorite Christmas books to read at "storytime."
Cynthia
Cute! Reminds me of ONE COOL FRIEND.
Laura Komos
Be careful what you wish for! :)
babyhippoface
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.
Amber Baker
Jun 26, 2008 Amber Baker rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone
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.
Joy
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.
Sarah
My boys love this book. They have had it read to them at school. This is my first christmas reading it, and I agree it's a great christmas story. I love how Joe sticks it out, does what the Penguin wants. Because he did ask for him and now he has him.
571
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.
« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 next »
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
My Penguin Osbert: Midi Edition (Hardcover)
My Penguin Osbert Book and Toy Gift Set (Hardcover)
My Penguin Osbert (Paperback)
My penguin Osbert
Mi Pinguino Oliver = My Penguin Osbert (Hardcover)

School Spirit Lily B. on the Brink of Cool Mary Ingalls on Her Own Scaredy Kat In The Stone Circle

Share This Book

Your website