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6th out of 51 books
—
24 voters
Penguin
by
Polly Dunbar
A quirky new tale from a rising talent — in which a bossy little boy receives a surprising comeuppance.
When Ben rips open his present, he finds a penguin inside. "Hello, Penguin!" he says. "What shall we play?" But Penguin says nothing. Even when Ben tickles its belly, sings a funny song, does a dizzy dance, stands on his head, sticks out his tongue, and resorts to increas...more
When Ben rips open his present, he finds a penguin inside. "Hello, Penguin!" he says. "What shall we play?" But Penguin says nothing. Even when Ben tickles its belly, sings a funny song, does a dizzy dance, stands on his head, sticks out his tongue, and resorts to increas...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
June 12th 2007
by Candlewick Press
(first published January 1st 2007)
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This book is an instant classic. The kids in my class loved it, and I loved it, too. The drawings are charming and full of personality, and the text is simple but effective, packing a rhythmic punch. PENGUIN is the story of an outgoing boy who is given a reticent penguin as a present. The penguin may be a man of few words, but he proves to be a loyal friend and not the least timid. The story works nicely as either a fantasy (the penguin is a real animal) or as a realistic portrait of Ben's imagi...more
For his birthday Ben got Penguin. “Hello, Penguin!” said Ben. Penguin said nothing. Ben was determined to get Penguin to speak, so he tickled and danced and stood on his head. Penguin said nothing. Ben put Penguin on a rocket and shot him to outer space, but Penguin came back to earth as silent as before. Finally, Ben tried to feed Penguin to a passing blue lion. Unfortunately, the lion decided to eat Ben because he was being so noisy. But Penguin came to Ben’s rescue. And then Penguin spoke to...more
This is a story about a little boy who receives a penguin for a present. He spends all his time trying to get penguin to speak or move or talk or change his expression, but penguin does nothing. the little boy gets so mad that he sends the penguin off to outer space, and still, the penguin says nothing. He tries to feed the penguin to a passing lion, but the lion doesn't want to eat the penguin because he likes the penguin, but the boy is being mean and loud, so the lion decides to eat the littl...more
This is a very strange story about a little boy who receives a penguin for a pet and is very frustrated when the penguin does not respond to him in any way, despite his very creative efforts. The ending is quite sweet and interesting and while I liked the story, I thought that a similar story, Princess Penelope's Parrot, had a more satisfying and appropriate ending (or perhaps I just like it when naughty children get their comeuppance.) (view spoiler)...more
Sep 26, 2011
Rakisha
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Preschoolers-Second Graders
Shelves:
k-2-read-alouds
This is a hilarious story about a little boy who is frustrated with is mute penguin. Well, he thinks his penguin is mute until something extraordinary happens. The antics that Ben, the little boy, goes through to get his pet Penguin to speak will make adults smile and little ones chuckle as they recognize themselves. (Imagine all of the "I would do this..." statements this book will get from any child or group of children you read it to.)
The writing and the illustrations are spare, but pack a w...more
The writing and the illustrations are spare, but pack a w...more
Penguin is a children’s story about a boy who is given a penguin for his birthday, but no matter what he tries, he cannot seem to get his new pet to talk to him. However a run in with a lion changes everything....
Penguin is a light hearted and extremely funny book about a boy at the end of his tether, and the simple but delightful animations which accompany the story really add to the pleasure of its reading. Due to the simplicity of both the language and the narrative itself, I would say the bo...more
Penguin is a light hearted and extremely funny book about a boy at the end of his tether, and the simple but delightful animations which accompany the story really add to the pleasure of its reading. Due to the simplicity of both the language and the narrative itself, I would say the bo...more
I think this book is absolutely adorable! Ben is a little boy who opens a present to find a real live penguin. He wants to play with his new pet, but no matter what he tries, the penguin won't talk to him. Ben tries various methods to get his new pet to talk, with no success, until the penguin tells Ben about the adventures they've shared at the end in the only way he knows how. The illustrations communicate each character's feelings very well.--ML
Find it in our catalog: http://catalog.ccls.org/...more
Find it in our catalog: http://catalog.ccls.org/...more
We read the Spanish edition, and the language was just perfect for my 8, 5, and 2 year olds. They loved repeating the phrases "Pinguino no dijo nada," and "Pinguino no dijo una sola palabra."
It's the story of a little boy who opens a present and finds a penguin. Penguin, of course, doesn't speak, and the little boy tries everything to get him to speak. About the middle of the book we were all laughing so hard. It gets very random and silly. But still, "Pinguino no dijo nada." It has a surprise e...more
It's the story of a little boy who opens a present and finds a penguin. Penguin, of course, doesn't speak, and the little boy tries everything to get him to speak. About the middle of the book we were all laughing so hard. It gets very random and silly. But still, "Pinguino no dijo nada." It has a surprise e...more
Penguin is just brilliant.
This is one of my go-to choices for Storytime sessions: Penguin is not too long, not too wordy, and has just the right blend of text and picture. The illustrations are clean and unfussy, and allow children to spot what's happening right away. The text lends itself perfectly to being acted out with the story. The 'twist' at the end never fails to give the kids that lovely "ohhhhh" moment when they work out that Penguin just expresses himself a bit differently. Heartwarm...more
This is one of my go-to choices for Storytime sessions: Penguin is not too long, not too wordy, and has just the right blend of text and picture. The illustrations are clean and unfussy, and allow children to spot what's happening right away. The text lends itself perfectly to being acted out with the story. The 'twist' at the end never fails to give the kids that lovely "ohhhhh" moment when they work out that Penguin just expresses himself a bit differently. Heartwarm...more
One of my favorites of 2007!
I loved this book. I thought it was very creative, entertaining, and had many unexpected elements. The illustrations used where excellent. They really helped more the story along and hold the interest of the reader. This story is about a little boy who gets a toy penguin for a present. He does everything possible for the penguin to play with him but the penguin just sits there. Then out of no where the small boy gets eaten by a blue lion!! Well the toy penguin go to the boys rescue or will he co...more
So cute!! Took Zack to a library storytime this morning and they read this so we had to check it out and read again. Precious illustrations - story about a boy who tries to get a penquin to talk but the penguin remains silent ... all the while retaining exactly what the little boy, Ben, is saying to him. Great ending. Picture books that are quirky and more than your average plot like this are a true delight.
Ben receives an unusual present- a penguin. Ben loves his penguin, and wants to play with him. Ben wants his penguin to talk, but of course he can't, so Ben tries ever trick he knows to get penguin to talk, all to no avail. An odd but wonderful story. Great illustrations- the penguin reminds me of the penguin in the Aardman animation The Wrong Trousers, somewhat possibly malevolent, but intriguing.
Penguin by Polly Dunbar
nice to be a read-loud book for mother.
Tell about baby boy's curiousity of his new friend : a PENGUIN!. That penguin was very quiet for him.
this baby did everything to attract penguin. Jump, laugh, sing ..even send the penguin out to the outer space!..all those made penguin kept in quiet.
But something happened. That thing made the penguin not quiet again..
nice to be a read-loud book for mother.
Tell about baby boy's curiousity of his new friend : a PENGUIN!. That penguin was very quiet for him.
this baby did everything to attract penguin. Jump, laugh, sing ..even send the penguin out to the outer space!..all those made penguin kept in quiet.
But something happened. That thing made the penguin not quiet again..
A story about a little boy called Ben who received a Penguin for a present. Ben tries many different ways to get Penguin to speak to him with no joy until eventually, with a little twist at the end, he succeeds.
A simple, repetitive story with lovely illustrations that children will warm to.
Age range: 4-6
A good story to read to young children or to have on a class bookshelf.
A simple, repetitive story with lovely illustrations that children will warm to.
Age range: 4-6
A good story to read to young children or to have on a class bookshelf.
This was an impulse grab from the library, and I am so glad that I stumbled upon it! The story is straightforward and simple - my daughter loves reading and re-reading this story about the little boy and his penguin friend. Who hasn't imagined a similar situation for a beloved animal friend?
Oh man was this funny. I don't know exactly why- but my kids were rolling the whole time. It is a pretty random book, but man it is entertaining to little people. Highly recommend, especially as there is a surprise at the end. Great read for kids!
Simple illustrations
Ben is delighted to receive a penguin for his birthday but Penguin will not answer or respond to him in any way, no matter what Ben does, until, at last, they discover the language of friendship.
Ben is delighted to receive a penguin for his birthday but Penguin will not answer or respond to him in any way, no matter what Ben does, until, at last, they discover the language of friendship.
A boy's pet penguin won't talk no matter how much he asks or teases. Then the boy gets eaten by a lion and the penguin defends him because he loves him even if he doesn't talk all the time.
A book where the character of the Penguin listens but doesn't speak - until the end. A salient book - just because children are quiet doesn't mean they are not thinking and taking everything in.
A boy receives a penguin for a present...he's upset when he doesn't talk though. He enlists the help of lion and the result is an unexpected result.
Used for "Penguin Party" storytime-July, 2010.
Used for "Penguin Party" storytime-July, 2010.
This is a kids book... just so ya know.
We got this for preschool "P" day and I thought it was just way to adorable. Maybe a little below their level, but so cute. I want to buy it.
We got this for preschool "P" day and I thought it was just way to adorable. Maybe a little below their level, but so cute. I want to buy it.
The little boy is cute and it shows how frustrated young children can get! The bit with the lion was scary though! Haha. Quick read for younger toddlers and nice drawings.
At first I thought, "Oh no, he can't eat the little boy. That would just be wrong". I loved the ending when the penguin finally opened up and let his true feelings show.
This has been added to my repertoire of favorite read alouds. Penguin does not have a thing to say until a shock generates all sorts of stories and exclamations! Hilarious!
I read this book to Ian today. It was totally random, which made it hilarious to me. Read it. Even if you don't have a kid. I promise you'll have a chuckle over it.
Genre: Picture Book
Reading Level: Late Emergent
Topics & Themes: Friendship. Bossy. Human-Animal Relationships
Curricular Use: Read-aloud initially for young students, followed by guided-reading or independent reading
Social: Communication: stand-off between the boy and the penguin until they learn how to communicate
Literary Elements: Personification of the boy's toy penguin. Repeated phrases. Visual language. Alliteration: funniest face, happy hat, silly song, dizzy dance
Text & Pictures: I...more
Reading Level: Late Emergent
Topics & Themes: Friendship. Bossy. Human-Animal Relationships
Curricular Use: Read-aloud initially for young students, followed by guided-reading or independent reading
Social: Communication: stand-off between the boy and the penguin until they learn how to communicate
Literary Elements: Personification of the boy's toy penguin. Repeated phrases. Visual language. Alliteration: funniest face, happy hat, silly song, dizzy dance
Text & Pictures: I...more
From the jacket: "...surprising story of how a boy learns that there are different ways to speak the language of friendship." Great illustrations.
Fun! I love the penguin's expressions ;) This book should be on every kid's bookshelf. Who knew that penguins make such great friends?
boy receives toy penguin. boy begs it to play with him. boy becomes frustrated. quite a fun ending. girls enjoyed it.
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Polly Dunbar is the author-illustrator of many children’s books, including DOG BLUE, PENGUIN, and six stories featuring Tilly and Friends. She is also the illustrator of David Almond’s MY DAD'S A BIRDMAN. Polly Dunbar lives in Brighton, England.
More about Polly Dunbar...
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