Exploring emotions with Penguin

Penguin by Polly Dunbar (Walker Books 2007) | © 2007 by Polly Dunbar

“Children use books to discover the rules by which the world works, then delight in finding stories that subvert those same rules.”

— Wild Things!

My Good to Read recommendation this week is an old family favourite: the delightful Penguin by Polly Dunbar (Walker Books 2007).

You could pigeon hole this best-selling award winner as a subversive morality tale, in the tradition of Hilaire Belloc’s cautionary tales (or Hoffman’s dark Struwwelpeter). But Dunbar dispenses with fear, horror and gore in favour of colour, warmth and humour.

Out of all her books, Dunbar says, “Penguin is my absolute favourite to read out loud.” It begins with a present for Ben, who is clearly delighted to open it and find a penguin inside! But when Ben tries to engage the penguin, it does not answer. It is silent and static.

 

Penguin by Polly Dunbar (Walker Books 2007) | © 2007 by Polly Dunbar

 

“Can’t you talk?” said Ben.

Penguin said nothing.

 

Nothing Ben tries will provoke a reaction. Not tickling, or funny faces, or the singing of silly songs in a happy hat. 

Penguin just won’t speak.

Ben’s delight in his new friend begins to sour.

‘So Ben prodded Penguin and blew a raspberry at Penguin.’ Still ‘Penguin said nothing.’

 

Penguin by Polly Dunbar (Walker Books 2007) | © 2007 by Polly Dunbar

 

Ben ramps things up - he makes fun of the penguin and imitates/mocks him.

Finally, Ben turns his back and ignores Penguin.

The text may be sparse, but Dunbar’s illustrations speak volumes. And this is one of the joys of the book. It’s handy for a quick, ‘just one more story’ before lights out. But it can also be read at length, taking time to discuss the characters’ feelings (in particular, Ben) by interpreting their body language, expertly shown by Dunbar’s drawings.

Feeling sad and rejected, Ben tries to feed Penguin to a passing lion. 

 

Penguin by Polly Dunbar (Walker Books 2007) | © 2007 by Polly Dunbar

Dunbar’s big lion is friendly and blue. He is, unquestionably, an imaginary creature - and he does not want to eat Penguin.

‘This makes Ben shout,’ writes one child reviewer. ‘But then the lion eats Ben because he is being too noisy.’

 

For a child, subversive books are delightful, precisely because they break the rules and no one stops them.

- Wild Things!

 

No one stops them?

 

What about the mysterious, silent Penguin?

Penguin bit Lion very hard on the nose.

OW! said Lion.

Penguin by Polly Dunbar (Walker Books 2007) | © 2007 by Polly Dunbar

 Dunbar shares the inspiration behind the story on her website: 

Some time ago my brother Ben gave me an old toy penguin. Ben said to me ‘You have to look after this Penguin, he’s very precious, but watch out he BITES!’ I drew a small sketch of a little boy being bitten on the nose by a Penguin, how absurd, I thought and from there the story grew.’

- Polly Dunbar

 

The Sunday Times describes Penguin as heart-warming, praising the way Dunbar ‘conjures — by minimal means — imagination, anger, danger and love, while encouraging small children to remember events, read pictures and laugh.’

Unlike Belloc’s Jim (who was swallowed by a lion), Ben is spat out. And not only is he whole and unharmed - he appears to be enjoying himself!

 

WOW! said Ben.

And Penguin said…

 

The spread that follows is such a great, unexpected page-turn; described in one review as ‘[q]uite simply the best visual representation of emotion ever!’

Penguin finally speaks up - but the story he tells is recounted pictorially. 

Booktrust says,

 

Polly Dunbar’s illustrations are gorgeous and her palette stylish - from the endearing Ben’s rosy cheeks to the magnificent turquoise lion who eats him up.

- Booktrust

 

Penguin by Polly Dunbar (Walker Books 2007) | © 2007 by Polly Dunbar

 Penguin is Good to Read because it is:

Short enough to hold the attention of impatient littlies

Rich enough to warrant a more extended reading session

Colourful, bright and cheery.

Shows kids the importance of communication

Helps develop empathy and visual literacy.

Introduces children to speech bubbles

Funny!

 Good to Read

Some other books for penguin fans

The Emperor’s Egg by Martin Jenkins, ill. by Jane Chapman

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

SourcesWild Things! Acts of Mischief in Children’s Literature by Betsy Bird, Julie Danielson and Peter D. Sieruta (Candlewick Press 2014)Penguin by Polly Dunbar (Walker Books 2008) Penguin - review , by Raindrop (The Guardian, 04 November, 2013) Penguin by Nicolette Jones (The Sunday Times) Penguin by Polly Dunbar (lovereading4kidz.co.uk)Penguin by Polly Dunbar (booktrust.co.uk)

‘This brief, brisk story will hold the attention of impatient children, while its messages about easing standoffs through communication and mutual respect bears repeated reading.’

- Booklist

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