The Christmas Penguin

by Mary Packard, Teri Weidner (Illustrator)

[Hello Reader! Level 1]

In this heartwarming holiday story, a Christmas penguin's wish comes true when he helps Santa recover a bag of toys.

"Dear Santa,"wrote Rollie,
"I know penguins don't fly.
But I sure wish that I
could give it a try."

Rollie the penguin has a special Christmas wish: He wants to be able to fly! On Christmas Eve, Santa asks him to help deliver the toys. But when a bag falls from the sleigh, Santa fears that the bag is lost forever.
Then Rollie "flies" through the water and retrieves the bag of toys. Santa is proud of Rollie, and Rollie realizes that penguins do indeed fly--in their own special way.

Genres: Christmas, Childrens, Picture Books, Animals, Holiday, School, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A penguin writes Santa, wishing to fly, and Santa obliges. But of course, the penguin also learns the value of what he can do himself.

Bland and generic story in rhyme, but the art is cute.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son liked this book very much.

[Nhi Nguyễn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cuteeee!!! Rollie Penguin wishes to be able to fly, so he sends a letter to Santa Claus, hoping Santa could make his wish come true. However, by diving deep into the sea to help Santa retrieve the missing bag of presents, Rollie learned that he already can fly - fly so fast in the water.

This is a great book for young children to learn to appreciate the abilities/gifts/talents that they have and who they are, rather than spending time wishing for what they don't have and who they are not.

[Emily Gerstenschlager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read 6/10/21
Genre: fiction
Grade: K-1st
I think this is a good book to have kids work on reading fluency. It was cute with the penguin and Santa as the characters, which I think kids will like. I also liked the message at the end that Santa says to always be proud of yourself.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

403 - 2020

[Franci · Rating 4 out of 5]

#101 of 2021

#4 of 2021 Christmas / Holiday Reads

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maddie’s read for this evening, good discussion about how evolution turned wings into flippers.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute book of a little penguin that makes a Christmas wish and sees the value of his abilities.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute story about a penguin who writes to Santa and he comes to see the penguin and let's him ride in the sleigh with him. He wants to fly so santa grants his wish by taking him In the sleigh. It is a really cute Christmas story. I would say this is a good book for beginning readers, maybe end of kindergarten, beginning of first grade.

[Rose]

E Pac

[Theresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

a cute holiday book to help practice with your emergent readers

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little rhyming story for young kids that touches on the lesson of being proud of who you are.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son enjoyed it its the second night in a row he's made me read it. :)

[msfox_librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas story of Rollie the penguin who asks Santa to be able to fly for Christmas. Rollie's gift of being a great swimmer helps Santa avoid a catastrophe and he becomes Santa's special elf.