The Truth about Penguins

by Meg McKinlay, Mark Jackson (Illustrator)

The penguins are coming and there is great excitement at the zoo. But what's a penguin? The animals don't quite know what to expect - but they all have an opinion, each more outlandish than the next. When the truth about penguins is finally revealed, however, everyone is in for a surprise!

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 2, 2010

About the author

Meg McKinlay is a children's writer and poet living in Fremantle, Western Australia.

She has published twenty-five books for young people, ranging from picture books through to young adult novels, and a collection of poetry for adults. Her work has won awards including the Prime Minister's Literary Award, the CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award, and the WA Premier's Book Award, among others.

A former academic, swimming teacher, Japanese interpreter and tour guide, Meg has accidentally lived her life in accordance with the song lyrics, "If you see a strange door to your left/then drop your things and run for it"*, which is how she found herself wrangling words for a living. Meg has no plans to drop writing, though, and is always cooking up more books.

* From 'Wildflowers', by Things of Stone and Wood

Reviews

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the book was very funny. My mum laughed when i read it to her. I really enjoyed that book.

[Anna Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this kids book, such a cute story about other animals who have never met a penguin pretending they know what penguins are. The pictures are beautiful throughout the book and a real must for penguin lovers. Oh and a great book to read to young children if you must.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's silly, it's fun, it encourages children to be critical of what they read/hear/absorb/circulate. And it mischievously undermines itself so that you still have to work it out for yourself. Plus my niece loved disagreeing with it.