Little Penguin Spiral-Bound | 2021-03-02

When Little Penguin waddles and slips, Mama Penguin provides snuggly safety. This series follow-up to Abery and Mason's Little Hippo (2020) features emperor penguins. Little Penguin rides his mama's feet and eats with her (discreetly but accurately depicted) before waddling out on his own. When he slips and falls, Mama Penguin is there to clean him up and bring him back to the safe huddle of penguins. Abery's rhythmic, rhyming text follows a repeated pattern, with the active verbs highlighted in purples and blues. There are some great vocabulary words for little readers, like preening and guzzling. The real attention-grabbers, however, are Mason's illustrations: Fluffy Little Penguin is utterly charming, with an expressive, curious face. The snowy background has depths and layers, with deep blues, light purples, and shadowy grays. All of the images have texture: icy footprints, snow clinging to fluffy feathers. Simultaneously publishing in the Little Animal Friends series, Little Zebra follows a similar plotline. When Little Zebra wanders off, her mother guides her back to the trail. With darling African savanna friends like a gazelle and active verbs, it follows the same formula as Little Penguin. While this may feel a bit repetitive to grown-ups, little ones will enjoy the familiarity of rhythm and the echoing theme of mama keeping baby safe. Irresistible penguin fluff and predictable, rhythmic text make this a good fit for little readers. (Board book. 6 mos.-2) --Kirkus Reviews, 4/15/2021

An emperor penguin chick takes his first step in his journey to leave his mama. Warm, textured illustrations. --Bank Street College of Education, 9/2021

Bundle up and join an adorable penguin as he explores the icy and cold world around him. Little Penguin engages in a series of behaviors that are realistic to penguins, and human toddlers alike! From hiding to nuzzling, eating food his parents provide, flapping his wings (or, for humans, arms), toddlers will find a kindred spirit in the activities of this cool animal. Walking slowly on the ice, falling, sprawling on the snow, and being comforted by his mama are all experiences toddlers may share. Dusted off by his mama, the little penguin is sent off to play with the other little penguins. This is a joyful and cozy celebration of community. The illustrations are soft and accurately depict a penguin's habitat. Young children will want to experience the world just as the little penguin does. An adorable vocabulary-building text, with two emphasized words on each page. This book is a truly wonderful addition to a child's bookshelf. Children will enjoy acting out a penguin role, be sure to play along. --Children's Literature, 01/01/2021