Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Penguin’s Big Adventure
Author/Illustrator Salina Yoon
Bloomsbury, 2015
Fiction
Suitable for: ages 4-8
Theme/Topic: Exploration, Friendship
Opening Spread: One day, Penguin had a big idea.
He wanted to do something no penguin had ever done.
He wanted to be the first penguin ever to set foot on the North Pole.
Brief Synopsis: (from back cover) When Penguin decides to visit the North Pole, he discovers that new places can be scary— but sometimes all it takes to feel right at home is a friendly face!
Resources: Exploration lesson plans. Create an adventure map for an “expedition” — consider visiting an unexplored part of your city or neighborhood. If your child is not in school, create a map to your child’s future school and visit the playground. Think about the items Penguin packs in his backpack. Create your own exploration backpack and fill it with supplies you’ll need for an upcoming adventure. (We always pack emergency snacks in our backpacks.) There are activity books for the Penguin and Pincone and Penguin and Pumpkin books.
Why I Like This Book: Penguin’s adventures have continued in a big way since Penguin and Pincone A Friendship Story. This is the fifth book in the series and I remain in love with Penguin. As with each book, Penguin finds a new friend. We meet Polar Bear in this book. My favorite line of the book is “No, but one might be coming in!” You’ll have to read the book to see who said it. Ever since Cathy introduced me to Penguin, I have been hooked.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
Great idea to create a companion “map” with your child to pair with the book. (Yay Penguin!)
When my daughter drew a map from home to her best friend’s house, I was amazed to see what she considered “landmarks” (aka the big tree, the round rock, etc). Kids really see things in incredible detail!
Bravo Salina!
Enzo drew our house for an elevator … we don’t have one. It is fun to see what they draw. I agree Bravo Salina.
Penguin is such a great story about about exploration and friendship. Kids love to explore and Penguin will feed their appetite. Love the illustrations!
Penguin’s adventures are always top notch.
Salina’s books are all so wonderful! I love your exploration ideas–they resonated for me as an adult with mostly adult children–we all should step out and explore, get outside our comfort zone–the reward can be expanded horizons (inside and out) and/or new friends. Thank you, Stacy!
I’m a huge Salina fan. I believe the Penguin books also serve adults well. I’ve been known to pass them along to adults.
Love the backpack ideas, Stacy. What a cute little character for kids to relate to. One of these days I need to get back on board with PPBF!
He is one of my favorite characters. When you have time Jarm … you always have tons on your writing plate.
I do love this sweet character and each new story never disappoints. Great activities, Stacy!
I agree. Penguin never disappoints. No pressure on Salina or anything. 🙂
Thanks for the heads up on the new book in this series. Penguin makes me happy.
Penguin makes me happy too.
Very cute illustration and great concept. My teenager’s school is all about ‘expedition.’ The word used to confuse me, i.e. what is -exploration, preparation, the experience, and reflection. Very good to start kids early, on looking at life that way. Much more fun and relevant.
These books and this character sound adorable. I haven’t seen these. I am going to check them out. Thanks for the review.
what a perfect idea! Penguin trekking to the North Pole. Not just fiction, but educational, too, since many kids think penguins live wherever it’s cold. I’ll have to pick this one up. Thanks for highlighting!
I can’t believe I haven’t read one of these penguin books yet! They sound great for introducing some new knowledge and the idea of making friends.
I love Penguin… and how cool that he’s going to explore the North Pole. He’ll probably be the first Penguin there. I love your activities… thanks for sharing.