When well-mannered Elliot reluctantly visits the aquarium with his distractible father, he politely asks whether he can have a penguin—and then removes one from the penguin pool to his backpack. The fun of caring for a penguin in a New England Victorian house is followed by a surprise revelation by Elliot’s father.
Reviews:
“The book’s humor is built on gentle misunderstandings between father and son (when Elliot asks for a penguin, his father assumes he means a stuffed one from the aquarium gift shop) . . . The revelation that they’re not so dissimilar after all is about as sweet as it gets.” ~ ★ Publishers Weekly
“A real kid charmer that will elicit “Read it again!” responses.” ~ ★ School Library Journal
“In line with Buzzeo’s elegantly spare text, Small uses neutral washes with loosely drawn lines and highlights of restrained color to depict the urbane lad and his equally dapper companion making themselves comfortably at home in upper-crust digs. A happy tale of domestic amity, with a well-set-up punchline.” ~ Kirkus
“Small’s black-and-white line illustrations with pops of soft color are an artful blend of elegance, wit, and whimsy. They echo and complement the text and depict expressive characters, including the playful penguin.” ~ Booklist
Awards & Honors:
- 2013 Caldecott Honor Book
- 2013 ALA Notable Children’s Book
- 2013 Maine Literary Award for Children’s Books
- New York Times Best Seller
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Selection
- CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center) Choice 2013
- Mackin Select K-2 Starred Selection March 2012
- Junior Library Guild Selection
- Children’s Book of the Month Club Selection
- Kids’ Indie Next Selection
- Society of Illustrators Original Art 2012 Selection
- 2012 Goodreads Best Picture Book Award Nominee
- 2013 New England SCBWI Crystal Kite Finalist
- Raising Readers Anthology Selection
- 2014 Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award—Picture Books Nominee
- 2014 Delaware Blue Hen Book Award Nominee
- 2014-15 Georgia Children’s Picture Storybook Award Nominee
- 2014 Illinois Monarch Award Nominee
- 2014-15 Missouri Show Me Award Nominee
- 2014-15 Nebraska Primary Golden Sower Award Nominee
- 2014 Nevada Young Readers Award—Picture Books Nominee
- 2013-14 South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee
- 2013-14 Tennessee Volunteer Book Award—Primary Division Nominee
- 2013-14 Keller, Texas ISD Cowpoke Picture Book List
- 2013-14 Vermont Red Clover Award Nominee
- 2013-14 Wyoming Buckaroo Book Award Nominee
- 2014-15 Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Nominee
Teaching Resources:
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