Penguin: A Tilly and Friends Book - Softcover

Dunbar, Polly

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0763649724 ISBN 13: 9780763649722

Publisher: Candlewick, 2010

Synopsis

A quirky tale from a rising talent — in which a bossy little boy receives a surprising comeuppance.

When Ben rips open his present, he finds a penguin inside. "Hello, Penguin!" he says. "What shall we play?" But Penguin says nothing. Even when Ben tickles its belly, does a dizzy dance, and sticks out his tongue, Penguin makes no response. What will it take for Penguin to say something — or for Ben to understand what Penguin has to say? Spare illustrations bring whimsy to this offbeat tale, in which a little boy gets his heart’s desire.

About this title

About the Author:

Polly Dunbar is the author-illustrator of DOG BLUE and FLYAWAY KATIE and the illustrator of SHOE BABY, written by her mother, Joyce Dunbar. She lives in Brighton, England.

From Booklist:

Ben is disappointed that the penguin he receives as a present is mute. He tries everything from tickling it to entertaining it with a song and a dizzy dance, but Penguin doesn't speak. Ben fires Penguin into outer space, but he returns as silent as ever. Then he tries to feed Penguin to a passing lion, but the lion goes after Ben instead. Penguin saves the day and then recounts all of the preceding episodes in his own, pictorial language. The closing scene, in which Penguin responds to Ben's hug by uttering a heart-shaped message, warmly conveys that the adversaries have finally found common ground. Dunbar complements her short, straightforward text with equally spare illustrations, judiciously brightened with color, in which Ben, Penguin, and Lion (and little else) appear on completely white pages. This brief, brisk story will hold the attention of impatient children, while its messages about easing standoffs through communication and mutual respect bears repeated reading. Enos, Randall

About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0763649724
• ISBN 13: 9780763649722
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Dunbar Polly