Tacky and the Emperor (Tacky the Penguin) - Hardcover

Lester, Helen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0395981204 ISBN 13: 9780395981207

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers, 2000

Synopsis

It’s common knowledge that Tacky was never the best- dressed penguin, but when he and his friends prepare for the arrival of the emperor, Tacky gets carried away and ends up in more than just elegant attire!
Tacky brings his own unique brand of humor and entertainment to the emperor’s visit. Here is another wacky addition to Tacky’s myriad adventures in which friendship, kindness, and laughter always win out! Tacky fans will be carried to new heights of hilarity by this latest Tacky tale.

About this title

About the Author:

Helen Lester has written many hilarious and popular picture books, including the Tacky the Penguin series and Hooway for Wodney Wat. She lives in New York. www.helenlester.com

From Kirkus Reviews:

Tacky, the delightful penguin who marches (or is it waddles?) to a different drummer is back in another funny and charming tale-this time involving a royal visit from the emperor. When Tacky and his five iceberg-mates learn that the emperor is coming to visit, they enter into frenzied preparations. A feast of fish-flavored food is prepared, entertainment is rehearsed, and Tacky is put in charge of the balloons. But when he blows up a really big balloon, he takes an unplanned ride and ends up on a neighboring iceberg, which, unbeknownst to Tacky, is the emperor's home. Seeing a set of very fancy clothes lying unattended and unclaimed on the ice, he puts them on and waddles back to his own iceberg. To his amazement, his five friends make a huge fuss over him, plying him with food and making sure he's amused and happy. Although Tacky doesn't realize it, his friends have mistaken him for the emperor. When the real emperor arrives, the five others are mortified that there is nothing left with which to impress him, and are exasperated with Tacky. The emperor, who turns out to be sick to death of the stuffy and formal visits most of his subjects make him sit through, has a great time with Tacky and his improvisations. Instead of the fish-flavored food that the emperor is usually offered, they have snowball cones; instead of a boring dance recital, Tacky sings his favorite silly song; and they all (even his royal highness) tell penguin jokes. The watercolor illustrations are adorable and full of humor-note especially the fish-flavored ice cream, the emperor's twinkle-toed shoes, and the double-page spread on which the penguins learn about the mistake that's been made. Children will think this book is a riot and won't even realize that a message is being delivered-a charming one about the joys of non-conformity. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0395981204
• ISBN 13: 9780395981207
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Munsinger Lynn