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My Penguin Osbert
Fabulously illustrated by H. B. Lewis, Elizabeth Cody Kimmel's hilarious romp through the land of be-careful-what-you-wish-for offers a whole year's worth of holiday fun magic.
This year, I was very specific in my letter to Santa Claus.
Each year at Christmas, Joe writes a letter to Santa. But they've had a few misunderstandings in the past. Last year, for example, Joe wanted a fire-engine-red racecar with retracting headlights, and he did get one — but it was only three inches long. So this year Joe is really, really careful. He describes exactly what he wants — and on Christmas morning, guess what's waiting for him under the tree! Santa has brought him a living, breathing, black-and-white penguin named Osbert. Will anything in Joe's life ever be the same?
This year, I was very specific in my letter to Santa Claus.
Each year at Christmas, Joe writes a letter to Santa. But they've had a few misunderstandings in the past. Last year, for example, Joe wanted a fire-engine-red racecar with retracting headlights, and he did get one — but it was only three inches long. So this year Joe is really, really careful. He describes exactly what he wants — and on Christmas morning, guess what's waiting for him under the tree! Santa has brought him a living, breathing, black-and-white penguin named Osbert. Will anything in Joe's life ever be the same?
40 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2004
3 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
December 17, 2018
What a message. A boy thinks getting exactly what he wants is what he wants. He is very specific to Santa that he wants a live penguin. So, he gets what he wants. He quickly realizes that what he thought he wanted wasn’t very realistic and it became a burden. What I love about the story is that the body realizes that this is what he asked for, so he doesn’t complain. He does it anyway.
How often in life do we choose something, say a job - it turns out differently than we want and we let bitterness into our heart or blame. We forget that we asked for this. We have all the reasons in the world this sucks and that person is mean. I did that with school. I hate the busywork and I didn’t learn this in class and blah blah. I have had much irritation, but I did ask for that. It is truly difficult to accept the reality of the goods and the bads of things we do. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to change the things that don’t work, the trick is not letting anger, bitterness and other things like that into our hearts as we do them. The trick is to do the unpleasant things with a sense of service and realization - we asked for this.
I don’t know if the kids got that message from this story, but I sure did. It was a very cute story and it also had quite a powerful message. The boy writes Santa and lets him know if there was a gift he was going to give the boy and not the Penguin, he would accept that. He got a box with a sweater, which didn’t excite him, but he realized it kept him warm and tickets to the zoo.
My nephew has a love for penguins, always has. It must be his spirit animal or something. So, the thought of owning a penguin made his imagination run on high. He gave this book 5 stars and now wants a penguin for Christmas. He obviously did not learn from the story. The niece thought it was cute enough and she gave it 3 stars.
How often in life do we choose something, say a job - it turns out differently than we want and we let bitterness into our heart or blame. We forget that we asked for this. We have all the reasons in the world this sucks and that person is mean. I did that with school. I hate the busywork and I didn’t learn this in class and blah blah. I have had much irritation, but I did ask for that. It is truly difficult to accept the reality of the goods and the bads of things we do. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to change the things that don’t work, the trick is not letting anger, bitterness and other things like that into our hearts as we do them. The trick is to do the unpleasant things with a sense of service and realization - we asked for this.
I don’t know if the kids got that message from this story, but I sure did. It was a very cute story and it also had quite a powerful message. The boy writes Santa and lets him know if there was a gift he was going to give the boy and not the Penguin, he would accept that. He got a box with a sweater, which didn’t excite him, but he realized it kept him warm and tickets to the zoo.
My nephew has a love for penguins, always has. It must be his spirit animal or something. So, the thought of owning a penguin made his imagination run on high. He gave this book 5 stars and now wants a penguin for Christmas. He obviously did not learn from the story. The niece thought it was cute enough and she gave it 3 stars.
December 13, 2008
3.5 stars. Very cute drawings and engaging text. Would have liked it better if the little boy actually voiced enjoyment at some of his time with Osbert rather than feeling annoyed/responsible the entire time, though...
March 14, 2023
Awwwww. Penguins are the best, as long as you don't have them in your house.
We are spectacularly cold at the moment, so that seems appropriate.
Library copy
We are spectacularly cold at the moment, so that seems appropriate.
Library copy
April 28, 2021
I adore this book. It's the sweetest little "be careful what you ask for" and "it's okay to make mistakes" story all rolled into one, and it's just adorable.
November 26, 2008
By far one of my all-time favorite children's Christmas books! While I pack most Christmas books away after the holidays, this book stays out to enjoy all year long. It provides great insight into the life of a little boy, Joe, who wants a real penguin for Christmas. Santa has blundered Joe's requests in the past, so he wants to make sure Santa gets it right this year. Joe learns the hard way that having a real penguin is quite the chore. So next year, he'll settle for a helicopter instead!
January 14, 2011
A sweet little book of a little boy who asks for a live penguin for Christmas and after taking care of it for a few days realizes that this might not have been a good idea. Luckily Santa comes through and remedies the situation. A good story to read when a kid starts begging for a pet - it sounds like a good idea but usually has more responsibility than expected.
December 11, 2018
Joe is tired of Santa misinterpreting his Christmas lists, so he decides to be Very Specific when he asks for a pet penguin. He is not disappointed. Osbert the penguin is "black and white with a yellow beak, and exactly twelve inches tall. He was moving and breathing and everything." Unfortunately, Joe isn't completely prepared to please and care for a penguin, and Osbert's needs are more than he can (or wants to) handle. They have a lot of fun together, regardless, but Joe realizes his limitations and communicates privately with Santa about the Osbert situation, "If you feel like maybe I should have asked for a different present, and you want to swap, that would be OK." Santa sends Joe some passes to the Antarctic exhibit at the zoo, and soon Osbert has a new home where Joe can visit him from time to time and where he can have all of the things he requires (plus penguin friends!). Win-win! This is a cute and funny holiday story about being careful what you ask for (and about being responsible, too).
December 8, 2018
Joe is tired of the misunderstandings between him and Santa every year, so this year he makes sure to make his Christmas letter VERY specific. When he gets exactly what he asks for, it doesn't quite pan out the way he envisioned. Careful what you wish for, kid! Joe is forced to see beyond the cute factor of a penguin and admit that humans and penguins come from completely different habitats with different things to interest them. Still, Joe repeatedly notes that this IS what he asked for, so he makes the best of it in the most adorable way :-)
July 17, 2011
Our girls love stories about penguins and we found this one at our local library. The story takes place during Christmastime, but what better time to read about the cold and snow than in the middle of a hot summer, eh? Anyway, we really enjoyed this story. It offers a lesson about being careful what you wish for, without being too heavy-handed about it. And the story and illustrations are very funny, so we had a lot of laughs while reading it together. We will have to look for the next book, My Penguin Osbert in Love.
March 24, 2014
This was an adorable story about a little boy asking Santa for things for Christmas. Not getting 'exactly' what he asks for until he gets a real live penguin. He soon learns that having exactly what he thought he wanted isn't all it's cracked up to be but he cares for Osbert because 'after all I did ask for him' (teaching children that they have to continue taking care of a pet once they get one)in the end he finds a good home at the zoo with other penguins for Osbert and they both are happy. Illustrations in this book are wonderful as well!
March 18, 2008
Oh, my. Be careful what you wish for, indeed. I really, really like this book. I've read it aloud to 1st and 2nd graders every Christmas. This boy just has a good heart, doesn't he? He wants a penguin so, so badly, then darned if he doesn't realize that, wow, maybe this wasn't such a good choice after all.
And that Osbert? How adorable is he??? Really great pictures, too. Terrific book for reading to your kids at Christmas time. Just terrific.
And that Osbert? How adorable is he??? Really great pictures, too. Terrific book for reading to your kids at Christmas time. Just terrific.
December 8, 2008
This beautiful picture book has been recommended to me by many parents as a "must have" holiday read. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and the story is cute.
Joe has been displeased with some of the gifts that Santa has left him in the past, so he is very specific in his letter this year. He wants a real live penguin from Antarctica.
Santa, being the wonderful fellow that he is, comes through! The question is: Is having a penguin all that it is cracked up to be?
Joe has been displeased with some of the gifts that Santa has left him in the past, so he is very specific in his letter this year. He wants a real live penguin from Antarctica.
Santa, being the wonderful fellow that he is, comes through! The question is: Is having a penguin all that it is cracked up to be?
December 24, 2009
My Lesson Notes for 1st Grade
Questions: What do we know about penguins? Have you ever wished for a present that wasn't what you thought it'd be?
Color bookmarks from: http://www.makinglearningfun.com/them.... Students can list the books they read over break on the back.
Silly penguin video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-pDuB....
Read Alikes:
A Mother's Journey
A Penguin Story
And Tango Makes Three
Antarctic Antics: a Book of Penguin Poems
Questions: What do we know about penguins? Have you ever wished for a present that wasn't what you thought it'd be?
Color bookmarks from: http://www.makinglearningfun.com/them.... Students can list the books they read over break on the back.
Silly penguin video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-pDuB....
Read Alikes:
A Mother's Journey
A Penguin Story
And Tango Makes Three
Antarctic Antics: a Book of Penguin Poems
June 23, 2010
My Penguin Osbert is the Christmas gift a boy really wants this year. After last year's mistake, he was really careful to ask for exactly what he wants. What he wants is a penguin and Osbert is delivered. But, caring for a penguin is harder and trickier than he thought. Be careful want you ask for.
Used for "World Traveler's Club: Antarctica" Storytime-June, 2010 and
"Penguin Party" Storytime-July, 2010.
Used for "World Traveler's Club: Antarctica" Storytime-June, 2010 and
"Penguin Party" Storytime-July, 2010.
June 27, 2008
I bought this book solely based on the cute cover and the fact that it was 50% off at Barnes and Noble. I loved it so much I went back the next day and bought another one for my niece and nephews. It's one of my favorite children't books. Clever and funny. The kids love it to.
April 8, 2010
A boy specifically asks for a real penguin for Christmas and gets one. It's pretty funny and the wonderful illustrations make it even better. It's a cute way to teach children that there are consequences for everything - even Christmas presents.
May 27, 2010
Every year Joe writes a letter to Santa but Santa never seems to get it right....except for this year when Joe gets a penguin. Except having a penguin is not exactly what he thought it would be...
The illustrations are watercolor, pastel and digital rendering.
The illustrations are watercolor, pastel and digital rendering.
February 1, 2011
This is for all the kids who wished for a pet--better yet, an exotic pet! What to do after the newness and novelty have worn off? This is one of my recent favorite additions to the season's readings.
August 15, 2011
This book is a lot of fun and has a very heartfelt twist since the child at its center makes a tough choice to do something in the best interest of his friend rather than to keep his friend, the penguin, at home with him. This is a beautiful book and I really enjoyed reading it with my students.
December 12, 2012
My boys love this book. They have had it read to them at school. This is my first christmas reading it, and I agree it's a great christmas story. I love how Joe sticks it out, does what the Penguin wants. Because he did ask for him and now he has him.
December 20, 2012
Sam really wants a penguin for Christmas. However, when he gets one, he realises that don't really live comparable lives, and he writes to Santa to see if a swap is available. Santa comes up with a solution which suits them both.
February 27, 2016
Filled with wry and dry humour as a boy is 'very specific' in his Christmas letter and finally gets exactly what he asks for, even if he has to put up his penguin's predilections for snow, cold and herring. Cute.
September 4, 2014
I really enjoyed this book! Definitely one of my favorite picture books! I liked how it explained that if you want something and you get it, there will probably be consequences that come along with it. Definitely going to be a must read around Christmas time!
January 14, 2016
This book has great illustrations and a cute story to go with it. A great book for Christmas time. I liked how the boy had such a good sense of responsibility when it came to his penguin. It teaches children about putting their pets needs above themselves.
December 19, 2016
This book started out great and cute!
...
But it ended TERRIBLY.
What of responsibility?
What of TAKING WILD ANIMALS from their HABITATS and then just DROPPING THEM OFF AT THE ZOO NONCHALANTLY???
No. Just no.
What a spoiled brat who need to be taught a lesson.
Awful. 0 stars.
...
But it ended TERRIBLY.
What of responsibility?
What of TAKING WILD ANIMALS from their HABITATS and then just DROPPING THEM OFF AT THE ZOO NONCHALANTLY???
No. Just no.
What a spoiled brat who need to be taught a lesson.
Awful. 0 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2015
Cute story about how what we want isn't always what is best for us...to bad the kid doesn't fully learn the lesson.
August 16, 2013
Be careful what you wish for...
December 1, 2017
I really liked how the child in the story kept saying, "Well, I asked for him so I did this or that." Responsible kid.
January 1, 2018
Love! Adorable. The illustrations are so cute and the story is just perfect for Christmas!
December 25, 2017
We were given this book years ago. It immediately became a Christmas favorite. Add it to your collection! The kids will love it. We even have a stuffed penguin whose name became, Osbert.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews