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Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin
Jonty the little gentoo penguin longs to find his true home at the South Pole.
One night, he sneaks out of the zoo and sets off on an amazing adventure, all the way to Antarctica (with an accidental detour to the North Pole!)
Children will be cheering Jonty on as he finally finds his way, in this captivating story of bravery, friendship, and finding your place in the world.
One night, he sneaks out of the zoo and sets off on an amazing adventure, all the way to Antarctica (with an accidental detour to the North Pole!)
Children will be cheering Jonty on as he finally finds his way, in this captivating story of bravery, friendship, and finding your place in the world.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2024
About the author
Julia Donaldson
1,235 books1,965 followersGrowing up
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 21, 2025
An honourable namesake, to be sure.
August 8, 2025
A definite return to form by the dream team of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler - with as usual a great narrative from Donaldson and peerless accompanying illustrations from Scheffler.
This time around it's the story of Jonty the Gentoo penguin and his quest to travel from his home at the zoo all the way to the South Pole, the natural habitat of the Gentoo penguins.
As you can well imagine, the story is fraught with mild jeopardy as well as helpful happenings along the way.
Donaldson and Scheffler at their very best and a really lovely book.
This time around it's the story of Jonty the Gentoo penguin and his quest to travel from his home at the zoo all the way to the South Pole, the natural habitat of the Gentoo penguins.
As you can well imagine, the story is fraught with mild jeopardy as well as helpful happenings along the way.
Donaldson and Scheffler at their very best and a really lovely book.
September 22, 2024
Flippin’ marvellous
October 1, 2024
As a penguin lover, what’s not to love?! 🐧
August 15, 2025
We read this before bed all the time!
April 12, 2026
A nice read 😊 My daughter loved this one very much!
January 9, 2025
Who doesn’t love a penguin?
I’ve been waiting to read this latest book by the ace team of Julie Donaldson and Axel Scheffler to my grandchildren for quite a while now. But it has been all “Tiddler” following its debut on TV at Christmas and the usual suspects.
Some may remember the worldwide travels of “The Snail and The Whale” but “Jonty Gentoo, The Adventures of a Penguin” is more impressive still, more Michael Palin when he travels from Pole to Pole.
Living in a zoo Jonty hears tales from his aunts about where in world he is from, the South Pole. It is there that his penguin relatives live.
One day he escapes and his epic journey begins.
Julie Donaldson is in rhyming mood as see spins her tale. It flows and captures the effort and determination of the young penguin to get ‘home’. Axel’s drawings and illustrations are always child friendly and remain memorable for my young ones. When the flightless bird meets a whale in this travels my 3 year old immediately shouts the snail and the whale.
I love reading these books to my grandchildren and this one is another sure winner. I particularly like the additional details here. Jonty makes it to Antarctica after first swimming north and his quest is only made possible with the help of friends he meets along the way. As an afterword the author provides more details and facts about the Arctic tern. “Amazing Birds”.
Such extra information is a further delight for my 6 year old who soaks up facts and likes a book the compliments his world view seen through the lens of David Attenborough.
I’ve been waiting to read this latest book by the ace team of Julie Donaldson and Axel Scheffler to my grandchildren for quite a while now. But it has been all “Tiddler” following its debut on TV at Christmas and the usual suspects.
Some may remember the worldwide travels of “The Snail and The Whale” but “Jonty Gentoo, The Adventures of a Penguin” is more impressive still, more Michael Palin when he travels from Pole to Pole.
Living in a zoo Jonty hears tales from his aunts about where in world he is from, the South Pole. It is there that his penguin relatives live.
One day he escapes and his epic journey begins.
Julie Donaldson is in rhyming mood as see spins her tale. It flows and captures the effort and determination of the young penguin to get ‘home’. Axel’s drawings and illustrations are always child friendly and remain memorable for my young ones. When the flightless bird meets a whale in this travels my 3 year old immediately shouts the snail and the whale.
I love reading these books to my grandchildren and this one is another sure winner. I particularly like the additional details here. Jonty makes it to Antarctica after first swimming north and his quest is only made possible with the help of friends he meets along the way. As an afterword the author provides more details and facts about the Arctic tern. “Amazing Birds”.
Such extra information is a further delight for my 6 year old who soaks up facts and likes a book the compliments his world view seen through the lens of David Attenborough.
July 18, 2025
Our Review...
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the beloved author and illustrator duo of The Gruffalo, Room On The Broom and countless other picture story books, return with another beautiful story Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin—a heartwarming, rhyming tale perfect for reading aloud.
Jonty Gentoo is a young penguin living in a zoo, dreaming of a snowy land he’s never seen. When he spots a gap in the fence, he makes a bold escape—and his great adventure begins. But Jonty heads in the wrong direction and ends up at the North Pole, where he’s taken in by a friendly polar bear.
With the help of a wise arctic tern, Jonty sets off again, journeying through vast oceans, swimming with swordfish and whales, and even hitching a ride on a boat. Eventually, he arrives at the South Pole, where he is welcomed by not only the magnificent Emperor and Adélie penguins, but also the fabulous Gentoo, his family.
Filled with Donaldson’s playful verse and brought to life by Scheffler’s distinctive illustrations, Jonty Gentoo is a funny, heartfelt story about following your instincts, facing the unknown, and finding where you truly belong.
Review by Jess R @ Great Escape Books
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the beloved author and illustrator duo of The Gruffalo, Room On The Broom and countless other picture story books, return with another beautiful story Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin—a heartwarming, rhyming tale perfect for reading aloud.
Jonty Gentoo is a young penguin living in a zoo, dreaming of a snowy land he’s never seen. When he spots a gap in the fence, he makes a bold escape—and his great adventure begins. But Jonty heads in the wrong direction and ends up at the North Pole, where he’s taken in by a friendly polar bear.
With the help of a wise arctic tern, Jonty sets off again, journeying through vast oceans, swimming with swordfish and whales, and even hitching a ride on a boat. Eventually, he arrives at the South Pole, where he is welcomed by not only the magnificent Emperor and Adélie penguins, but also the fabulous Gentoo, his family.
Filled with Donaldson’s playful verse and brought to life by Scheffler’s distinctive illustrations, Jonty Gentoo is a funny, heartfelt story about following your instincts, facing the unknown, and finding where you truly belong.
Review by Jess R @ Great Escape Books
October 17, 2024
Thanks to Scholastic for the copy of this book.
Not sure we'd expect anything different from Julia and Axel. Perfect story, perfect illustrations.
Jonty the Gentoo penguin lives in the zoo with his family. He knows that this is safe, he's with his family and he's fed. But he wants to meet the other gentoos at the South Pole. One night he escapes and sets off on a journey but....he's in the wrong cold place - he's at the North Pole.
An artic tern is surprised when she lands in the North, she says she normally sees penguins in the South! He asks if she will show him the way, but is he strong enough all the way back.
Lovely book.
Not sure we'd expect anything different from Julia and Axel. Perfect story, perfect illustrations.
Jonty the Gentoo penguin lives in the zoo with his family. He knows that this is safe, he's with his family and he's fed. But he wants to meet the other gentoos at the South Pole. One night he escapes and sets off on a journey but....he's in the wrong cold place - he's at the North Pole.
An artic tern is surprised when she lands in the North, she says she normally sees penguins in the South! He asks if she will show him the way, but is he strong enough all the way back.
Lovely book.
November 22, 2024
De Nederlandse vertaling Pimmetje Pinguïn is uiteraard verzorgd door Bette Westera.
Lekker op rijm, hoewel je wel eerst moet oefenen voordat je het juiste ritme te pakken hebt.
Misschien ben ik een beetje teveel een natuur-freek, maar het stoort me dan toch dat ik in het nawoord lees dat de baardrob in het verhaal niet bedreigend kan zijn voor een pinguïn. Niet alleen omdat ze elkaar nooit zouden tegenkomen, want die ontmoeting is natuurlijk onderdeel van de reis van Pimmetje, maar omdat de baardrob vooral schelpdieren eet.
Ik houd er gewoon van als alle details kloppen. En al helemaal in kinderboeken.
Lekker op rijm, hoewel je wel eerst moet oefenen voordat je het juiste ritme te pakken hebt.
Misschien ben ik een beetje teveel een natuur-freek, maar het stoort me dan toch dat ik in het nawoord lees dat de baardrob in het verhaal niet bedreigend kan zijn voor een pinguïn. Niet alleen omdat ze elkaar nooit zouden tegenkomen, want die ontmoeting is natuurlijk onderdeel van de reis van Pimmetje, maar omdat de baardrob vooral schelpdieren eet.
Ik houd er gewoon van als alle details kloppen. En al helemaal in kinderboeken.
October 1, 2025
„Мечтателят Джонти“ (изд. Жанет 45) е новата вълнуваща римувана приказка от Джулия Доналдсън, позната на милиони деца по света, и с илюстрациите на нейния дългогодишен творчески партньор Аксел Шефлър. На български историята оживява с римите на поетесата Мария Донева, която отново успява да предаде магията на оригинала в звучна, ритмична и остроумна форма. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
February 13, 2025
Got this to read to my 2 year old but the 8 and 7-year-olds stopped to listen, too. Julia Donaldson's books are always fun to read with great rhymes and enjoyable stories, and Axel Scheffler's illustrations really bring them to life. This one is about a penguin finding where he belongs, but his journey also teaches us about different polar animals and migratory birds.
We all liked it. Also, there's something weirdly satisfying about saying "Jonty Gentoo" 😂
We all liked it. Also, there's something weirdly satisfying about saying "Jonty Gentoo" 😂
January 28, 2026
The illustrations are worth five stars by themselves! The story gets four so I'll settle on 4.5 stars.
Jonty is a Gentoo penguin living in the zoo. When he learns about the penguins in the wild, he sets off to find his way there. Adventures ensues!
A little on the long side, this is a great group read aloud with a spread at the back containing some very brief info about artic terns and gentoo penguins.
Jonty is a Gentoo penguin living in the zoo. When he learns about the penguins in the wild, he sets off to find his way there. Adventures ensues!
A little on the long side, this is a great group read aloud with a spread at the back containing some very brief info about artic terns and gentoo penguins.
October 7, 2024
I really liked this book! The rhyming structure was fun and the story was actually interesting as we follow Jonty in his journey to the South Pole. The back of the book has some interesting information about some of the animals we met as well.
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Note: I received a finished copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Note: I received a finished copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2025
This successful duo who created, among others, “The Gruffalo” and “Room on the Broom” have done it again. After hearing stories about the South Pole, Jonty escapes from the zoo and heads to the South Pole to meet other Gentoo penguins. With rhymes and cleaver illustrations, we follow Jonty, but oh no, he’s going in the wrong direction!
January 5, 2025
My dad got me this for Christmas, so of course I had to read it for 2024! Very cute book. I was scared when Jonty encountered a polar bear that the book was incorrect (polar bears in the North only, penguins in the South only) but it turned out Jonty had gone the wrong way! Lovely illustrations, as to be expected.
January 14, 2026
Such a cute book, with the occasional rhyme, about a penguin’s escape from the zoo in search of finding other penguins. Of course he ends up at the wrong pole in the begging by arriving to the North Pole. Jonty finds friend in the end to help him find the South Pole and where he finally meets other penguins like him. Great for K-2nd grade.
July 19, 2025
I liked this one because it was also educational! The story of a penguin who wants to find the South Pole and those that help him after he escapes from the zoo. He definitely takes the scenic route! The author talks about several different types of penguins and about the migrating habits of terns.
September 15, 2025
JD is one of the best children’s writers for a generation. I loved the adventure, the drawings (shout out to Axel S!) and also learning about penguins and other animals at the end of the book. It was really brilliant!
September 6, 2024
Another classic from Jules!
September 18, 2024
Another gorgeous book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, instant family favourite for us ❤️🐧
October 3, 2024
entertaining, and effortless educational. This pair of storytellers are remarkably consistent.
October 22, 2024
A great book for penguin-lovers, though my kids saw some similarities between this book at the movie Madagascar and questioned why the polar bear wasn't a predator.
November 11, 2024
This was actually quite fun. The rhyming was fun, the pictures were fun, and the story was fun. And we got to do a little bit of learning along the way. :-)
November 15, 2024
A cute and fun tale about a penguin who escapes from the zoo to go to the South Pole to be with others of his kind.
Kids will really enjoy this book and adults alike while reading to them
Kids will really enjoy this book and adults alike while reading to them
November 30, 2024
A really sweet story, and we were very happy to see a new Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book, always a joy!
December 12, 2024
Brilliantly illustrated, a book that can span many ages as a read with or read independently title. Great characterisation too!
December 19, 2024
The rhyming was awkward at times, but I liked following his adventures through the ocean and seeing what Jonty saw.
January 1, 2025
Читаємо із сином українською. Завжди тішить коли такі чудові книжки з'являються в українському перекладі!
March 30, 2025
Not a standout from these two, but definitely worth a read nonetheless
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews