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Daphne
A long, long time ago, the world was a much different place. There were secrets hidden in the crevices of small streets lining the tiniest of Indian villages. There were whispers that ran up the sides of mountains in the Himalayas, and there were wishes that circled the world over and over again--searching for their destinies. These secrets and whispers and wishes were part of a grand design. They were the last vestiges of magic. The remnants and reminders of what is possible and what can be.
Over the years these occurrences have lessened, allowing most to believe that the magicks are gone, that they simply no longer exist. They are wrong. There is still a place where magicks exist, where a wish can come true simply by believing. Beneath the mists of forgotten dreams--nestled under loves forlorn and wishes never wished for--there is magic. In the icy white wonderland where the penguins play, there are still wishes left to wish.
The penguins, seemingly just black and white, are so much more. They are the last magical creatures of the Earth. Through ritual and tradition, the remaining magicks are made into wishes--which each penguin gives up to the sky--wishing their wish through the clouds and up towards the heavens where they are told they hide and find their destiny behind the moon.
But this is not the story of tradition, nor of those wishes that have all but been wished away. This is the story of one penguin who will not abandon her wish to chance.
“This is the deepest, most thought-provoking children’s book I’ve ever read! … I give this book a High Five for it’s thought-provoking plot, it’s beautiful, richly-written text, and the adorable names of the characters – three bunnies that are only out at night – the Dusk Bunnies; the Council Members – Rufus Alfar and Balthum Lazlo. Just like real penguins – very dignified indeed! This is not your ordinary children’s book, but it’s sure to get the older kids involved and interested in the extraordinary plot. They will also be charmed and fascinated by the lives of these very magical penguins.” Gayle Jacobson-Huset Managing Editor/Stories For Children Magazine
Over the years these occurrences have lessened, allowing most to believe that the magicks are gone, that they simply no longer exist. They are wrong. There is still a place where magicks exist, where a wish can come true simply by believing. Beneath the mists of forgotten dreams--nestled under loves forlorn and wishes never wished for--there is magic. In the icy white wonderland where the penguins play, there are still wishes left to wish.
The penguins, seemingly just black and white, are so much more. They are the last magical creatures of the Earth. Through ritual and tradition, the remaining magicks are made into wishes--which each penguin gives up to the sky--wishing their wish through the clouds and up towards the heavens where they are told they hide and find their destiny behind the moon.
But this is not the story of tradition, nor of those wishes that have all but been wished away. This is the story of one penguin who will not abandon her wish to chance.
“This is the deepest, most thought-provoking children’s book I’ve ever read! … I give this book a High Five for it’s thought-provoking plot, it’s beautiful, richly-written text, and the adorable names of the characters – three bunnies that are only out at night – the Dusk Bunnies; the Council Members – Rufus Alfar and Balthum Lazlo. Just like real penguins – very dignified indeed! This is not your ordinary children’s book, but it’s sure to get the older kids involved and interested in the extraordinary plot. They will also be charmed and fascinated by the lives of these very magical penguins.” Gayle Jacobson-Huset Managing Editor/Stories For Children Magazine
127 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 29, 2024
How could I resist such an adorable cover? I’m only human! I should have known.
Alas, if you pardon the pun, Daphne: The Penguin Who Wanted to Fly was neither fish nor fowl nor good red herring. The cover makes a reader think they’re getting a picture book. Instead, it’s a chapter book with a pretty juvenile premise.
Who is the audience for this book? It’s too long and verbose for primary students, and intermediate students (third-, fourth- and fifth-graders) will find the premise silly and Daphne a bit annoying. Adults will reject this book outright, as it’s silly without being charming.
I’m really embarrassed. Although the book is merely 127 pages long, I simply could not finish it. I wish Daphne and her brothers Datne, Dis-One, Dat-One, and DeUdderOne (see what I mean?)
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial in exchange for an honest review.
Alas, if you pardon the pun, Daphne: The Penguin Who Wanted to Fly was neither fish nor fowl nor good red herring. The cover makes a reader think they’re getting a picture book. Instead, it’s a chapter book with a pretty juvenile premise.
Who is the audience for this book? It’s too long and verbose for primary students, and intermediate students (third-, fourth- and fifth-graders) will find the premise silly and Daphne a bit annoying. Adults will reject this book outright, as it’s silly without being charming.
I’m really embarrassed. Although the book is merely 127 pages long, I simply could not finish it. I wish Daphne and her brothers Datne, Dis-One, Dat-One, and DeUdderOne (see what I mean?)
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial in exchange for an honest review.
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January 11, 2024*not rating*
I absolutely love this cover with the penguin, I think it’s so creative and enjoyable. The book itself was written so beautifully, I felt so connected to the writing. I also absolutely loved Daphne’s character and portrayal.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!
I absolutely love this cover with the penguin, I think it’s so creative and enjoyable. The book itself was written so beautifully, I felt so connected to the writing. I also absolutely loved Daphne’s character and portrayal.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!
July 3, 2014
This book is my heart ;)
July 15, 2025
🐧Interesting but confusing.
Penguins were the last magical creatures in this world...
Daphne the little penguin had her routines as soon as she woke up.
She loved making breakfast and taking care of her four little brothers...
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I loved the funny names of the four little penguin brothers!
I really liked the main character, Daphne, who was touching and caring, and her secret wish to be able to fly.
However, I would have liked the story to be a little less confusing and complicated to follow.
Several times I completely lost track of the plot, and it sometimes seemed endless to read...
To discover for fans of the genre.
Penguins were the last magical creatures in this world...
Daphne the little penguin had her routines as soon as she woke up.
She loved making breakfast and taking care of her four little brothers...
-------
I loved the funny names of the four little penguin brothers!
I really liked the main character, Daphne, who was touching and caring, and her secret wish to be able to fly.
However, I would have liked the story to be a little less confusing and complicated to follow.
Several times I completely lost track of the plot, and it sometimes seemed endless to read...
To discover for fans of the genre.
April 2, 2024
Great little short story
This book was a great allegory on holding on to your dreams. It is not very long, but it's a great life lesson.
This book was a great allegory on holding on to your dreams. It is not very long, but it's a great life lesson.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews