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Little Penguin's Tale
Seven little peguins snuggle together in a cozy huddle as their Grand Nanny Penguin tells them a story of long, long ago.
"Once there was a little penguin just like you," she begins. "Just like you - except he didn't listen to his Grand Nanny's tales."
But wait! One of the seven little peguins isn't listening either.
Just like the penguin of long, long ago, he's sneaking away into the snowy, polar world to have some fun.
As Granny relates each exciting episode of her story, the seventh little peguin encounters the very same adventures in his travels.
The surprising climax of Grand Nanny's story has her little penguins dancing in the snow. Readers will return again and again to Little Penguin's Tale to discover how some of us can just hear a story - and others have to experience it.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
2 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Audrey Wood
78 books299 followersAudrey Wood studied art and drama at the Arkansas Art Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has owned an operated a book and import store, taught chldren's drama and art, and traveled throughout Mexico and Guatemala studying Indian folk art. She now lives in Hawaii with her talented family (husband Don and son Bruce, who have both collaborated with Audrey by illustrating some of her books).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 11, 2020
I loved this book until the last page. Maybe it was designed to make us think. Cute story and pictures about a wayward penguin child.
April 12, 2010
“Little Penguin’s Tale” is a cute story from Audrey Wood and it details the adventures of a naughty penguin who wonders away from home and meets some unusual animals along the way. “Little Penguin’s Tale” is like the Arctic version of “Peter Rabbit” and is surely to be a delight for both children and adults.
Audrey Wood’s latest children’s book is full of color and creativity as it details the adventures of a naughty little penguin who runs away from the other penguins and Grand Nanny Penguin to have a little fun, which turns into a life and death situation as he encounters a giant whale. The story is extremely cute as Audrey Wood illustrates the small penguins like innocent little children listening to Grand Nanny Penguin telling her story. The image that is probably the cutest out of this whole book is the image near the beginning of the book where Grand Nanny Penguin is standing over the six good penguins and the six penguins are munching on fruits that they have found while laying down beneath Grand Nanny Penguin. This image reminded me of how I usually sit around on my mother’s lap while she tells her stories to me. I also loved the way how Little Penguin does indeed get in trouble with the whale when he decides to not listen to his Grand Nanny’s tale and wonder off alone in the snowy place. Audrey Wood uses references to “Peter Rabbit” as both stories depict how naughty youngsters find themselves in trouble when they disobey their authorities. Also, Audrey Wood’s illustrations are beautiful and creative since she draws the landscape of the polar world in various colors such as, orange, blue, yellow, and white. The penguins themselves are adorable and a bit lumpy in some parts of their bodies such as their waists and stomachs, but that adds to the cartoonish flavor of this book and that is what makes this book so unique from other children’s books I have read.
“Little Penguin’s Tale” is an extraordinary tale about penguins from the creative mind of none other than Audrey Wood herself! Young children would be delighted in reading about Little Penguin’s adventures in the unknown and how he outsmarts a hungry whale. This book is best suited for children ages four and up since, other than the whale scenes, there is nothing inappropriate about this book.
From my Epinions Review:
http://www0.epinions.com/review/Book_...
Audrey Wood’s latest children’s book is full of color and creativity as it details the adventures of a naughty little penguin who runs away from the other penguins and Grand Nanny Penguin to have a little fun, which turns into a life and death situation as he encounters a giant whale. The story is extremely cute as Audrey Wood illustrates the small penguins like innocent little children listening to Grand Nanny Penguin telling her story. The image that is probably the cutest out of this whole book is the image near the beginning of the book where Grand Nanny Penguin is standing over the six good penguins and the six penguins are munching on fruits that they have found while laying down beneath Grand Nanny Penguin. This image reminded me of how I usually sit around on my mother’s lap while she tells her stories to me. I also loved the way how Little Penguin does indeed get in trouble with the whale when he decides to not listen to his Grand Nanny’s tale and wonder off alone in the snowy place. Audrey Wood uses references to “Peter Rabbit” as both stories depict how naughty youngsters find themselves in trouble when they disobey their authorities. Also, Audrey Wood’s illustrations are beautiful and creative since she draws the landscape of the polar world in various colors such as, orange, blue, yellow, and white. The penguins themselves are adorable and a bit lumpy in some parts of their bodies such as their waists and stomachs, but that adds to the cartoonish flavor of this book and that is what makes this book so unique from other children’s books I have read.
“Little Penguin’s Tale” is an extraordinary tale about penguins from the creative mind of none other than Audrey Wood herself! Young children would be delighted in reading about Little Penguin’s adventures in the unknown and how he outsmarts a hungry whale. This book is best suited for children ages four and up since, other than the whale scenes, there is nothing inappropriate about this book.
From my Epinions Review:
http://www0.epinions.com/review/Book_...
August 8, 2013
How can you go wrong with a book about penguins I thought to myself when I picked this up off the shelf. What the??? Who writes something like this for little kids? Little Penguin gets eaten by a whale, and then the author goes "Psych".....and it turns out that there is an alternate ending. That's not right.
April 9, 2011
In this book, Grand nanny Penguin tells the little penguins a story of what happened to a little penguin long ago. The little penguin embarked on a journey to explore his surroundings. One his journey, he danced with the gooney birds, joined the walrus at the madcap club, and was eaten by the whale. Wait, he wasn't really eaten Granny says when all the little penguins get sad over the loss of the penguin. When Granny finished her story she talks of how the penguin lost some of his tail feathers to the whale and you notice one of the seven penguins listening has also lost his tail feathers. The story is a cute example of what can happen when you wander away from home alone and the power of stories that are retold from generation to generation.
Possible Activities:
Use this story to introduce folk tales which are also stories that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Students could create tails of their own adventures away from home.
Students could create their own imaginary creature and write a story about it.
Book could be used to introduce the following vocabulary: rickety, cheered, jolly,wandered, weary, gobbled, clever, break(of dawn), and chaps.
Possible Activities:
Use this story to introduce folk tales which are also stories that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Students could create tails of their own adventures away from home.
Students could create their own imaginary creature and write a story about it.
Book could be used to introduce the following vocabulary: rickety, cheered, jolly,wandered, weary, gobbled, clever, break(of dawn), and chaps.
April 26, 2014
Little Penguin's Tale is a story about a penguin who wanders off away from his group. His grandma is telling the story and is using it as a lesson to the other young penguins. The little penguin gets into some funny situations as well as some dangerous ones. In the end, the penguin ends up almost getting eaten by a whale but escapes. He ends up losing his tail and that is why the book is funny because it's not only a tale, it's about how a little penguin loses his tail. I liked this story because the illustrations were really entertaining and the lesson learned is to not stray away and get into bad situations. I would recommend this book for a younger reader and as a lesson I would use it to talk about bad situations. Though it may be a little of a stretch I still think it could be used for this.
March 1, 2010
Here is a tale of a little penguin told by the nanny penguin. The young penguin sneaks of on a adventure of his own because he never listen to nanny's story, and it ended with him being aten by a whale but the little penguins hearing the story cried so it ended up with him making it home but missing some feathers.
When reading through this picture book you can't help but to stop and look at every picture. The story isn't the main focus throughout the book. Each picture uses the page to the fullest and sometimes even has the art work falling of the page. Along with using outstanding color for each image the also show some texture so show the water splashing or the penguin playing. This truely is a book that uses the art to the fullest.
When reading through this picture book you can't help but to stop and look at every picture. The story isn't the main focus throughout the book. Each picture uses the page to the fullest and sometimes even has the art work falling of the page. Along with using outstanding color for each image the also show some texture so show the water splashing or the penguin playing. This truely is a book that uses the art to the fullest.
March 4, 2010
This book is one that teaches a lesson. A grandmother penguin is sharing a story of long long ago in order to teach the young penguins the dangers of running off.
A book of brightly colored pictures, the illustrator used the space available on each page wisely. The illustrations covered the entire page on both pages throughout the book. The pictures are extremely eye catching but do not detract from the words. Each picture helps the reader have a better understanding of what the book is saying. I find that this book would probably be an extremely intersting book for children not only because of the message conveyed but the interesting and colorful illustrations.
A book of brightly colored pictures, the illustrator used the space available on each page wisely. The illustrations covered the entire page on both pages throughout the book. The pictures are extremely eye catching but do not detract from the words. Each picture helps the reader have a better understanding of what the book is saying. I find that this book would probably be an extremely intersting book for children not only because of the message conveyed but the interesting and colorful illustrations.
January 15, 2012
This is a funny and somewhat odd story about a grandmother penguin telling little penguins about a naughty little penguin who had an adventure. It's a cautionary tale that shows what can happen if you don't listen to your grandmother, but she does agree to modify the sad ending for the sake of her listeners. The illustrations are colorful and the story is entertaining.
January 28, 2015
A tale about a little penguin who wandered away from his Grand Nanny and friends to have an adventure. Each time you think something horrible will happen, it doesn't. Until the end, that is. When Grand Nanny sees the young ones' reaction to her story, she swiftly changes the ending to be much less dire.
Good for preschool storytimes.
Good for preschool storytimes.
January 14, 2014
A nanny penguin tells the story of what a little penguin should not do, while she is telling the story a little penguin does what she warns not to do... Used this for setting, talking about Antarctica, but its a great story about children ignoring the warnings of adults
March 2, 2016
Didn't choose this one based on the fact that the little penguins are all eating tropical fruit. For no reason -_- I know that is a silly reason... oh, well. Also, there really weren't any redeeming qualities in my opinion. The story was just... Meh.
March 8, 2018
Cute illustrations, but not a great story. My objection to this book is that the little penguin goes to the Walrus Club. The two species are literally at polar opposites. Yes, it's a children's book, but let's keep the facts straight for the kids, ok?
September 6, 2008
Nice illustrations of a nonsensical adventure.
February 3, 2009
Cautionary tale about a little penguin who strays far away from home and almost doesn't make it back.
April 24, 2009
Little Penguin has lots of adventures.
May 17, 2009
Gotta love any book with Gooney Birds!
May 28, 2010
My 2.5 year old daughter liked this.
August 12, 2016
A cute little story, a cautionary tale for little penguins. It gave our second-graders lots to discuss with each other.
October 23, 2014
I read this book because I have liked other books by Audrey Wood and wanted to see how this one was. I enjoyed the story and the twist near the end gave a good ending for children.
January 24, 2015
A funny little story about what can happen when a little penguin decides to look for fun in the snow far away from home. A cautionary tale with a cute ending.
February 5, 2015
At School
April 15, 2015
Cute story.
December 2, 2016
This is such a cute penguin story. It shows that you should listen to your Grand Nanny!
January 26, 2019
The pictures are adorable and I like that it's penguins, but the story is build up about little penguin's adventure only to have it abruptly end.
September 3, 2018
The little penguin goes out, against the warnings of Grandma Nanny penguin, to explore the world. She dances with Gooney Birds, but is she safe from danger?
December 2, 2021
This folk tale is a precautionary story about a little penguin that does not heed the advice of his Grand Nanny penguin and ends up in a dangerous situation. The illustrations are worth taking a moment to look over (or point out if reading to an audience) - they are detailed and vibrant and give little hints of what may be about to happen next in the story. The book begins with Grand Nanny Penguin surrounded by a group of little penguins, clearly excited for story time. She tells them a “tale of long, long ago” about a little penguin who gets lost far away from home. As the story starts, you see one of the little penguins tiptoe away from story time. Grand Nanny’s story continues, detailing the grand adventures of the little penguin as he meets gooney birds, sails the ocean, joins all sorts of animals at a Walrus Club, and meets a whale in a very unfortunate way. The story is written in a way that keeps the reader engaged, wondering if the Grand Nanny is telling a story from long ago, or narrating the story of the penguin who wandered away from story time. I love the twist at the end of the folk tale where Grand Nanny adjusts the story after realizing how upset her little penguin audience becomes.
This folk tale within a folk tale keeps readers guessing the entire time, wondering where the tale Grand Nanny is telling ends and the adventures of one of her little listeners begins. It would be a delightful addition to a K-2 classroom library. In the classroom, this story could foster discussion about making predictions, giving way to a turn-and-talk brainstorm session amongst students about what may happen next. It also aligns with a lesson in making good choices and heeding the advice of elders, highlighting the advice given throughout the book (and passed down from long, long ago) with the repetitive phrase “now everyone knows…”.
This folk tale within a folk tale keeps readers guessing the entire time, wondering where the tale Grand Nanny is telling ends and the adventures of one of her little listeners begins. It would be a delightful addition to a K-2 classroom library. In the classroom, this story could foster discussion about making predictions, giving way to a turn-and-talk brainstorm session amongst students about what may happen next. It also aligns with a lesson in making good choices and heeding the advice of elders, highlighting the advice given throughout the book (and passed down from long, long ago) with the repetitive phrase “now everyone knows…”.
August 10, 2022
Here is a story where you will have to suspend your belief to be able to get into this book of fruit-eating penguins who hang from nonexistent trees, of walrus and other crazy creatures thinking that Antarctica would be the best place for a club in a place they have never been to a and a walrus who not only looks like he has a clown mask on but somehow finds a provider to decorate him out in candy canes. And here in this crazy land that doesn't follow rules you have young penguins who not only don't look like young penguins but also don't eaten by skuas after leaving their nursery.
The writing is easy to read and follow along so young readers should have no problems in picking up this book to read. You may have to explain what madcap to them and perhaps gooney birds but otherwise everything else is quite explanatory reader-wise.
Little Penguin's Tale is illustrated with brightly colored illustrations that take up the full page. Not only can you trace Little Penguin as the story is being told of him denying everything that is meant to befall naughty penguins but you can see the rest of the penguin posse cavorting in the background as well as that particular orca lurking.
To me all the incorrections of the book just took away from a story, which could have been bearable. But to those who have children that enjoyed the picture book Have You Seen My Duckling? this is definitely a step up from a picture book to a book with text while focusing on a similar theme.
The writing is easy to read and follow along so young readers should have no problems in picking up this book to read. You may have to explain what madcap to them and perhaps gooney birds but otherwise everything else is quite explanatory reader-wise.
Little Penguin's Tale is illustrated with brightly colored illustrations that take up the full page. Not only can you trace Little Penguin as the story is being told of him denying everything that is meant to befall naughty penguins but you can see the rest of the penguin posse cavorting in the background as well as that particular orca lurking.
To me all the incorrections of the book just took away from a story, which could have been bearable. But to those who have children that enjoyed the picture book Have You Seen My Duckling? this is definitely a step up from a picture book to a book with text while focusing on a similar theme.
January 9, 2021
This is yet another kid's book that I snagged from a Little Free Library in the Outer Banks, just so I could read it and put it immediately back. Penguins are by far my favorite animal of all time, so I couldn't not read this little book! It is beyond cute, and takes a small dark turn (for only a page) that as an adult shocked me in a perfect way!! If you have little ones, this is definitely a storybook that they will love, but has some humor for adults too.
.
The illustrations are adorable, and Wood finds a way to both tell a story while showing an entirely second version of events that is also happening. I very rarely see this in children's books, so it was a pleasant surprise. This also leads me to believe that a child would have one understanding of the story, and as they grow older their understanding would grow with them.
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The illustrations are adorable, and Wood finds a way to both tell a story while showing an entirely second version of events that is also happening. I very rarely see this in children's books, so it was a pleasant surprise. This also leads me to believe that a child would have one understanding of the story, and as they grow older their understanding would grow with them.
July 27, 2024
the artwork in this book is amazing. So colorful and full of vivacity and energy. Lots of contrasts between orange and blue. Just beautiful.
The story is supposed to be funny and maybe kids would find it funny. It was a little odd tale. A grandmother penguin is telling a story about one of the kids in the group as it happens, it appears. It was trying to be all wacky and zany and I thought it missed the mark on that. The artwork saves it from being 2 stars.
The story is supposed to be funny and maybe kids would find it funny. It was a little odd tale. A grandmother penguin is telling a story about one of the kids in the group as it happens, it appears. It was trying to be all wacky and zany and I thought it missed the mark on that. The artwork saves it from being 2 stars.
April 26, 2021
Grand Nanny Penguin tells her charges a story about a little penguin who doesn't listen and runs off. Life imitates art because one of the penguins from their group acts does stray away and get into trouble.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews