Little Penguins

by Cynthia Rylant, Christian Robinson (Illustrator)

Newbery Medal–winning author Cynthia Rylant and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Christian Robinson pair up to tell this wintry story about five little penguins enjoying a snowy day.
 
Snowflakes? Many snowflakes. Winter is coming. So begins this ever-so-simple story. As the snow starts to fall, the excited penguins pull out scarves, mittens, heavy socks, and boots, and Mama helps them bundle up. But when it’s time to go out, one timid penguin decides to stay home. Filled with waddling baby penguins, playful text, and delightful illustrations, this book feels like a young picture-book classic in the making.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Birds, Juvenile

40 pages, Library Binding

First published October 25, 2016

About the author

An author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.

Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.

from bookrags.com

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

This entire book felt like it was desperate to meet a page count. It takes FOUR pages to say "Snowflakes? Many snowflakes." And guess what - we have to go through "Mittens? Many mittens." (Just two pages) and then after a bit we get "Deep. Deeper. Very deep" in another FOUR pages. Truth be told, pretty much the entire book is done BETTER on the front jacket flap: "Snowflakes? Yes. Mittens? Yes. Scarves? Yes. Boots? Yes. Fun? Yes! Let's go!" Now you know the book, and you can skip it and save the $17.99. The illustrations are no great shakes. The endpapers are more interesting than the book itself.

Even the dedications are dull: "For Sylvie - C. Rylant" "Also for Sylvie - C. Robinson" - give me a break. Someone needs to raise the bar higher.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I swear I don't actually dislike penguins. But I do dislike penguin books that conflate penguins with the Arctic region.

This is basically just a story about children (shown as extremely anthropomorphized penguins here) who experience a fun, snowy day. The illustrations left me cold (no pun intended) and I could not get past the penguins living in igloos. Seriously? Are we going to start our preschoolers off with confusion by showing an Antarctic bird living in a dwelling that's found in the Arctic?

The text is super simple and the illustrations colourful, and I can see little kids who don't know any better liking the book. But I wouldn't recommend it, simply because I don't think it's okay to appropriate Arctic culture to tell an Antarctic story. (Your mileage may vary, of course.) For better books about penguins, try Penguin and the Cupcake by Ashley Spires, Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima, and Polar Opposites by Erik Brooks.

[Mischenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute short story about a penguin family. Adorable book perfect for toddlers up to K.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can see how the minimalist text could be appealing (but wordless would be even better). I can see how the illustrative style has a certain charm. But the whole thing is rather bizarre. Five little penguins and one mom live in an igloo, need boots to go outside, and need warm cookies when they go inside. Wtf? Make them ermines or badgers, something like that, at least, to eliminate some of the dissonance....

I've loved lots by Rylant and will look for others by Robinson, but this is just ridiculous.

[Luann · Rating 2 out of 5]

VERY simple text. I kept thinking, "I could write a book like this!" I think I might have liked this better as a wordless book. The illustrations aren't my favorite, but they do have some nice details and also do most of the work telling the story. I'm clearly not the target audience. I can see it as a favorite for toddlers who learn a book and then like to "read" it to themselves and others. It would also work well in a library storytime.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five little penguin siblings head out into the snow on the first day of winter. There are many snowflakes in the air while they put on mittens, scarves and boots. The snow is very deep by the time they get dressed and outside. They play in the snow and then head back inside where they pull off their winter gear, put their pajamas on, have warm cookies and sippy cups. That night, they are warm in bed but one of them is still looking out the window at winter arriving.

Newbery Award winner, Cynthia Rylant has written this book with exactly the right amount of text for toddlers and young preschoolers. There is a lovely loose rhythm to the words, an excitement of new falling snow that is generated on the page. The rush to get ready, the enjoyment of their time playing outside and the warmth of returning inside to coziness is all nicely captured. Children who love snow themselves will recognize their days in these little penguins.

Robinson’s illustrations make this book very special. His bold colors, strong shapes and use of space create a lot of drama on the page. The way that each little penguin has their own color adds an element that parents and teachers can use to talk about the book. There is also the chance to count to five again and again. The huge flakes of snow are a delight to the eye, creating a feeling of joy and wonder on each page.

A toddler-friendly picture book, this is a cheery book celebrating the coming winter. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Cute book for winter!!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a funny book to lift my mood and Little Penguin hit the spot. My favorite part was when one penguin was on a toboggan while the others slid on their bellies, including the mother in her apron. A great read aloud or story time pick.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

A minimalist story about winter and snow arriving. The little penguins get themselves dressed to go play in the snow, they play, and then come in all cozy. It's as comforting as coming in after playing in the cold, taking off your wet clothes, and wrapping yourself in a warm blanket.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family of junior penguins celebrates the arrival of winter and snow by bundling up and playing outside. Illustration style is simple and iconic. Color palette leans heavily toward blues/greens.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first snow of Winter finds the little penguins enjoying their day playing in the snow, and ending their fun filled day with jammies on, warm cookies, and sippies.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for real littles

[Julie Grace Immink · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're into mittens on penguins

[Chrisanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a picture book for grownups. And it's adorable. But really hard for toddlers to conceptualize what the illustrations do... even though I love love love them. And, since it was presented to me as a good storytime book, my age expectations were different.

[Audrey | WellReadandUndead(ish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little penguins getting dressed to go play in the snow!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

With snow on its way in the not-so-distant future, this picture book might be an excellent choice as a read aloud to anticipate the fluffy white flakes or to hold youngsters at bay as they wait for time to go outside. Five penguins watch outside the window of their igloo as snow starts to fall. They then prepare to go outside by donning appropriate snow gear, including mittens, scarves, socks, and boots. Once they are outside, it is time to frolic briefly before going back inside and taking everything back off again. The little ones get their pajamas on and then enjoy a warm snack before heading to bed. The text is simple yet somehow captures an experience with which many will be able to relate, and the illustrations, created in acrylic pain and cut paper collage, will surely bring to mind Ezra jack Keats' inimitable Snowy Day, only with penguins instead of a boy. I like this one more each time I read it because the text and illustrations somehow edge themselves into my heart and make me think of my own fond memories of growing up and experiencing a rare snowfall in the South. Sometimes it seemed as though it took longer for us to get ready to venture outside into the cold than it did for us to actually spend time outdoors, enjoying the snow. But, oh, what a treat that snowfall was!

[Maria Shuffit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry to say that this picture book didn't hold the charm that I was hoping it would.

There isn't really much of a story to it, and no alliteration or rhyme to catch a child's attention. There is a little repetition, but overall, writing-wise, I found this book to be unfortunately lacking.

The art is a simplistic style that I enjoyed, with colors toned down nicely to fit with the winter theme of the book - all except for one two-page spread that is a sudden burst of colors, to the extend that it really jars a viewer and seems very out of place for the rest of the book.

I've really been enjoying exploring picture books lately, but I would not recommend this particular one.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

With sparse, rhythmic text and a limited palette accented with bright pops of rich color, Rylant and Robinson have created an ode to winter that will warm your heart to its core. Robinson’s visual nods to classics like A Snowy Day are delightful, and Rylant’s conversational tone is perfectly matched with the audience. A perfect read aloud for the youngest readers, especially if paired with warm cookies, sippies, and cozy, warm blanket to snuggle.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great author/illustrator duo. Christian portrayed the penguins in a unique way. The text is so easy that new readers will have no problems connecting with the story. My favorite part of the story is when all the little penguins come back inside after playing in the deep, cold snow. You won't be able to help chuckling when you get to that part.

[Robin Benoit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect picture book to read to a toddler! Very simple text and big, bold pictures make it visually appealing. There are subtle opportunities to count and to talk about colors and seasons, but you can read it just for fun, too!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple writing and charming illustrations. The penguins bundle up and go out in the snow followed by fun and relaxing inside afterward.
Not my favorite by Rylant as I wanted more from the story. Written for preschool level.

[Stefanie Foard · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent winter book for story times!

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the text and the pictures are cute, but why would penguins need any of these things, esp. a sled? I think sliding on your belly is one of the best parts of being a penguin?!

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful tale by Cynthia Rylant about an igloo full of little penguins who want to go out and play in the snow.

[April Connelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a perfect book for a preschool classroom in winter. The illustrations are inviting and the storyline gives many opportunities for discussion.

[Stephanie Chiaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a family, including five young penguins and their parents, who are excited for the beginning of winter. The young penguins, after realizing it was snowing, decided to go outside and play. They put on their mittens, scarves and boots, and headed outside. They played in the deep, deep snow with their mother until they became cold, then went back home, took off all of their winter gear, ate some cookies, drank out of their "sippies," and went to bed. The end.
I suppose this would be a cute book to capture a young, preschool child's attention, who would enjoy playing in the snow, and reading about cute, little penguins. Preschool children may also relate to the penguins because, they too, enjoy cookies and drinking out of their "sippies" on a cold night, after having played in the snow. More critically, the story is appropriate for young children as its simple use of vocabulary appeal to them, and as a short book, children are more likely to listen to the full story.
As an adult, I did not enjoy the book's lack of climax. What was so special about this book? Why would I want to read it to my class? Does it introduce an academic lesson? How about a life lesson? But a preschool book, it works perfectly.

[Tara Schloetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very simple book that would be perfect for very young children or students who are just beginning to read. The storyline follows five penguin siblings who are excited that the winter season is near. The reader watches the penguins get ready to play in the snow by putting on mittens, socks, boots, and scarves. After playing outside, the penguin children go back to their igloo to their parents, who have pajamas, cookies, and drinks ready for them. This book uses very few words and has very short sentences, which are enhanced by the cute and colorful drawings illustrated by Caldecott honor winner Christian Robinson. The only critique I would have of this book is just how few words there are. There are typically about one to four words on each page in the book, and I would have added a little more content to the story if I had written this book. However, this book could still be used in the classroom. I would use Little Penguins in a kindergarten classroom and have students predict what is on the next page. When I would show the page that says “Many snowflakes,” I would ask my students what they think that means. The next page then says “Winter is coming!” so I could then talk with my students about different activities they do in the winter time.

[Krista Ginnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about five little penguins watching the snowflakes, and getting ready to go play in the snow. They are gathering mittens, scarves, socks, and boots to put on and go play in the outdoors. The snow is deep, and getting deeper. Mama comes along with the one little penguin. It is cold, and time to go home. When they get home they take off all their winter gear. The five little penguins put on their jammies, and wait for their warm cookies. Winter is here, and it is time for bed. I thought this was a cute little story. The illustrations are cute as it gives you a visual of the penguins playing in the snow.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five little penguins discover it's snowing! It takes them a while to gather the necessary clothing to go outside. Each little penguin has its own set of mittens, boots and scarves, each in its own color. Finally ready to go outside they revel in the deepness of the snow, sliding down the hill on their bellies. Mother finally joins them by sliding down the hill herself.

And once it becomes to cold to continue everyone trundles home for cookies and milk. Then it's into bed for the littles.

The acrylic paint and cut paper collage illustrations are enchanting and mesmerizing. The story is told in few words making this a great book for toddlers. This will be a hit!