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Penguin Dreams
In this inventive picture book, a penguin learns to fly—at least, in his dreams.
36 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
49 people want to read
About the author
J. Otto Seibold
34 books39 followersAmerican artist and children's book creator. With no formal art training, he was able to sneak into the art world during the "outsider art" craze of the 1990s. His book Mr. Lunch Takes a Plane Ride, published by Viking in 1993, was the first children's picture book to be created with digital media. His 1997 book Olive, the Other Reindeer led to an animated television special of the same name.
His art has been shown at Mass MOCA, Deitch Projects NYC, The Getty LA, Contemporary Jewish Museum SF, Grass Hut Portland, MOCA LA, The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts SF, Gallery Paule Anglim SF, Oakland Museum CA, Juxtapoz Gallery Detroit, and Galerie Impare in Paris. He has done freelance illustration for years including clients such as Nike, Time Warner, Girl Skateboards, Pixar, Comcast, Giant Robot, Target, TiVo, 826 Detroit, Quaker Oats, Fox Entertainment, Gnu Skateboards, Swatch, and Nordstrom.
His book Penguin Dreams was named a New York Times "Best Illustrated Book". Mr. Lunch Takes a Plane Ride won a Cuffie Award from Publisher's Weekly; Mr. Lunch won for most memorable character in a lead role. Going to the Getty won an Art Directors Club Illustration Award. Olive, the Other Reindeer was a New York Times Bestseller and the movie version was nominated for an Emmy Award.
James has three children and resides in Oakland, California.
His art has been shown at Mass MOCA, Deitch Projects NYC, The Getty LA, Contemporary Jewish Museum SF, Grass Hut Portland, MOCA LA, The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts SF, Gallery Paule Anglim SF, Oakland Museum CA, Juxtapoz Gallery Detroit, and Galerie Impare in Paris. He has done freelance illustration for years including clients such as Nike, Time Warner, Girl Skateboards, Pixar, Comcast, Giant Robot, Target, TiVo, 826 Detroit, Quaker Oats, Fox Entertainment, Gnu Skateboards, Swatch, and Nordstrom.
His book Penguin Dreams was named a New York Times "Best Illustrated Book". Mr. Lunch Takes a Plane Ride won a Cuffie Award from Publisher's Weekly; Mr. Lunch won for most memorable character in a lead role. Going to the Getty won an Art Directors Club Illustration Award. Olive, the Other Reindeer was a New York Times Bestseller and the movie version was nominated for an Emmy Award.
James has three children and resides in Oakland, California.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 3, 2020
Who knew these strange flightless birds had such wild flights of fancy while unconscious? Not a lot of plot here - just a visual feast of Seibold's artwork.
February 29, 2016
Author and Illustrator:
The illustrate for the book " Penguin Dreams" is so funny, and I could picture when my students read those pictures they will laugh.
Personal Response to the Book:
It is a fun book for students to read by themselves, and in the book there are lots of sound words and I think my students would like to sound all those words out when they read this book!
The illustrate for the book " Penguin Dreams" is so funny, and I could picture when my students read those pictures they will laugh.
Personal Response to the Book:
It is a fun book for students to read by themselves, and in the book there are lots of sound words and I think my students would like to sound all those words out when they read this book!
January 20, 2025
2001 May 13
What are penguin dreams? Cool, of course. Also, weird. This has more the feel of a David Wiesner book, although the art remains true to Seibold's distinctive style.
***
2013 July 22
I read it aloud to the PandaBat last night while we were waiting for Merlin to load on Netflix. Yes, we are attracted to fantasy. He shares my admiration for the incredibly cool two page spreads in which Chingi Chongo is flying through space, and then space turns out to be the complex world of underwater. Also, he loved the bat. Weird and cool and wonderful.
Library copy.
What are penguin dreams? Cool, of course. Also, weird. This has more the feel of a David Wiesner book, although the art remains true to Seibold's distinctive style.
***
2013 July 22
I read it aloud to the PandaBat last night while we were waiting for Merlin to load on Netflix. Yes, we are attracted to fantasy. He shares my admiration for the incredibly cool two page spreads in which Chingi Chongo is flying through space, and then space turns out to be the complex world of underwater. Also, he loved the bat. Weird and cool and wonderful.
Library copy.
January 8, 2018
Did someone slip me drugs? What just happened?
May 7, 2019
I hate to give a low rating to a sweet little innocent children's book but this was the most confusing thing!
June 16, 2019
This penguin has very strange dreams! The art is fantastic!
August 3, 2008
First, let me say that the artwork is really cool.
The story though... it's about what you'd expect from a dream. It jumps around a lot. I like it, my nieces like it, but I can appreciate that some kids might not get it. That's cool.
Very short, as well. If your kid gets into it, that means it's great for hurried bedtimes.
The story though... it's about what you'd expect from a dream. It jumps around a lot. I like it, my nieces like it, but I can appreciate that some kids might not get it. That's cool.
Very short, as well. If your kid gets into it, that means it's great for hurried bedtimes.
January 27, 2009
Rated by my 4 & 5 year old students.
March 22, 2010
You could use this book when working on a science lesson or just for fun during the winter.
October 9, 2021
penguins fly under water
July 18, 2017
Cute, but a little disappointing. It could have been better.
May 10, 2018
This book is great for children with a big imagination, or possibly an adult experimenting with LSD.
February 14, 2020
fun pictures, but not a good fit for any unit about penguins, even for older children who understand the concept of dreaming
June 7, 2021
I like that he flew over other penguins.
December 9, 2024
A weird book, but perfect for the right kid. Fantastical penguin happenings that end up having been a dream. A small book with too many details to use for storytime, in my opinion.
June 27, 2020
This is a fun book to read to children about a penguin who flies in his dreams. It could spark a conversation about "What is something you do in your dreams that you wish you could do when you are awake?"
December 18, 2013
Cute story. Penguins probably do wish they could fly. Very lovely illustrations. This would work nicely for the littles for storytime because it's super short, has fun pictures, and is full of cool sounds they can help make.
January 18, 2016
The description tells me that the penguin will fly...at least in his dreams.
The books shows the penguin flying...at least in his dreams.
Frankly, everyone wins in this situation.
April 3, 2009
Cute childrens' picture book. Cute drawings.
Read
October 9, 2009Penguin Dreams (I Can Sleep Book) by J. Otto Seibold (1999)
March 9, 2012
Usually I really like penguins but I didn't get this book at all. Could totally just be me though.
February 19, 2016
WAY TOO WERID
February 17, 2015
love Seibold's illustrations
April 21, 2016
Illustrations show the imagination that can occur in one simple dream!
July 11, 2009
Nice drawings, vivid colors... nice bedtime read for the little ones.
April 12, 2017
Super cute. Super weird.
Read
April 19, 2018I would have this book in my class library because I think it can be a story that might not be engaging to everyone. It tells the story about how a penguin learns to fly in his dreams. As they are dreams, the story is a bit weird some times, but I find it very entertaining and with not a lot of words. The illustrations are very detailed and for many students I think this would be a good book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews