What do you think?
Rate this book
My Penguin Osbert in Love
At a South Pole gala, the penguin of Osbert's dreams waddles into his life in a charming return of the winning pair from MY PENGUIN OSBERT.
Joe couldn't be more surprised to find his friend Osbert knocking at his front door — AWOL from the zoo — with an invitation to a South Pole extravaganza under his wing. Since penguins can't fly, and Joe has a helicopter from Santa, the boy is soon piloting a bunch of penguins on a long journey south. But when Osbert ignores the southern lights and only has eyes for a penguin named Aurora, Joe starts to worry. Will he ever get back in time for his own family's midwinter bash?
Joe couldn't be more surprised to find his friend Osbert knocking at his front door — AWOL from the zoo — with an invitation to a South Pole extravaganza under his wing. Since penguins can't fly, and Joe has a helicopter from Santa, the boy is soon piloting a bunch of penguins on a long journey south. But when Osbert ignores the southern lights and only has eyes for a penguin named Aurora, Joe starts to worry. Will he ever get back in time for his own family's midwinter bash?
48 pages, Hardcover
First published December 8, 2008
25 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 5, 2012
We've read My Penguin Osbert and really enjoyed it, so we decided to put this book on hold at our local library. This story takes Joe on a South Pole adventure with Osbert and his friends. It's an entertaining, fantastic story that is fun to read aloud. The idea of piloting a helicopter to exotic locales and getting home in time for dinner is one that would appeal to many children. And it's a love story, too. Valentine's Day doesn't feature all that prominently in the tale, but the South Pole sky-watching Extravaganza occurs on that day. Overall, it's a strange, but interesting story and we enjoyed reading it aloud.
On a side note, I explained the "coincidence" that Osbert's girlfriend's name - Aurora Australis - is also the name of the southern lights that they were watching. We discussed a bit about the scientific light phenomena and the northern version, Aurora Borealis, too. The illustration of the night sky in Antarctica reminded me of a psychadelic version of Van Gogh's Starry Night.
On a side note, I explained the "coincidence" that Osbert's girlfriend's name - Aurora Australis - is also the name of the southern lights that they were watching. We discussed a bit about the scientific light phenomena and the northern version, Aurora Borealis, too. The illustration of the night sky in Antarctica reminded me of a psychadelic version of Van Gogh's Starry Night.
January 2, 2012
This book was so adorable!! Osbert is a penguin & Joe is his human. Osbert and his penguin friends want to go to a party being hosted in Antarctica. Since penguins can't fly, Osbert asks Joe for help. Joe flies all the penguins to the South Pole, where Osbert meets a girl penguin named Aurora. They fall in love, but Joe needs to get home in time for his mother's party. A lovely story that is simply a Valentine must read. <3 =)
July 16, 2013
Loved the illustrations.
The story left something to be desired. When I pick up a picture book and find large sections of text, I think, Really? Are you sure you wouldn't rather write a novel?
The story left something to be desired. When I pick up a picture book and find large sections of text, I think, Really? Are you sure you wouldn't rather write a novel?
January 17, 2021
Joe's penguin Osbert comes from the zoo to visit, and invites Joe to join him at the South Pole Extravaganza to view the Southern lights. But when they finally arrive Joe discovers that Osbert only has eyes for a female penguin by the name of Aurora.
December 20, 2023
This delightful story book follows a young boy who gives a helicopter ride to his friend Osbert the penguin and all of his friends from the zoo when they want to go to the south pole to witness the Southern Lights. The story is simple annd sweet. The art is beautiful.
June 8, 2018
3.5 stars
March 19, 2020
The illustration is the main reason I bought it. It's really eye-catching!!
March 8, 2023
Very cute book for Valentines day!!!
September 15, 2015
Plot summary and personal response:
'My Penguin Osbert in Love' is the sequel to the popular 'My Penguin Osbert' children's book. The fantastical tale is centered around the feelings of the protagonist, a young boy named Joe, as he volunteers to fly his friend, a penguin named Osbert, and his penguin pals, south in his new helicopter. They travel for "a really, really, really long time", persevering until they finally reach the south pole to see the southern lights. However, Osbert is less interested in looking at the lights than his new friend, Aurora Australis and the two little penguins quickly fall in love. Joe is disappointed when his friend seems to care more about spending time with Aurora than adhering to their schedule to leave; he feels that he has lost his friend.
The story offers several important life-lessons about friendship, responsibility, and keeping your promises.
Literary Merit:
The picture book makes a great read-aloud because it is filled with light humor and is appropriate for readers from pre K–grade 4. The personification of the various penguin characters lends humor to the story. The book utilizes first-person narrative, allowing the reader insight into the protagonist, Joe's, experience as he journeys through a wide array of emotions connected to being a friend and coping with worry, disappointment, and jealousy.
Genre Considerations:
This is a picture book. The beautiful watercolor, pastel, and computer art illustrations by famed illustrator, H. B. "Buck" Lewis bring the fictional journey of Osbert, Joe, and their friends to life! The brightly colored illustrations help the reader get a feeling for the various settings in the book, ranging from warm areas in the southern hemisphere to the very cold South Pole. Most vivid are the illustrations depicting the southern lights. These pages, in particular, give the reader a true feel for place and an understanding of the subject-matter.
Reader Response and Classroom Connections:
This story would work well for a number of different unit themes: stories about winter, geography discussions about the areas south of where the students live (states, countries, and the South American continent), units about friendship (helping, making and sharing friends), emotions, responsibility, and keeping your promises. This book would work well paired with a non-fiction selection on southern hemisphere geography or a science text describing the southern lights. A bulletin board display could be created with cut-out penguins (with students names on them). An accompanying art project, creating abstract finger paintings using zip-tie bags could be incorporated to help students understand the movement of the southern lights. Completed artwork could be used to decorate the top of the bulletin board (representing the southern lights).
'My Penguin Osbert in Love' is the sequel to the popular 'My Penguin Osbert' children's book. The fantastical tale is centered around the feelings of the protagonist, a young boy named Joe, as he volunteers to fly his friend, a penguin named Osbert, and his penguin pals, south in his new helicopter. They travel for "a really, really, really long time", persevering until they finally reach the south pole to see the southern lights. However, Osbert is less interested in looking at the lights than his new friend, Aurora Australis and the two little penguins quickly fall in love. Joe is disappointed when his friend seems to care more about spending time with Aurora than adhering to their schedule to leave; he feels that he has lost his friend.
The story offers several important life-lessons about friendship, responsibility, and keeping your promises.
Literary Merit:
The picture book makes a great read-aloud because it is filled with light humor and is appropriate for readers from pre K–grade 4. The personification of the various penguin characters lends humor to the story. The book utilizes first-person narrative, allowing the reader insight into the protagonist, Joe's, experience as he journeys through a wide array of emotions connected to being a friend and coping with worry, disappointment, and jealousy.
Genre Considerations:
This is a picture book. The beautiful watercolor, pastel, and computer art illustrations by famed illustrator, H. B. "Buck" Lewis bring the fictional journey of Osbert, Joe, and their friends to life! The brightly colored illustrations help the reader get a feeling for the various settings in the book, ranging from warm areas in the southern hemisphere to the very cold South Pole. Most vivid are the illustrations depicting the southern lights. These pages, in particular, give the reader a true feel for place and an understanding of the subject-matter.
Reader Response and Classroom Connections:
This story would work well for a number of different unit themes: stories about winter, geography discussions about the areas south of where the students live (states, countries, and the South American continent), units about friendship (helping, making and sharing friends), emotions, responsibility, and keeping your promises. This book would work well paired with a non-fiction selection on southern hemisphere geography or a science text describing the southern lights. A bulletin board display could be created with cut-out penguins (with students names on them). An accompanying art project, creating abstract finger paintings using zip-tie bags could be incorporated to help students understand the movement of the southern lights. Completed artwork could be used to decorate the top of the bulletin board (representing the southern lights).
April 18, 2016
Nice illustrations, but lacking in quality content. The story line is basically about being peer pressured into sneaking out without parents permission to go to a party, getting ditched by a friend for a chick at the party, lining up for the toilet and having the friend want to hang out again when you're about to leave the party so they can get a ride home. Sure, the friend is a penguin, but if your child was treated in the same way this penguin treated Joe, you probably wouldn't be happy about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2009
I thought this was a cute book about a boy and his penguin Osbert. When Osbert shows up with all of his friends from the zoo wanting a trip to the South Pole..... What else are you going to do but fly him in a helicopter there. Cute Story i would use it Valentines day or anytime I wanted to show love. Ages 4+
January 2, 2012
This is a very beautiful book about Osbert the Penguin and his friend Joe, who is always there to help him get to where he needs to go. In this adventure, Osbert needs to go to the South Pole, so Joe flies him there in his helicopter. Once there, Osbert falls in love with Aurora Australis and take her home with him and Joe. The story is adorable and the illustrations are fabulouse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2009
Now I am in love with Osbert...and Joe. These two have such an adventure getting to the South Pole Extravaganza. The party suggestion Author's Note is a great unValentine's Day idea. Maybe a special program theme for late Feb/early March... black tie, naturally.
May 1, 2009
I thought this was a cute book about a boy and his penguin Osbert. When Osbert shows up with all of his friends from the zoo wanting a trip to the South Pole..... What else are you going to do but fly him in a helicopter there. I would use it Valentines day or anytime I wanted to show love. Ages 4+
January 24, 2013
Osbert, the penguin, comes back to visit with his other penguin friends. They need help getting to the South Pole on February 14th. Luckily the boy has a helicopter and takes the penguins there. Osbert finds his lovely penguin and comes flys back with his friend.
June 13, 2009
A little long for the picture book audience. Faith got bored in the middle of the loooong story.
Read
January 14, 2010Since when can a kid fly a helicopter?
January 15, 2010
Although I didn't like this one quite as much as the first, it's still nice. Same tone as the original, gentle and clever.
October 24, 2010
We love Osbert in our family and were so happy to see him fall in love in this sequel. Beautiful, beautiful pictures and a sweet little story :)
July 3, 2011
For my penguin loving son this book this book is a hands down winner. Read every night for 2 weeks since he received it as a gift.
January 2, 2012
Aww Aurora Australis, and Osbert are a perfect couple. This is a good story, and it has pretty pictures, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2013
The idea behind the story was cute, but it was not what I expected. Overall it was pretty boring, but the illustrations were very well done.
April 25, 2014
Funny little story about friendship. I really like the illustrations.
October 1, 2014
Good illustrations, but the story line is weak. just did not hold my interest or that of my toddler as well.
February 12, 2015
Cute. Not as fun as the first one (definitely read that one) but how often do sequels exceed the original?
May 24, 2015
Cute children's picture book with soft artwork, and some extras at the back (food and drink recipes for related party food). No particular message or point to the story though.
April 30, 2009
I lurved the first My Penguin Osbert but this one...not so much. darn it.
Read
December 10, 2009"penguins, Antarctica, helicopter, mediocre review, way long"
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews