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Tacky the Penguin
Tacky’s the odd bird out among all his friends. Will this nonconformist teach old penguins some new tricks and help save the day? Tacky the Penguin is a delightful tale about being true to yourself—even when it means being a little different from everybody else. Tacky likes to do splashy cannonballs and greet his friends with a loud, “What’s happening?” His fellow penguins find his odd behavior somewhat bothersome. But when fearsome poachers come to the iceberg hunting for penguins, Tacky’s odd ways may be just the thing that saves the day. From beloved children’s book author Helen Lester and cherished illustrator Lynn Munsinger, the funny Tacky the Penguin books follow the adventures of one superlative penguin and should not be missed!
32 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 1988
112 people are currently reading
2446 people want to read
About the author
Helen Lester
85 books81 followersHelen Lester is the author of many children’s books. Her background with children includes being a mother of two and a former elementary school teacher of ten years. While at home with her children, Helen realized the importance of quality children’s literature. Helen started her writing career as a struggling author facing many rejections by publishing companies. Her first book was finally published in 1979. Helen Lester is a full-time writer who makes her home in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 612 reviews
February 13, 2025
Tacky the Penguin never gets old.
December 1, 2019
Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect - as the reader might have intuited from their names - were the sort of well-groomed penguins who marched in time. The sort who were graceful divers, sweet singers, and always greeted each other politely. Tacky was a different kind of penguin - a distinctly odd kind. He liked loud shirts, loud greetings, and loud (splashy) cannonballs; and although they were far too polite to comment, his companions looked askance at his many shenanigans. And then one day, three rough and tough hunters arrived, and Tacky's tackiness suddenly came in handy...
The first in series of picture-books devoted to the adventures of this lovable nonconformist, Tacky the Penguin is a hilariously engaging animal story that demonstrates what a blessing it is to be an individual. Lynn Munsinger's droll illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to Lester's tale, emphasizing the zany madcap-antics of her characters. Although long aware of the Tacky books, I had somehow never gotten around to reading them, when a recent Horn Book review of the latest title ( Tacky Goes to Camp ) convinced me to rectify that mistake. How happy I am that I did! I sense another Bad Bears project in the offing...
The first in series of picture-books devoted to the adventures of this lovable nonconformist, Tacky the Penguin is a hilariously engaging animal story that demonstrates what a blessing it is to be an individual. Lynn Munsinger's droll illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to Lester's tale, emphasizing the zany madcap-antics of her characters. Although long aware of the Tacky books, I had somehow never gotten around to reading them, when a recent Horn Book review of the latest title ( Tacky Goes to Camp ) convinced me to rectify that mistake. How happy I am that I did! I sense another Bad Bears project in the offing...
October 29, 2014
HOW MANY TOES DOES A FISH HAVE?
AND HOW MANY WINGS ON A COW?
AND HOW MANY WINGS ON A COW?
September 4, 2009
This is a mildly funny and sweet story about an unconventional penguin and his conformist peers.
For me, the names of all the penguins were the most amusing part of the book.
This book has some good messages: that being odd or different and being your own person can be a huge positive, and that it’s worth it to make friends with those who might, on the surface, seem weird in any way. It could make a great read aloud book for groups of children to discourage them from ostracizing anybody. Along with these lessons, it’s simply a fun book.
For me, the names of all the penguins were the most amusing part of the book.
This book has some good messages: that being odd or different and being your own person can be a huge positive, and that it’s worth it to make friends with those who might, on the surface, seem weird in any way. It could make a great read aloud book for groups of children to discourage them from ostracizing anybody. Along with these lessons, it’s simply a fun book.
January 14, 2016
My son loves this book. He's a reluctant reader, but he reads this one multiple times a day. He even read it to his father while his father was doing the dishes so that his father could "imagine the pictures."
November 18, 2010
Tacky is an odd bird.
Yeah, I just don't dig it. Perhaps that's why none of the kindergarteners this year and last seemed to dig it either. Can you sense ambivalence? I tried it last year when I was trying to build my kindergarten readaloud list (so many places recommend it) and it bombed a bit. Same thing happened this year. Yes, I put energy into my reading.
Tacky's an interesting characters, one with lots of promise. However, I didn't find the book funny. The plots a little odd. I don't particularly like the other penguin's names (6 year olds don't get the joke) nor did I like reading them in one long breath.
That said, many many people love this book. And I'm good with that. I'm just not going to read it during story time anymore.
Yeah, I just don't dig it. Perhaps that's why none of the kindergarteners this year and last seemed to dig it either. Can you sense ambivalence? I tried it last year when I was trying to build my kindergarten readaloud list (so many places recommend it) and it bombed a bit. Same thing happened this year. Yes, I put energy into my reading.
Tacky's an interesting characters, one with lots of promise. However, I didn't find the book funny. The plots a little odd. I don't particularly like the other penguin's names (6 year olds don't get the joke) nor did I like reading them in one long breath.
That said, many many people love this book. And I'm good with that. I'm just not going to read it during story time anymore.
November 28, 2012
This is a great book to show that being different is a good thing. Tacky is an odd bird among his companion penguins, Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect. They did everything right. They marched at a perfect beat while Tacky did his own thing. They sang with beautiful voices while Tacky sang his own off-key song. They were always thinking how different he was and why he wasn't like them. Well when hunters came looking to find the perfect penguins, Tacky came to the rescue. Because he was different, he convinced the hunters that the bunch of them couldn't possibly be the perfect penguins because of the way he marched, and the song he sang off key. In the end, Tacky saved the day as the hunters ran away with their ears covered. This book truly shows how being different is not bad at all and everyone has their own personality, and perhaps being different will be a great thing one day.
LE:
Have the students decorate their own penguin cut out with different materials. Cloth, construction paper, markers, etc. Allow them to create their own Tacky the Penguin and share it with the group.
LE:
Have the students decorate their own penguin cut out with different materials. Cloth, construction paper, markers, etc. Allow them to create their own Tacky the Penguin and share it with the group.
January 25, 2011
This book was about a penguin who marches to his own drummer. A good book to use to teach kids it's ok to be different, very funny, kids loved it.
June 13, 2019
Reread, thanks to a 'score' in an overstuffed Little Free Library. I'm Angel, and my husband is Tacky. He is odd, but often very nice to have around....
September 28, 2011
Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester tells the story of Tacky, a very different penguin than his friends. His friends are named Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect. It's obvious right away just by his name that Tacky doesn't fit in. As you read about Tacky, he does everything different than the other penguins. They dive gracefully, but Tacky cannon balls in. They march in step, and Tacky is all over the place. One day though, hunters come to where the penguins live looking to trap them for money. The other penguins hide, but Tacky approaches the hunters and begins to show that there are no penguins. Tacky begins to sing off key (penguins are known for their beautiful singing) and the other penguins begin to join in. The hunters run away when they can't take it anymore, and the penguins quickly realize that Tacky is a great penguin to have around.
I loved reading about Tacky, as I never had before. This is a great story to read to teach students that it's ok to be different from everyone else, and that sometimes your differences may help you in certain situations. On the cover is a border image of a picture from the story. Tacky is face to face with the hunters in his Hawaiian shirt. The background color is blue, reminding me of the glacier setting. On the back are the "normal" penguins with their noses in the air and Tacky simply walking behind them. The cover page has Tacky doing a cartwheel, which is from the story as well. There is a mix between full-bleed images and border images. At some points, the border image blends into the background and it is hard to distinguish when there is a border. The images are simple, but they showcase how different Tacky is. One of my favorite pictures if Tacky in his swim suit with an inner tube as he waits in line for the other penguins to dive in so that he can do his cannonballs into the water. The pictures always have Tacky with a smile on his face, while his friends are very stuck up. They often have their noses in the air, and their names add to the fact that they think they are better than Tacky. Tacky stands up for himself when the hunters come, and the other penguins only join in when they realize that they need to make the hunters go away. Tacky saved the penguins, and they were grateful at the end. If I were Tacky I would be happy that I was different, and that I was able to save my friends from the hunters. By the end of the story I wanted to read it again and fell in love with Tacky and his ability to be different than his friends. This story teaches a great lesson, and I think any student would enjoy reading this book.
I loved reading about Tacky, as I never had before. This is a great story to read to teach students that it's ok to be different from everyone else, and that sometimes your differences may help you in certain situations. On the cover is a border image of a picture from the story. Tacky is face to face with the hunters in his Hawaiian shirt. The background color is blue, reminding me of the glacier setting. On the back are the "normal" penguins with their noses in the air and Tacky simply walking behind them. The cover page has Tacky doing a cartwheel, which is from the story as well. There is a mix between full-bleed images and border images. At some points, the border image blends into the background and it is hard to distinguish when there is a border. The images are simple, but they showcase how different Tacky is. One of my favorite pictures if Tacky in his swim suit with an inner tube as he waits in line for the other penguins to dive in so that he can do his cannonballs into the water. The pictures always have Tacky with a smile on his face, while his friends are very stuck up. They often have their noses in the air, and their names add to the fact that they think they are better than Tacky. Tacky stands up for himself when the hunters come, and the other penguins only join in when they realize that they need to make the hunters go away. Tacky saved the penguins, and they were grateful at the end. If I were Tacky I would be happy that I was different, and that I was able to save my friends from the hunters. By the end of the story I wanted to read it again and fell in love with Tacky and his ability to be different than his friends. This story teaches a great lesson, and I think any student would enjoy reading this book.
April 18, 2012
Oh, cute! I like this one by the author of "Hooway for Wodney!" Really cute story. And I like the pictures, too. And a nice little moral tucked inside.
6/22/10 & 6/24/10 Fabulous choice for storytime! They loved it. And I had such fun reading the narration, doing voices, and "singing" the songs. I think the children were highly entertained by my reading. (I entertained myself!) And I believe they enjoyed the story, too.
4/18/12 Wonderful wind-up to my Adventures! theme. Of course, it would have to be the week that not only did I have a huge crowd (yay!) but I have been sick for over a week--all throat-related. Still, I couldn't not read Tacky without all my vim and vigor and crazy voices and singing. So I gave my all and glugged the water afterward. I think the kids enjoyed it. Though their younger siblings were definitely getting antsy by the end, so I may have lost some of the attention. But overall it was quite fun and I think kids and adults all enjoyed it. How couldn't they?
6/22/10 & 6/24/10 Fabulous choice for storytime! They loved it. And I had such fun reading the narration, doing voices, and "singing" the songs. I think the children were highly entertained by my reading. (I entertained myself!) And I believe they enjoyed the story, too.
4/18/12 Wonderful wind-up to my Adventures! theme. Of course, it would have to be the week that not only did I have a huge crowd (yay!) but I have been sick for over a week--all throat-related. Still, I couldn't not read Tacky without all my vim and vigor and crazy voices and singing. So I gave my all and glugged the water afterward. I think the kids enjoyed it. Though their younger siblings were definitely getting antsy by the end, so I may have lost some of the attention. But overall it was quite fun and I think kids and adults all enjoyed it. How couldn't they?
July 17, 2017
Tacky the Penguin follows the life of a penguin that is different. Tacky does everything the other penguins do but just a little bit differently. Tacky is never accepted by the other penguin’s because they think that it’s there way or the highway. One day when trouble comes Tacky’s differences are what saves the Penguins. The other penguins are astonished and finally accept Tacky as one of their fellow Penguins. This book would be perfect to teach students the idea of acceptance. It is very important for the classroom community for all students to accept on another so starting they year off with this book would be beneficial. Overall this book is a fun way for young students to see that people’s differences are good and they should accept them. This book can be found at a local library or online at amazon.com.
January 18, 2013
We introduced this "finale`" story this way...
Everybody stand up
Now... tap-tap, tap-tap, tap-tap, tapioca everybody -- FREEZE! (tapping toes or heels)
Now let's slap-slap, slap-slap, slap-slap, slapioca everybody -- FREEZE! (slapping thighs)
Now let's clap-clap, clap-clap, clap-clap, clapioca everybody -- FREEZE! (clapping hands)
Now let's flap-flap, flap-flap, flap-flap, flapioca everybody -- FREEZE (slapping sides)
Last time -- tap-tap, tap-tap, tap-tap, tapioca everybody -- FREEZE! (tapping toes or heels--opposite of what you did the first time)
Hey! That reminds me of a story about a funny little penguin named TACKY!
Go here and watch video clip for tune: http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/thorou...
Everybody stand up
Now... tap-tap, tap-tap, tap-tap, tapioca everybody -- FREEZE! (tapping toes or heels)
Now let's slap-slap, slap-slap, slap-slap, slapioca everybody -- FREEZE! (slapping thighs)
Now let's clap-clap, clap-clap, clap-clap, clapioca everybody -- FREEZE! (clapping hands)
Now let's flap-flap, flap-flap, flap-flap, flapioca everybody -- FREEZE (slapping sides)
Last time -- tap-tap, tap-tap, tap-tap, tapioca everybody -- FREEZE! (tapping toes or heels--opposite of what you did the first time)
Hey! That reminds me of a story about a funny little penguin named TACKY!
Go here and watch video clip for tune: http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/thorou...
September 3, 2010
I thought this was a nice book. I liked that Tacky danced to the beat of his own drum. I find that people have a hard time in doing this. I liked how his personality came through in his actions. I also liked that in the end it was Tacky that saved the day and the others were grateful for what he did. It shows that everyone has a special quality and it just takes the right time for it to come to light for others to see it. I really just like penguins in general so pretty much any story about them I will like.
June 14, 2014
Features: repetition, interesting pictures with facial expression. There's singing, so it makes it fun to do the voices. Fun read!
Moral: it's good to be different or to be tolerant of others' differences.
Moral: it's good to be different or to be tolerant of others' differences.
March 1, 2018
You should never judge a book by its cover! To his friends, he seemed odd but his "odd" behavior wound up saving them. This book teaches children to treat others how you would want to be treated. Great message for young children!
December 3, 2008
If you read it in a crazy voice children will fall in love with this book. Last year's class would sing "How many toes does a fish have?" at recess. Go figure.
October 14, 2014
Our son loved this book. Great for 5 and 6 year olds. Tacky seemed an odd bird to the other penguins but sometimes having a renegade in the crowd has benefits for the whole group. Cute and funny.
October 13, 2018
We laughed as we listened to the audio 😆
February 25, 2018
Tacky is most definitely one of my favorite characters from children's literature. I suppose I should start by saying that if it were possible to have a fictional spirit animal, Tacky would probably be mine. He is a bit odd. He does not quite fit in with the other pretty penguins. He marches to the beat of his own drum (1-2-3, 4-2, 3-6-0, 2 1/2, 0). Nonetheless, Tacky always turns out to be a good bird to have around.
For my full review (with cat picture!), visit my blog:
https://booksonmycat.wordpress.com/20...
For my full review (with cat picture!), visit my blog:
https://booksonmycat.wordpress.com/20...
June 6, 2020
I've had this book for a long time and have been using it at work for years. I once used this book for a class with S's preschool classmates years ago so he was familiar with it, but this was my first time reading it to the girls. L (5) was particularly happy with it and had a little smile of amusement on her face the entire time. Kids in general seem to really enjoy this book. I do think it's a fun story with a nice message that everyone should be appreciated for who they are. I only wish Tacky's friends had come to appreciate him without him needing to save their penguin lives first!
September 27, 2018
Ages: 4 - 8
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
March 14, 2018
This story teaches young children that it is okay to be different and unique. It shows that it does not matter what someone looks like, but rather how selfless, brave, and kind he or she is. This story also introduces suspense, rhyming, and a variety of vocabulary words.
March 20, 2018
This book teaches children that it is okay to be different. It has fun colorful pictures and repeating lines that the children could learn, for an interaction piece. Tacky even dresses different than the other penguins which I thought was a unique twist on being different.
February 3, 2021
I just love picture books that are about marching to the beat of your own drummer. And Tacky quite literally does that, with his 3-6-0-2.5-0 marching. He's penguin who wears floral shirts and likes to do cannonballs, and he's awfully handy to have around.
March 10, 2021
Tacky the penguin is pretty wacky and odd but that's what saved himself and his friends! Another good childhood book where we used to belt out Tacky's song about toes on a fish and wings on a cow just because it was funny.
I did not know there were more Tacky books!!
I did not know there were more Tacky books!!
April 6, 2018
Tacky the silly penguin
Tacky is silly and funny. It’s a good book that kids laugh at. It’s nice to realize that it’s ok to be silly and odd because you can still be a good friend.
Tacky is silly and funny. It’s a good book that kids laugh at. It’s nice to realize that it’s ok to be silly and odd because you can still be a good friend.
November 27, 2018
Adorable and funny. Just be yourself and don't worry about whether you "fit in" or not. A very sweet book.
July 19, 2019
Oh, how I love Tacky. He might be an odd bird but so much fun to have around!
January 7, 2021
This has long been a family favorite 😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 612 reviews