Follow Peanut, an adorable little penguin, through his journey as he tries to share his unique gift for singing. He wants to sing to the other penguins on his shore but there is one problem. He only sings at night, which annoys the other penguins that want to sleep. With his family's support he tries to find a way to make everyone, including himself happy. For kids 3 to 8 years.
I love children’s books that teach social and emotional lessons and this story was no exception. It had valuable life lessons about sharing your talents but also that there is a time and place for everything. Everyone has a unique gift they can use to make the world a better place and everyone should be appreciated and respected for their individual abilities. I also loved the underlying theme about finding and using your voice and standing up for yourself and what you believe in.
Lepore has crafted a delightful tale about this little penguin’s journey to discover how to share his gift. Her illustrations are hand painted, looking a bit like oil pastels, and are vivid and vibrant. They also have a cartoonish feel to them that children will enjoy. It was very cute and visually appealing.
This was a quick and easy read that could be read as a bedtime story by a family or would also make the perfect addition to a classroom as a read aloud by a teacher. It is a book that is not for a beginning reader but would be a perfect independent reading book for a upper level first or second grade reader.
A delightful read.
As a work of fiction, this picture book offers a tender story about a young penguin, Peanut, who possesses a special talent that is eventually cherished by his colony. The dynamic between Peanut and his mother are pivotal in that they present understanding and empathy between parent and child. The illustrations created in acrylic medium are “primitive” in the best sense, and use the most recognizable colors and species’ structure for a child’s view of penguins. Touted by the publisher for ages 3-8, it will have a special appeal to younger children and enhance understanding as the art reinforces the text rather than expanding it. Using many of the traditional picture book design components, akin to the “Little Golden Books” series, the text often stands alone but at times is integrated with Lepore’s pictures that fill a page. While references implied or direct regarding facts about penguins are omitted, it is the whimsical story line that is front and center for Aruna Lepore, a new author.
