ALA Booklist (Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2007)

In his customary fluent style, Simon describes what penguins are and are not, presenting clear descriptions that will stay with young readers: "When a penguin swallows food underwater, it also ingests salt water. Special glands drain the salt water into the penguin's nose. The salt water runs off its nose when the penguin surfaces." He includes anatomical facts, traces penguin life cycles, and introduces several common varieties. With the exception of one view of a leopard seal zeroing in on a kill, the large color photos present fetching views of these social, photogenic birds. Laurence Pringle's Penguins! Strange and Wonderful (2007), illustrated by Meryl Anderson, offers a greater range of information, but budding naturalists are likely to be drawn more strongly to the striking photos and clear exposition here. A  perfunctory reading list rounds out the text.

Horn Book (Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

Simon works his magic on facts about penguin behaviors, reproduction, and feeding, spending time on the topics that naturally fascinate children. The full-page color photographs competently capture penguin appeal and are skillfully discussed in the narrative on the facing pages. Simon concludes the book with a tour of major species, focusing on visual distinctions in their size and markings. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Kirkus Reviews

Striking color photographs, often filling a page or more, distinguish this addition to the extensive literature about penguins. Six different species are shown close up and in their natural habitat. The well-organized text describes where these appealing birds live; how they walk, feed and swim; their mating and chick-rearing; and predators, before going on to distinguish among the species and summarize modern threats. Direct references to the pictures on the facing page make this content easy for the youngest reader or listener to follow, although they may be confused by the statement that Gentoo penguins' orange bill "sets them apart from other penguins" when the species illustrated before and after that page are also shown with orange bills. The author of more than 200 books for young readers, Simon packs a great deal of information into his relatively simple, smooth writing. There is no map but the end matter includes a glossary, index and suggestions for further reading, including websites about penguins and the Smithsonian, as well as other titles by the author. (Nonfiction. 4-7)

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-In his signature photo-essay format with appealing full-page color photographs, Simon provides a broad overview of Antarctic penguins' physical characteristics and behavior. Mating, egg laying, and care of the young are described, as are the animal predators and human factors that threaten the survival of penguins. A few species-emperor, king, gentoo, macaroni, Adelie-each get an individual page of description. Readers will find more detailed information in Laurence Pringle's Penguins! Strange and Wonderful (Boyds Mills, 2007) and in several of the many other books available on this popular animal, but Simon's photographs are eye-catching. A serviceable introduction that will have familiarity for the author's many fans.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.