Copyright Date:
2014
Edition Date:
2014
Release Date:
09/28/14
Pages:
1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN:
0-7643-4805-1
ISBN 13:
978-0-7643-4805-1
Dewey:
E
LCCN:
2014941533
Dimensions:
29 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
School Library Journal
(Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)
PreS-Gr 2 A puffin in the zoo rants about being constantly mistaken for a penguin. He rattles off facts differentiating the two, denigrating penguins in the process: "Why bother being a bird if you can't even fly?". He's stopped in his tracks when a girl says "'Look, Daddy! It's a puffin!'" He is mollified by her extensive knowledge and subsequently tolerates further misidentification with aplomb. While the message that everyone needs acknowledgement is a good one, the point is clumsily made here. The story aims for humor but does not achieve it. The cartoon artwork (a penguin with teeth in his bill and hands instead of wings) is not engaging, and the predominance of angry expressions creates an unpleasant atmosphere. For a better-told, funnier story of the trauma of misidentification, stick with Lemony Snicket's The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming (McSweeney's, 2007). Heidi Estrin, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL
This story about a puffin who is upset that he's constantly mistaken for a penguin teaches that, when feeling alone, angry, or misunderstood, it takes only one person to turn things around. "Look at the funny little penguin!" and "What a silly-looking penguin!" Hearing this all day long is enough to make any little bird angry, especially when he's NOT A PENGUIN! This is the story of a puffin who is upset that he's constantly mistaken for a penguin. He finally reaches his breaking point and goes on a rant about the many differences between the two. A little girl stops him in mid-speech because she does know the differences, and he listens as she explains to her father why puffins are her favorite. When you are feeling alone and misunderstood, sometimes it only takes the understanding of one small person to turn things around. A charming picture book with 18 fun colorful spreads. This book shows children what frustration and feeling alone looks like from the outside, how to get over anger, and how to reach out to others when they are frustrated.