ALA Booklist (Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2000)

Tacky, the penguin who favors Hawaiian shirts, is back for the fourth time to demonstrate, in his inimitable comic way, the virtues of being a fringe dweller and an eccentric--a penguin who just doesn't (or isn't allowed to) fit in. In this installment, Tacky's bland bunch of chums are fervently preparing for a visit from the emperor. While they prepare fish-flavored punch and fish-flavored ice cream, Tacky accidentally stumbles upon a fancy costume, which, unknown to him, is the emperor's royal outfit: tired of the trappings of royal life, the emperor has tossed aside his raiment and gone for a swim. Tacky puts it on, and in a classic case of mistaken identity enjoys the royal treatment, gulping the goodies and otherwise behaving in a shockingly unregal manner. When the unintentional duplicity is uncovered, it is up to Tacky to improvise entertainment for the emperor. Lester and Munsinger have again succeeded in creating a delightful Antarctic-of-the-imagination, where comfy conformity is the rule but a very funny misfit saves the day and wins everyone's affection. (Reviewed August 2000)

Kirkus Reviews

Tacky, the delightful penguin who marches (or is it waddles?) to a different drummer is back in another funny and charming tale—this time involving a royal visit from the emperor. When Tacky and his five iceberg-mates learn that the emperor is coming to visit, they enter into frenzied preparations. A feast of fish-flavored food is prepared, entertainment is rehearsed, and Tacky is put in charge of the balloons. But when he blows up a really big balloon, he takes an unplanned ride and ends up on a neighboring iceberg, which, unbeknownst to Tacky, is the emperor's home. Seeing a set of very fancy clothes lying unattended and unclaimed on the ice, he puts them on and waddles back to his own iceberg. To his amazement, his five friends make a huge fuss over him, plying him with food and making sure he's amused and happy. Although Tacky doesn't realize it, his friends have mistaken him for the emperor. When the real emperor arrives, the five others are mortified that there is nothing left with which to impress him, and are exasperated with Tacky. The emperor, who turns out to be sick to death of the stuffy and formal visits most of his subjects make him sit through, has a great time with Tacky and his improvisations. Instead of the fish-flavored food that the emperor is usually offered, they have snowball cones; instead of a boring dance recital, Tacky sings his favorite silly song; and they all (even his royal highness) tell penguin jokes. The watercolor illustrations are adorable and full of humor—note especially the fish-flavored ice cream, the emperor's twinkle-toed shoes, and the double-page spread on which the penguins learn about the mistake that's been made. Children will think this book is a riot and won't even realize that a message is being delivered—a charming one about the joys of non-conformity. (Picture book. 4-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

That prince among penguins returns,"""" noted PW. """"Here Tacky gets the royal treatment after he innocently tries on the emperor penguin's clothes and the emperor penguin gets a welcome break from pomp and ceremony."""" Ages 4-8. (Aug)