ALA Booklist (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1998)

Fans of previous adventures of the spunky little penguin will welcome this latest, which is probably Tacky's goofiest escapade yet. While his boring fellow penguins nap comfortably atop their iceberg, Tacky takes off on a solitary ice-surfing expedition, landing on a tropical isle. An elephant mistakes his billowing flowered shirt for a bouquet and takes Tacky home to dress up her dreary kitchen table. Convincing the deluded elephant that he's a penguin not a posy takes some doing, but Tacky finally manages it with his usual relish, leaving behind with his hostess a colorful reminder of his unexpected visit. The illustrations will sell the story. (Reviewed April 1, 1998)

Horn Book (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 1998)

When Tacky (that lovable lug) goes surfing, the wind blows him to a faraway island where he mistakes an elephant for a large rock. The elephant then mistakes Tacky for a floral arrangement, and Tacky must prove he is indeed a penguin so he can return home. Lester's warm, exuberant text is enhanced by Munsinger's expressively hilarious illustrations.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2--Tacky the Penguin (Houghton, 1988) stars in another adventure. While he is surfing, Tacky's brightly flowered shirt catches a gust of wind, and, after many days, he finds himself on a tropical island. There, he encounters a large gray rock that turns out to be an elephant. The elephant mistakes Tacky for a bouquet of blossoms just right for his table. To escape, Tacky must prove that he really is a bird by doing "something penguinish." He marches, dives, slides, and hops across the food-filled table with a bit too much vigor and ruins the elephant's tablecloth. The penguin's luck holds, however, and the elephant loves his colorful new tablecloth. With snacks and three kisses, Tacky returns home where he is welcomed as "an odd bird, a nice bird to have around." The story will appeal to children who know that making a mess can cause trouble. The soft, watercolor illustrations and simple story line make this a good choice for reading aloud.--Marty Abbott Goodman, L.J. Bell Elementary School, Rockingham, NC