Waiting for Mama
Waiting for Mama
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Publisher's Hardcover ©2022--
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Penguin
Annotation: New York Times bestselling illustrator Gianna Marino reveals the enduring importance of family in a picture book perfect... more
Genre: [Animal fiction]
 
Reviews: 2
Catalog Number: #313622
Format: Publisher's Hardcover
Publisher: Penguin
Copyright Date: 2022
Edition Date: 2022 Release Date: 03/29/22
Pages: 1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN: 0-425-29070-0
ISBN 13: 978-0-425-29070-5
Dewey: E
LCCN: 2022286324
Dimensions: 24 x 29 cm
Language: English
Reviews:
School Library Journal Starred Review (Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2022)

Toddler-PreS Marino's gorgeous artwork is on full display in this sweet book narrated by a baby emperor penguin still inside its shell for the majority of the story. Papa Penguin keeps the egg warm and safe between his belly and his toes, while Mama Penguin goes off to hunt for food. Papa and Baby await Mama's return as cold winds blow. Marino's expressive penguin faces and Antarctic landscapes in blue, pink, orange, yellow, and white pair perfectly with the brief, well-balanced prose, making this perfect for repeated readings, one-on-one and during story time. Back matter includes further information. VERDICT A first purchase for all libraries. Kristy Pasquariello

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

An emperor penguin chick narrates this educational polar tale by Marino, which showcases the heroic efforts undertaken by penguin parents—especially the intrepid females—to support their young. “Even though I can’t see,/ I know what’s happening outside./ I can feel it,/ like I can feel/ the cold,” voices the soon-to-be-hatchling from a pale green egg perched on its father’s feet. After noting its mama’s unique goodbye call as she departs to find sustenance, the chick goes on to describe its surroundings via sound: the “CRUNCH” of the ice, the “BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!” of papa’s heart, and a final “CRAAACK!” of the egg shell, just in time for an exuberant family reunion. Pale pinks and blues predominate in Marino’s landscapes, contrasting with the book’s sleek black-and-white protagonists, often dramatically captured in group scenes. Anthropomorphic narration lends a tenderhearted feel to the scientific information communicated about penguin family dynamics. A note on emperor penguins concludes. Ages 3–7. (Mar.)

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School Library Journal Starred Review (Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2022)
Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
Reading Level: 2.0
Interest Level: P-2
Guided Reading Level: I
Fountas & Pinnell: I

New York Times bestselling illustrator Gianna Marino reveals the enduring importance of family in a picture book perfect for Mother's Day and Father's Day!

"When everyone is sleeping, all I can hear is Papa's heart. Boom-Boom-Boom. My papa loves me."

It's deep winter in the Antarctic and a little penguin baby waits in the cold and snow for its mama to return from her long journey to find food. But all the while, the baby is protected and kept warm by its papa, until Mama returns with food . . . and love.

With stunning illustrations and a spare but powerful story, Gianna Marino captures the icy beauty of Antarctica and the wonders of a penguin family that thrives there.


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