Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere!

Take some stunning illustrations, catchy rhymes, and exotic animals, put them all together and you have a book that children will want to read over and over.  "Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere!", by Bob Barner is one of those books (2007).  

This book gives some basic facts about penguins: different types of penguins, where they live, predators, care for the young, etc.  The back of the book contains more fun facts about penguins, as well as a directory of 17 different kinds of penguins listing where they live and how much they weigh.  

This non-fiction children's book is such an appealing way to learn about this animal.  In my opinion, this book has my highest ratings of Galda, Cullinan, & Sipes (2010) considerations of quality non-fiction books.  The facts are accurate and suited to the target audience.  The facts are presented in a logical sequence.  The format is attractive and reader-friendly with fantastic illustrations which illuminate the facts to young readers.  The writing is extremely interesting and the author's enthusiasm is clearly parent (Galda, Cullinan, & Sipe, 2010, p. 306).  

I LOVE the illustrations in this book.  They are bright, bold, and so catchy and attractive!  These illustrations were created with cut and torn paper (Barner, 2007).  For young readers it is essential to get their attention.  This book will not only get their attention, but HOLD it and keep them wanting more.  

Reader Response Questions: 
1. Where do penguins live?
2. After the eggs are laid, who watches the eggs until they are hatched?
3. What kinds of animals want to eat penguins?
4. What do penguins do to stay safe?
5. How do penguins stay warm/cool?

Motivational Activities:
1. Think about what kind of penguin you would be if you were a penguin.  Draw a picture of what your habitat would look like.  
2. Make a list of some things that we can do to protect the environment to keep it safe for penguins. 

References
Barner, B. (2007). Penguins, penguins, everywhere! New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Galda, L., Cullinan, B., & Sipe, L. (2010). Literature and the child (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.