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Penguin's Egg

Illustrated by Alice Courtley

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About The Book

When a penguin dad ends up far away from his nest, he’s determined to make it back to see his egg hatch by any means necessary in this charming “hero’s journey for bedtime or naptime” (Kirkus Reviews).

On a frozen sea, where the snow falls fast, and the whirlwinds rage and storm, a rockhopper egg, in a stony nest, was lying safe and warm

Daddy Penguin’s egg will hatch any day now, so when he gets lost and finds himself adrift in an unfamiliar world, he’ll do anything to get back home! From train to helicopter, hot-air balloon to limousine, Penguin hitches rides with helpful folk—but will he make it in time?

About The Author

Photo courtesy of the author

Anna Kemp writes both picture books and middle grade fiction. Her books have been nominated for the Booktrust Early Years Award, the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, Oscar’s Book Prize, and the Dundee Picture Book Award. Her work has also been adapted for television, puppetry, dance, orchestra, and theatre. Anna loves to visit schools and libraries and attend festivals. Visit her online at AnnaKemp-Author.com.

About The Illustrator

Photo courtesy of the illustrator

Alice Courtley is an author and illustrator with an MA in children’s book illustration from Cambridge. Her work has been recognized for prizes such as the Klaus Flugge prize shortlist and featured in exhibitions including the AOI’s Inspired to Innovate exhibition in London. Alice has also taught creative skills to students of a range of ages, both in workshop settings and in longer-form courses. Visit her online at AliceCourtley.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (October 15, 2024)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781665963251
  • Grades: P - 3
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Raves and Reviews

A father rockhopper penguin—accidentally separated from his mate and their egg—uses many kinds of transportation to return home.

“By a frozen sea, where the snow falls fast, / and the whirlwinds rage and storm, / a rockhopper egg, in a stony nest, was lying safe and warm.” As the book opens, readers see a whimsical, gently humorous image that immediately suggests a loving family: a mated pair of rockhoppers—with their signature yellow-tufted heads—nestled against each other. The parents and the prized egg before them all wear colorful, knitted scarves. Active, swirling blues and whites portray their frigid environment. While the penguins sleep, Dad’s ice floe breaks off. He awakens, panicked, in an urban, non-snowy harbor. He must get back to his soon-to-hatch egg in Antarctica! Charmingly funny anthropomorphic animals of various species help him, including a bear who gives him a plush teddy for his “tot.” The rhythmic verses move the simple story along. Page turns cleverly lead to end rhymes that reveal the penguin’s next mode of transportation: “train,” “van,” and “chopper.” One spread’s verses reference 19 methods of transportation—including pogo stick and elephant—all vividly illustrated in bright colors. The climax is Dad’s realization that he can swim for the journey’s final stretch, avoiding orcas and jellyfish. The ending is predictably heartwarming.

A hero’s journey for bedtime or naptime. (Picture book. 3-6)

– Kirkus Reviews, 8/1/24

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More books from this author: Anna Kemp