My Penguin Osbert [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Cody Kimmel (Author), H. B. Lewis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Fabulously illustrated by H. B. Lewis, Elizabeth Cody Kimmel's hilarious romp through the land of be-careful-what-you-wish-for offers a whole year's worth of holiday fun magic.

This year, I was very specific in my letter to Santa Claus.

Each year at Christmas, Joe writes a letter to Santa. But they've had a few misunderstandings in the past. Last year, for example, Joe wanted a fire-engine-red racecar with retracting headlights, and he did get one — but it was only three inches long. So this year Joe is really, really careful. He describes exactly what he wants — and on Christmas morning, guess what's waiting for him under the tree! Santa has brought him a living, breathing, black-and-white penguin named Osbert. Will anything in Joe's life ever be the same?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–After several years in which his Christmas wishes have gone awry, Joe gets smart and writes Santa a detailed and exact description of the present he wants–a real live penguin. He gets what he asked for, but providing his new friend with meals of creamed herring and taking cold baths with him turn out to be more than he bargained for. Written with lots of tongue-in-cheek humor, this quietly quirky tale is accompanied by expressive watercolor-and-pastel illustrations depicting the determined-to-make-this-work Joe and his irrepressible pet. This holiday story will make kids laugh all year long.–E. M.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 1. From the be-careful-what-you-wish-for category of story comes the tale of Joe, who hopes each year to get exactly what he has asked for but winds up with a variation--a toy car, for instance, instead of a real one. But when Joe insists he wants a real penguin, that's just what he gets. Osbert is a delightful companion, albeit with a mind of his own. In the bath Osbert unwraps all the soap to replicate icebergs; for breakfast he demands herring. Finally Joe writes Santa, asking for a redo, and arrangements are made for Osbert to go to Arctic World, a happy solution for both. Kimmel sneaks some sly humor into the well-told, nicely paced story, and Lewis' artwork, executed in watercolor and pastels and enhanced with digital renderings, has a soft look, colored in marshmallow tints. Yet, as does the text, the art offers plenty of sharp fun--for example, when homesick Osbert builds a village out of melting ice-cream pops. Amusement with a message. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (September 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763616990
• ISBN-13: 978-0763616991
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 0.4 x 11.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #904,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elizabeth Kimmel Willard, the pen name for Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, is a lifetime Little House enthusiast. She is the author of many books for children, including the Lily B. series. She lives in Cold Spring, New York, with her husband and their daughter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, November 4, 2004

By 

Karen K. Hart (Austin, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Penguin Osbert (Hardcover)

There is so much to say about this book. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful--rich and vibrant, in the perfect shades--and the story is simple and complex at the same time. There are so many lessons here, like: you should word requests carefully so that you get exactly what you want; sometimes even when you get what you want it isn't quite what you expected; if you love someone, you should worry about his/her needs and desires as well as your own; taking care of someone else is a big responsibility. The whimsical details of a penguin's life with a boy all lend themselves to teaching these lessons. This is probably a great book for a kid who asks Santa for a pet every year, and it's also really entertaining for adults. The author could have made the story excessively sappy, but instead she gave it just the right amount of emotion--it's beautiful.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't want to miss this one!!!, December 7, 2004

By 

Bunnie Marengo "bunnie" - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Penguin Osbert (Hardcover)

Here is a children's book that should be on every bookshelf!! Elizabeth Cody Kimmel tells the most charming story that incorporates a wonderful message that every child should learn! Not only is the story superb, but H.B. Lewis has done the most vivid, colorful and amazing illustrations! I could stare at them all day!
Thanks to Elizabeth & H.B.!!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Double Wow, December 1, 2004

By 

J. Hudanich "C.K. Birch" (Norwell, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Penguin Osbert (Hardcover)

It is such a treat to find a children's book that combines beautiful illustrations with a truly terrific text. I am in awe of the Author's creativity and fresh perspective on story telling.My four year old loves this story TOO. This should become a classic/