A Penguin Pup for Pinkerton [Hardcover]

Steven Kellogg (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2001 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Steven Kellogg's irrepressible Great Dane, Pinkerton, has been entertaining children for over twenty years with madcap tales full of humor and hubbub. Pinkerton has foiled a burglar, "borrowed" a hot-air balloon, chomped on a dinosaur bone, and turned a dog show upside down, to name a few of his misadventures. Now he's back with more charming mischief, as his dreams of adopting a penguin chick somehow end up tossing a football game into one big huddle . . . and that's just the beginning.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Steven Kellogg's irrepressible pooch returns in A Penguin Pup for Pinkerton. This time around, Pinkerton mistakes a football for a penguin egg when his owner, Emily, reports all she's learned about the animals and their young. But chaos follows when Pinkerton loses track of his baby.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Pinkerton's back-and his new adventures are as outrageous and entertaining as ever. The story starts on the title page, as the oversized pup sneaks off with an unattended football. When his owner, Emily, comes home from school full of enthusiasm and information about their latest topic of study (penguins and their remarkable parenting skills), the Great Dane promptly decides the football must be an egg. When the girl decides to take him and his "egg" to school for show-and-tell, pandemonium ensues. An irate Billy gets his ball back by using a cookie as a bribe. Then on the way home, the dog just happens to find another football (it's in use at the time) and leads football players and spectators on a merry chase through a nearby dog show. He winds up at the empty ice rink, cradling his new penguin egg. Luckily, Granny has made a penguin egg (complete with zipper) and both Pinkerton and Emily are pleased as punch with the baby "Pinkwin" it contains. Kellogg's cheerful, busy artwork offers plenty of extra laughs, from Rose the cat's unsentimental musings (she sees the penguins-and most other animals, including Pinkerton-as potential cat food) to the outraged faces of the people and pets whose lives are complicated by the pup's headlong dash. An engaging story, humorous illustrations, amusing details, and a combination of perennially popular topics make this a sure winner.

Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803725361
• ISBN-13: 978-0803725362
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,000,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With the same energy, humor and clarity found in his 50 books, David wows audiences at schools around the United States and beyond. David is an accomplished storyteller and a master at getting kids to think and have fun at the same time. His presentations lead children on entertaining and educational journeys that combine math, science, reading and writing. David also gives keynote presentations and workshops for educators at professional conferences.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, October 6, 2006

By 

Bo Bipidty (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Penguin Pup for Pinkerton (Picture Puffin) (Mass Market Paperback)

My 1st grader came home with this from the library and we all loved it! It's a great story and wonderful illustrations. Kellogg really knows how to make kids laugh, but the adults were also laughing. I've looked for a while to find a reliable children's author who can tell a funny story and I finally found one!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Dad, Pinkerton! Good Dad!, December 2, 2007

By 

Judy K. Polhemus "Book Collector" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Penguin Pup for Pinkerton (Picture Puffin) (Mass Market Paperback)

At my school's recent book fair I fell in love with Steven Kellogg's "A Penguin Pup for Pinkerton." I continued to go to that book's shelf, pick up that book, look through it, laugh, and put it down. Because I was so enthusiastic about the book, I was able to sell several copies. (As librarian, I am in charge of Book Fair.)

Normally, I do not care for Kellogg's artwork (I apologize for saying that. Why don't I like it? Because it is so busy and cartoonish.) However, in this book, the artwork is more realistic. And the story, oh my gosh, the story is just nothing short of fabulous! I saw a video some years back on emperor penguins and how the fathers hold those eggs on their feet for the duration of winter, never letting them off, no matter what. I was mesmerized by their dedication!

When Pinkerton's girl comes home from school, explaining about emperor penguins, she assumes that Rose,their female cat, harbors a desire to be motherly. Wrong, it is Pinkerton affected by the story. He takes the football he "borrowed" earlier in the day from a neighborhood boy and begins to tend to it on his feet. The girl takes him to school the next day for Show-and-Tell. The football boy claims his football, Pinkerton finds another at a local football game on the way home from school. After mayhem and confusion, Grandmother, an expert seamstress, comes to the rescue with another "egg" that "hatches" a penguin pup. Everyone is happy, especially Pinkerton.

A simple summary. What is this? I closed the book and there on the back cover is the girl's teacher, holding an egg on his feet in the classroom. It is cracking....

That Kellogg has a sense of....whatever it is, it is funny, poignant, and downright entertaining! Way to go, Mr. Kellogg, you convinced me! This book is highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars quite funny plot, June 28, 2011

By 

Maksym Rostorguyev - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Penguin Pup for Pinkerton (Picture Puffin) (Mass Market Paperback)

I don't think kids would quite understand the funny twist of dog getting all of the sudden eager to become a penguin - but I found it really charming