The Penguin Quartet (Picture Books) [Library Binding]

Peter Arrhenius (Author), Ingela Peterson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998 | Age Level: 5 and up | Series: Picture Books

Tired of watching over their soon-to-be-hatched eggs, four father penguins form a jazz band and travel to New York to play at all the coolest clubs.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Left to mind the eggs while the penguin moms are on a fishing vacation, four bored penguin dads decide to pack up the eggs (in what look like bags for bowling balls) and head to New York to play some cool jazz. Despite never learning how to play any instruments, or even listening to jazz (they first hear it on the airplane en route to the States), Max, Herbie, Charlie and Miles are an instant smash. The high lifeAstaying at the Waldorf Astoria, guzzling cod liver oil, appearing on the cover of Rolling StoneAcomes to an end when the eggs start to hatch, and the quartet rushes back to the South Pole. This thoroughly silly tale from a Swedish team will amuse those who enjoy loose logic and ready wish-fulfillment. Peterson's illustrations are busy with amusing touches, like the stumpy quartet resting their bills on the hotel's front desk and wearing trendy clothes on what appears to be the David Letterman show. A spread of scrapbook snapshots adds a note of nostalgia to the caper. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Four dapper penguin dads decide it is boring to just sit around the South Pole while waiting for their little ones to hatch so they pack up the eggs and fly to New York City to play cool jazz. Though one of the eggs is briefly lost, no other obstacles stand in the way of their success. The Penguin Quartet becomes famous. When one of the eggs begins to hatch during a talk show, all four fathers race off and return home just in time for the big event. The text has a pleasant, relaxed flippancy that some children find appealing. The crisp, boldly colored, stylized cartoons are packed with clever details. Adults will likely spot a few celebrities in caricature on the pages though most children will not. Good readers will enjoy experiencing this jazzy adventure alone but beginning readers and those with limited exposure to penguins, music, or NYC may need help appreciating what The Penguin Quartet has to offer.
Jody McCoy, The Bush School, Seattle, WA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding: 28 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575052520
• ISBN-13: 978-1575052526
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,201,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An awesome combination of jazz and penguins!, July 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Penguin Quartet (Picture Books) (Library Binding)

I love this book because it has two of my favorite things: jazz and penguins. The illustrations are adorable, and you can find something new in them every time. The pages are simply bursting with color. The plot line is clever and attention-keeping. This book deserves an A+ without a doubt!

5.0 out of 5 stars Cool book!, August 29, 2011

By 

Anna Kastner (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Penguin Quartet

Herbie, Miles, Charlie, and Max are bored with spending their time warming their penguin eggs in Antarctica. So they devise a plan to go to New York and play the coolest jazz while the penguin girls have their gobbling fish party. They explore the Waldorf-Astoria, Manhattan's jazz scene, fame and fortune until - crack - their eggs begin to hatch. They rush home just in time before their female partners return to greet their newborn penguin chicks and gladly reunite with their families.

A book about cool birds, cool music, and cool questions about equal rights for males and females, in short: A Cool Book!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Penguin Quartet, December 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Penguin Quartet (Picture Books) (Library Binding)

Please, Please bring this book back into print! It is a wonderful tribute to New York - the perfect introduction to the magic of NYC for any child. Wonderful characters, beautiful illustrations. My nephews love this book.