Penny: The Forgotten Coin [Hardcover]

Denise Brennan-Nelson (Author), Michael Glenn Monroe (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Found by a young boy and placed into his pocket for safekeeping, Penny feels useless compared to the exciting Superball, the shiny Marble, the adventuresome Rock, and the colorful Bubblegum. But as she reminisces about her life and history, she realizes her worth, and it is reinforced by the young boy's need for her in an important decision.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4--A young boy finds a penny and puts it in his pocket, much to the irritation of the other "treasures" that reside there. Then, the perspective shifts to Penny's point of view. After being told that she is worthless by the other objects, the coin reminisces about "happier days," being tossed in a fountain, paying for candy or a pony ride, and being collected in a jar for the Red Cross. Beneath these rhyming verses, background information about the creation and use of pennies throughout United States history is presented in an extremely small font. Writing in the first person and using an enthusiastic tone ("I like pennies!"), the author asks readers to question their family members about the long-ago uses of this coin. The large, brightly colored paintings help to move the action along. Penny is depicted as a 1934 beauty with blue eyes and stick limbs. Similar in style to Loreen Leedy's Follow the Money! (Holiday, 2002), Brennan-Nelson's offering has a denser text and less appealing artwork. References in the story portion of the text will only be understood if the factual part is read or explained to children, and the tale itself is contrived. Stuck somewhere between a picture book and an informational account, this Penny is not worth saving.--Erlene Bishop Killeen, Fox Prairie Elementary School, Stoughton, WI
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About the Author

Denise Brennan-Nelson’s boundless energy and enthusiasm come from her days as a motivational speaker. Since the publication of her first children’s picture book, Buzzy the bumblebee in 1999, Denise has taken that enthusiasm into schools and inspired thousands of children to “bee-lieve” in themselves. She is also the author of My Teacher Likes to Say and My Momma Likes to Say, two humorous books that examine the many idioms and clichés teachers and mothers use; and Penny: The Forgotten Coin, which traces one penny's journey through history. Denise lives in Howell, Michigan, with husband Bob and their two daughters, Rebecca and Rachel.

Award-winning wildlife artist Michael Glenn Monroe began his career at a very young age. A self-taught painter, Michael spends his time meticulously honing his craft, often teaching himself many new and unique techniques to add to his paintings. Michael began his publishing career with Sleeping Bear Press in 1999 when both Buzzy the Bumblebee and M is for Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet were released. His knowledge and experience with landscapes and wildlife were a perfect match for Mitten, as well as subsequent state alphabet titles (S is for Sunshine: A Florida Alphabet and L is for Last Frontier: An Alaska Alphabet). Michael and his wife, Colleen, share a home in Brighton, Michigan, with their three children, twins Matthew and Natalie and John, born in May 2001.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press; 1 edition (October 31, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585361283
• ISBN-13: 978-1585361281
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #887,328 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 Perfect to talk about the Penny, November 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Penny: The Forgotten Coin (Hardcover)

This is a fabulous book. It not only shows children how important the penny can be but also gives wonderful facts about the Penny's history. At my school, we use it to discuss our Penny Harvest--a time when we collect pennies for charity! Also the illustrations are magnificent!

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars dumb, November 23, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Penny: The Forgotten Coin (Hardcover)

the words were ok,it had some good stuff I didn't know but the art was too babyish. pretty dumb. i would not recomend it.