Pierre the Penguin [Hardcover]

Jean Marzollo (Author), Laura Regan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2010 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

When Pierre, a penguin living at the California Academy of Sciences, loses his feathers, he gets some help from his human friends. A true story of veterniary ingenuity.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2–Stories don't come any sweeter than this. Pierre the penguin lives at the California Academy of Sciences. Being an African penguin, he prefers warmer climates. For some reason (it's not clear why), he loses his feathers and thus will not swim because he is too cold. In addition, the other penguins are afraid of him and bray at him. Pam, his caring handler, designs a neoprene wetsuit that keeps him warm when swimming. Over time, his feathers grow back, and the story ends with Pierre making a “nest for his very best friend.” Regan's realistic paintings work well with the text and enhance the drama and appeal of the storytelling. The book concludes with “Questions from Kids with Answers from Pam.” They include “What is neoprene?” and “How many kinds of penguins are there?” This is an excellent book to share with children as it offers multiple discussion points and curriculum connections.Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About the Author

Jean Marzollo has written more than 100 children’s books, including the award-winning I SPY series. With a graduate degree from Harvard, she has taught school, written books about teaching and parenting, and was the editor of Scholastic’s Let’s Find Out kindergarten magazine for 20 years. Jean lives in upstate New York.

Nationally known for her many award-winning children’s books that feature exotic flora and fauna, Laura Regan’s artwork has been used to raise funds for many wildlife organizations. She is the illustrator of A is for Anaconda: A Rainforest Alphabet. Laura lives in the Bay Area in California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (April 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585364851
• ISBN-13: 978-1585364855
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Zoos

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rhyming, Accessible, Engaging, May 9, 2010

By 

Jennifer Bogart "@ Quiverfullfamily.com" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pierre the Penguin (Hardcover)

Did you know that April 25th is World Penguin Day? It correlates with the beginning of the annual northward migration of penguins. Missed it? Don't feel bad, we did too (stomach flu). But for penguin loving families, any day is a good day to learn about penguins and if you want to keep a picture book in mind that comes along with a teaching guide for educational extension possibilities, Pierre the Penguin is where it's at.

You might be familiar with Pierre's true story if you and your family have watched the bonus disc that comes in the latest boxed set of March of the Penguins on DVD. That is where we first saw Pierre and his special situation. Dealing with feather breakage and loss Pierre was scaring the other penguins in his zoo habitat, and wasn't able to swim due to the lack of insulating feathers. Thankfully, an aquatic biologist came to his rescue, and Pierre the Penguin is his story told in simple, child-friendly rhyming text that quickly engages young listeners.

The blocky text style with only a few words on each page against the large realistic illustrations make this title particularly engaging. I love Marzollo's use of action and sound words that really draw my preschoolers in. This inspiring story is also great reading for budding young scientists with a longing to make a difference in the lives of troubled animals.

A question and answer section by Pam Schaller (the aquatic biologist who worked with Pierre) is included for children who'd like to learn more, and the full teaching guide is available for free online.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, wonderful story, February 4, 2011

By 

Lovin' Reading - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pierre the Penguin (Hardcover)

I purchased 2 of these books, one for my granddaughter in Oklahoma and a co-workers daughters. Since I live just across the Golden Gate from the Academy of Sciences, I thought it would be a neat gift for all the girls. The story is one of great ingenuity and determination. The writing is easy to comprehend and the illustrations are absolutely beautiful. Such sweet story to be told. My co-workers daughters already convinced their grandmother to take them to see Pierre in person! More books like this are needed for the generations to come.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent storybook for kids, September 10, 2011

By 

S. Lee "100% Genki" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pierre the Penguin (Hardcover)

Based on a real story at the California Science Academy in Golden Gate Park San Francisco... Its really quite a good story for kids. Plus you can take the little one to see the actual museum and penguins if you are in the area.