Tacky the Penguin [Paperback]

Helen Lester (Author), Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 1990 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: Tacky the Penguin | Lexile Measure: 810L (What's this?)

Tacky's perfect friends find him annoying until his odd behavior saves the day.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

None of the penguins can tolerate Tacky's loud habits--until they scare off a pack of hunters. PW declared that "this book is must reading for any kid--or grown-up--who refuses to follow the pack." Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2 Tacky the Penguin is a total nonconformist who lives with a group of formal, proper penguins. But it is Tacky who foils the plans of three critters with ``get-rich-quick plans'' that threaten the penguins' existence. With his un-penguin-like antics, Tacky puzzles the hunters to such an extent that they're firmly convinced they cannot be in the ``land of the pretty penguins.'' This is a rollicking tale that clearly shows that there are ad vantages to being an individual. Mun singer cheerfully captures the mood of the tale with her whimsical, full-color illustrations that are particularly strong in depicting the hunters' deter mined, then befuddled, expressions and Tacky's madcap antics. This is sure to elicit lots of chuckles from young readers. Bonnie Wheatley, Emma Conn Elementary School, Ra leigh, N.C.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Reprint edition (August 17, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395562333
• ISBN-13: 978-0395562338
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Helen Lester has published The Wizard, the Fairy, and the Magic Chicken in 1983, in collabroation with Lynn Munsinger. They have also worked together on the hilarious Tacky the Penguin series and many other wildly funny and popular titles, including the award-winning Hooway for Wodney Wat. Helen Lester is a full-time writer who makes her home in Pawling, New York.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Even oddballs can be most useful! August 22, 2005

By George W. Endress

Format:Paperback

Tacky the Penguin was an odd bird; not at all behaving like his companions (you know, orderly). Oh well! Let's face it! He was just plain tacky! He did have one saving asset--he could "think outside the box!" Although author Helen Lester doesn't ever resort to the killer of young children's stories--PREACHING!--she makes her points so gracefully that the book is a perfect opener to the lesson of TOLERANCE. Like many good children's stories, this one certainly invites a grownup to get into a gentle discussion about other children that seem a bit different. That differences (per se) are not bad, but rather makes our world interesting, and sometimes can actually save lives. We are, after all, an interdependent society. Definitely not an empty-headed action story! For my six year old grand-daughter, it provoked an entire stream of anecdotes about classmates and playmates and her odd little brother.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute... July 18, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Tacky is the cutest children's book I have read! I'm 15 and I still read it! It is very funny and gives children a good message about being yourself. All kids should read it!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book for all ages! May 20, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Our 2 1/2 year old daughter loves to have her daddy read her this book over and over again. Although she can't read, she knows the book so well that she is able to tell us the story just by looking at each page. Tacky teaches us that it is OK to be an "odd bird" because that's what makes us all so unique. So, march and sing off key and enjoy yourself!