Tackylocks and the Three Bears (Tacky the Penguin) [Paperback]

Helen Lester (Author), Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Tacky the Penguin

How do you keep a crowd of energetic young penguins entertained? Put on a play, perhaps? But will they pay attention through an entire performance? If Tacky’s center stage, they might. Even in his flowing blond wig and little red “skipping shoes,” everyone’s favorite misfit penguin imbues the character of Goldilocks with his own indomitable personality and style. So what if the set is in shambles? This is one performance Mrs. Beakly’s students won’t soon forget.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Tacky steals the show but not in the way he had hoped in Tackylocks and the Three Bears, the fifth title in the Tacky series by Helen Lester, illus. by Lynn Munsinger. This time around he joins up with penguin pals Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly and Perfect to put on a play for Miss Beakly's class.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

reSchool-Grade 2-Get ready for a return trip to that "nice icy land." Typically overenthusiastic and clueless, Tacky the penguin draws the lead part in a performance of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," even though he doesn't quite understand what a "play" is. The big day arrives, and so does the audience, a raucous, ill-behaved bunch of penguin chicks from Mrs. Beakly's School. They pay no attention until Goldilocks appears, or rather "Tackylocks," as they call her. With a huge, blond wig and full costume, Tacky stumbles on stage, knocking over props; eats all of the porridge; and stacks the three chairs one atop the other to search for dessert. The audience cheers with delight when the chairs and Tacky crash to the floor. Worn out by now, he takes all the bedding and sinks into slumber in Baby bear's cozy bed. The other players do their best to carry on, but when they pull and toss the many covers and pillows, Tacky shouts "PILLOW FIGHT!" and the chicks join the players in the melee. Munsinger's watercolor illustrations perfectly capture the hilarity with body postures and facial expressions. Each picture is a story in itself, especially the arrival of the misbehaving audience. This silliness will delight Tacky's loyal fans and win a lot of new devotees, and they'll all be watching eagerly for the next adventure.
Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (May 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618439536
• ISBN-13: 978-0618439539
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Birds > Fiction

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A goofy and very silly book, August 11, 2004

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tackylocks and the Three Bears (Tacky the Penguin) (Paperback)

It's time for the penguins to put on a play for Mrs. Beakly's School; Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly and Perfect are all ready, but they're all worried about Tacky (he's the penguin in the Hawaiian shirt). With no practice or preparation, on the day of the play Tacky dons the Goldilocks outfit and flounces onto the stage. It's an absolute disaster...and the best play the rambunctious young penguins have ever seen!

I had this book in reserve, waiting until my baby got old enough to read to, but when my little nephew needed entertaining I dug it out. Well, he loved it! Yes, this is not a nice, uplifting story with a moral. Instead, it's a goofy and very silly book, one that is sure to please a little one with a sense of humor.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tacky the Penquin Books, March 2, 2009

By 

M. Powell (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tackylocks and the Three Bears (Tacky the Penguin) (Paperback)

All the Tacky the Penguin books are great. They are read over and over at our house.

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Write, January 15, 2012

By 

Lewis Eric Weil, Jr. "Persop" (AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tackylocks and the Three Bears (Tacky the Penguin) (Paperback)

Hopefully the author and illustrator can just write and illustrate as they have been doing. You can analyze, moralize and think you are wise but Tacky is never tacky. Just plain pun. In the end of each book the other penguins are grateful and happy not because of their efforts but Tacky's goofy manners saving the day. This and the author and illustrator's other books fills the bill or beak for fun. As a so called adult, I worry. With Tacky, there is no worry. There will be laughter and admiration. Thanks!