Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Penguin Fun Continues

We have just finished another penguin book, Penguin Chick by Betty Tatham, illustrated by Helen K. Davie. This contains much of the same information as Penguins, but is considered vastly superior to my readers for two highly subjective reasons. First, it is inscribed, "December 2006, Merry Christmas to Ethan! Love, Grandma and Grandpa" in my mother's exceptionally neat printing. Her printing wows them every time. How does she get those letters so perfect?! Second, this book presents the following information about Rockhopper penguins, "The mother lays two eggs but can raise only one chick. The stronger of the two chicks survives." My children could spend hours debating which of them would survive if humans were like Rockhopper penguins in this way.

What I really like about this book, in addition to the illustrations, are two extension activities suggested by the author at the end. She explains how to lie on a smooth surface and attempt tobogganing like a penguin and putting a raw potato on your feet and shuffling forward like a penguin father carrying his egg.
These would be fun to try in a classroom or library storytime setting as well as at home.

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