Peter the Penguin Pioneer by Daren King
| Peter the Penguin Pioneer by Daren King | |
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| Category: Confident Readers | |
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Reviewer: Kimberly Saunders
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| Summary: A zany and exciting adventure that verges on the sublimely ridiculous. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 128 | Date: September 2009 |
| Publisher: Quercus | |
| ISBN: 978-1847248329 | |
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Punky, a penguin who is much brighter than he thinks, is the sidekick to local penguin explorer, Peter. He and Peter travel the world, bringing back objects of great curiousity for the amazement of their fellow penguins. The other penguins are in awe of Peter's exploits and hold him in quite high regard, but Harold the penguin has his suspicions that Peter is not quite what he appears to be. No matter, it is Peter who gets called upon when the other penguins discover that their ice skating rink has apparently shrunk, and its up to Peter to discover the cause.
What follows is a hilarious adventure involving a stripy jumper, wooden beaks, pesky squirrels, hungry polar bears,and a penguin who is much more than he seems at first as Peter, Punky, and Harold attempt to solve the mystery of the shrinking ice rink. Will Peter regain Harold's respect, and can the trio regain a large enough ice rink for the penguins to enjoy?
It's almost Lewis Carroll in places with its sense of the patently absurd and the slightly surreal, though thoroughly modern in tone and not at all anachronistic. The sense of adventure is one of mild thrills, there to provide the quirky mini escapades which follow on to showcase the 'skills' of the penguin pioneers. Written in the first person from Punky's point of view, the simple text and accompanying pen and ink drawings do not fail to entertain. It's one giggle after another as the penguins waddle, belly slide, and even fly an aeroplane through the adventure. With its short chapters, it is an ideal read aloud for bedtime one chapter at a time, or for the newly confident reader just beginning chapter books. This edition is sized for smaller hands to hold, so it is not bulky or so large that it is intimidating. It is sure to please the animal loving child and charm even a reluctant reader with its quirky storyline making for a perfect relaxing read anytime.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.
If this book appeals then we think that you might also enjoy Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell.
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