LITTLE PENGUINS

“Winter is here.”

Five little penguins who live in an igloo with their mother are very excited. They see snowflakes, which means it’s winter, so naturally, it’s time to go outside. Imaginative and lovable illustrations of acrylic and cut-paper collage show the curious young birds as they dress up in their mittens, scarves, socks, and boots and head out into the very deep snow; children will easily identify with their mounting excitement. Minimal text makes this a very good choice for toddlers and other young listeners while leaving room for counting and giggling, and the mixture of make-believe and realistic detail works nicely, creating a winsome world full of gentle adventure. But wait, what’s happened to Mama? She’s watching over them from close by, of course, and soon it’s time for five little penguins to come in out of the cold, shed their winter gear, and have some cookies and “sippies” before burrowing into their inviting beds. Robinson’s penguins are created from elemental shapes: large circles form their heads, and then beaks, bodies, wings, and flippers in triangles of various sizes make up the rest of them. The combination of clarity, simplicity, warmth, light humor, and striking visuals makes this an excellent tale for the very young.

A very warm and satisfying bedtime book and a paean to penguins and winter delights.