The Penguin (Piccolo Explorer Books)

ISBN 0824982460 - Just about the exact size and shape of Golden Books paperbacks, this one ended up in my cart by accident. Still, it's a kids' book, it's educational, it's worth a look! A male penguin, fleeing from a killer whale, makes his way to a join a crowd of penguins. He finds a mate, who soon lays an egg. The males keep the eggs warm while the females go off for food. When the females return, it's the males' turn to get food while the females tend to the young penguins. The ice is too cold for young penguins to stand on, so they stand on top of their parents' feet until they are older. Soon, the young penguins are able to stand on their own and gather in a huddle until their fluffy feathers are replaced by a waterproof set, when they are able to go into the sea to get their own food. In time, they will return to the group of penguins in search of their own mates. For a while, I lost faith in the book, as penguins escaped from more than one predator. I know it's a childrens' book and all, but it's also educational, so reality would be nice. In reality, penguins get eaten by other animals. After two escapes, a leopard seal "catches a young penguin". It doesn't say it ate the penguin, in case you're worried about that - you're free to explain that event however you like. In the back of the book is a two-page spread, "More about Penguins", with some interesting facts and a single page glossary titled "Some Special Words", which made me laugh. I suppose that sounds more fun than glossary. The target audience is 5 to 8 year olds, and some of the text, by author Angela Royston, seems a little difficult for the young end of that group, but the help of a parent or teacher would get them through it. Trevor Boyer's illustrations are superb. Some images look more like photos than not and some, like the ones where the babies peek out from under their fathers, are ridiculously cute. This is one of a series, The Animal Life Stories, which also includes The Deer (Animal Life Series), The Otter (Animal Life Series) and The Tiger (Animal Life Stories). - AnnaLovesBooks