Busy Penguins

August 4, 2000
PreS-"Busy, busy penguins. What are they doing?" Schindel uses simple rhyming word pairs that introduce penguin life. Toddlers will enjoy seeing these lovable birds in action. Indeed, they are a busy bunch, from "meeting" and "greeting" to "pooping" and "drooping." The superb color photographs give action to the spare text. The animals stand out against the cold blues and whites of the arctic background. Readers will chuckle at seeing these dignified creatures in silly and endearing poses. This board book is perfect for youngsters to discover independently or to share with an adult.-Hennie Vaandrager, Byron Township Library, Byron Center, MI

Copyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2000
Ages 1^-3. This board book, straightforward in concept, begins with the lines "Busy, busy penguins. What are they doing?" and answers the question by identifying the birds' activities with rhyming or near-rhyming phrases such as "penguins bumping / penguins jumping / penguins sliding / penguins diving." Although parents may be taken aback by the page showing "penguins pooping," their toddlers will probably take it in stride. Each phrase appears on a single page accompanied by a clear, colorful photo of one or more penguins. A well-designed board book that manages to be simple without looking babyish. ((Reviewed March 15, 2000))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.)