Review by Booklist Review
In his customary fluent style, Simon describes what penguins are and are not, presenting clear descriptions that will stay with young readers: When a penguin swallows food underwater, it also ingests salt water. Special glands drain the salt water into the penguin's nose. The salt water runs off its nose when the penguin surfaces. He includes anatomical facts, traces penguin life cycles, and introduces several common varieties. With the exception of one view of a leopard seal zeroing in on a kill, the large color photos present fetching views of these social, photogenic birds. Laurence Pringle's Penguins! Strange and Wonderful (2007), illustrated by Meryl Anderson, offers a greater range of information, but budding naturalists are likely to be drawn more strongly to the striking photos and clear exposition here. A perfunctory reading list rounds out the text.--Peters, John Copyright 2007 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-In his signature photo-essay format with appealing full-page color photographs, Simon provides a broad overview of Antarctic penguins' physical characteristics and behavior. Mating, egg laying, and care of the young are described, as are the animal predators and human factors that threaten the survival of penguins. A few species-emperor, king, gentoo, macaroni, Adelie-each get an individual page of description. Readers will find more detailed information in Laurence Pringle's Penguins! Strange and Wonderful (Boyds Mills, 2007) and in several of the many other books available on this popular animal, but Simon's photographs are eye-catching. A serviceable introduction that will have familiarity for the author's many fans.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Primary, Intermediate) In a voice perfectly attuned to the conceptual level of elementary-age readers, Simon works his usual magic on the facts about penguin behaviors, reproduction, and feeding, spending time on the topics that naturally fascinate children -- such as the way those ungainly penguin bodies glide so powerfully in the water and how penguin parents care for their young. The full-page color photographs competently capture that penguin appeal and are skillfully discussed in the narrative on the facing pages -- as when a picture of a lone adult penguin in a sea of juveniles accompanies Simon's explanation of how penguins recognize their offspring by their unique calls. Simon concludes the book with a tour of major species, focusing on visual distinctions in their size and markings. Glossary and index are appended.From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
