LITTLE PENGUIN STAYS AWAKE

In his third outing, not falling asleep is Little Penguin’s only hope for catching a shooting star and making a wish: that of being able to fly alongside his friends, the other birds, a dream he has always entertained.

Little Penguin is not exactly a night owl. To the contrary, he is an early-night creature for whom every attempt at staying up seems to be pointless and doomed to failure. Not even his friends, Kenneth the sea gull and Franklin the orca, whom he’s entrusted with keeping him awake, are successful. Tonight however, Little Penguin is determined to stay awake and not nod off. He will not shy away from any strategy in order to remain alert: no-blinking stints, stretching, jumping-jacks in the middle of the night; he will spare no efforts. He even reaches out to readers to assist in keeping him alert. Every time Little Penguin is about to fall asleep—and he shows signs quite often—readers are to shout, “WAKE UP, LITTLE PENGUIN!” Will this work? Lively two-page spreads with friendly illustrations done in a soft, Antarctic palette adorn the simple yet very creative premise of the book, creative use of vignettes helping to underscore the humor every time Little Penguin seems to sag into slumber. And the interactive shout-along approach will make for a very entertaining bedtime. Neighbors beware!

A meritorious and entertaining participatory tale. (Picture book. 4-8)