Written by Cathryn Sill
Reviewed by Heidi Roemer
Bio by Laura Crawford
Book Source: This book was borrowed from Elmhurst Library for review.
Many second and third graders know that penguins cannot fly and that these birds do not live on the North Pole with Santa. But there is still much to learn about these fascinating creatures, and Cathryn Sill’s About Penguins offers a solid introduction. Some readers may be surprised to learn that a few penguin species prefer warm weather. For example, the Humboldt Penguin lives along the coasts of Chili and Peru. Here cactus grows and the climate is hot and dry. The Galapagos Penguin lives on the Galapagos Island at the Earth’s equator. Illustrations reveal that the penguin shares this tropical climate and rocky landscape with crabs and iguanas!
What other surprising penguin facts might readers learn? Unlike the nest-less King and Emperor Penguin that prefer to incubate its egg on its feet, the Chinstrap Penguin builds makes a nest of rocks and pebbles, while the Megellanic Penguin nestles its egg in a burrow under the ground. Amazing!
Appealing, full-page watercolor renderings by wildlife illustrator John Sill reveal penguins in their natural settings. Accompanying each detailed illustration, the opposite page offers a brief single-sentence statement about some aspect of the penguins’ behavior, geographic preference, diet, nesting habits, or survival techniques. This husband and wife team introduces all seventeen penguin species, inspiring young naturalists to learn more. Bird lovers will enjoy poring over the additional facts noted in the Afterword. A glossary, list of recommended books, and related websites are included. Teachers may find this book a delightful paring with fiction favorites such as Helen Lester’s Tacky the Penguin and Newberry Honor book, Mr. Popper’s Penguins.
For additional informative reads, check out other titles in Peachtree’s acclaimed ABOUT… series.
What other surprising penguin facts might readers learn? Unlike the nest-less King and Emperor Penguin that prefer to incubate its egg on its feet, the Chinstrap Penguin builds makes a nest of rocks and pebbles, while the Megellanic Penguin nestles its egg in a burrow under the ground. Amazing!
Appealing, full-page watercolor renderings by wildlife illustrator John Sill reveal penguins in their natural settings. Accompanying each detailed illustration, the opposite page offers a brief single-sentence statement about some aspect of the penguins’ behavior, geographic preference, diet, nesting habits, or survival techniques. This husband and wife team introduces all seventeen penguin species, inspiring young naturalists to learn more. Bird lovers will enjoy poring over the additional facts noted in the Afterword. A glossary, list of recommended books, and related websites are included. Teachers may find this book a delightful paring with fiction favorites such as Helen Lester’s Tacky the Penguin and Newberry Honor book, Mr. Popper’s Penguins.
For additional informative reads, check out other titles in Peachtree’s acclaimed ABOUT… series.
Cathryn Sill, a former elementary school teacher, and her husband John live in North Carolina. They are the author and illustrator of About Penguins: A Guide for Children by Peachtree Publishing. Carolyn has written several nonfiction children's books including About Rodents, About Marsupials and About Birds. Her husband John is a freelance artist who shared his love of birds with his aunt and his artistic ability with his father. John's work is frequently on exhibit and is featured in various books, magazines and calendars. Cathryn and John live in North Carolina.
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Simply Science blog.
The Galapagos Islands are the most incredible living museum of evolutionary changes and the Galapagos penguins are a good example of it.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great resource. We'd all enjoy learning more about different species of penguins.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments! One great thing about reviewing these books is that I am learning new things all the time, too!
ReplyDelete