Publishers Weekly
Narrated by an antic pack of penguins, poems like Antarctic Anthem (Antarctica! Antarctica!/ Where winter days are dark-tica) humorously teach readers about life in an emperor penguin colony. Ages 3-7. (Apr.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature
A delightful collection of songs and poems about the Antarctic and its inhabitants, the penguins. The entertaining video teaches about the world and the behaviors of these adorable creatures. The songs are catchy and soft, the animation and the lyrics are funny and informative, as well as serious. The list of songs include—A Hatchling's Song, Mother Penguin's Vacation, My Father's Feet, Regurgitate, I Am Looking For My Mother, Penguin's First Swim, Predator Riddles, Diary of a Very Short Winter Day, Belly Sliding, and Be My Penguin. The inside of the cassette cover provides before and after viewing activities for home and classroom. The stated objectives are that children will investigate the life cycle and behaviors of penguins, explore life in the Antarctic, and learn about life under sea. This wonderful video will surely pique children's interest in the iciest continent on earth and in its fascinating inhabitants. 2000, Weston Woods Scholastic. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Ute Krappen-Clancy
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3These poems recount the imaginary life of a colony of emperor penguins as seen through the eyes of newly hatched chicks. The rhyming stanzas are sometimes awkward, but all in all a lighthearted spirit of fun and mischievousness prevails. Riddles about predators round out the collection, with answers found by turning the page. Whimsical, cartoonlike pen-and-watercolor illustrations of cavorting penguins reinforce the playful mood of the verses. This is a strictly additional purchase, but it might add a light touch to a unit on the antarctic.Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
Kirkus Reviews
A blithe collection of poems about emperor penguins based on factual information about the species. The book opens with "A Hatchling's Song": "I'm pecking hard./I'm tired, I'm weak,/It hurts my beak My head's outside./The moon is bright—/The world's so white!" While his mother takes a vacation, the hatchling settles in on his father's feet, snuggled into the soft belly fluff. It's a warm, safe place until the father takes a walk, provoking one of the funniest spreads, with the hatchling hanging on for dear life. "Regurgitate" is a humorous look at the youngster's dinner time. The young penguins make note of penguin enemies in the inventive "Predator Riddles." The penguins grow up: "Be My Penguin" is an adolescent courtship song that pokes fun at young love. The animated, icy doings are faithfully chronicled by Aruego and Dewey, but lest readers think this is all tongue-in-cheek, the author includes short list of further information. (Picture book/poetry. 4-8)
