Penguin and Little Blue
What’s inside...
Penguin and Little Blue are performers in the show business industry far away from their home in Antarctica. They miss their feathered friends and find show business to be hard work. Staying in a Kansas hotel, their only comforts are an ice machine and a bathtub. They dream of returning to the white ice of Antarctica, enjoying ice cakes and ice falls. They now face the challenge of escaping the world of show business to return to their homeland. Despite their success as performers, Penguin and Little Blue long to return home to Antarctica to once again revel in the joys of white ice, blue ice, pancake ice, pencil ice, ice cakes, and ice falls, and set into motion a clever plan to get there!
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Penguin
Little Blue
Discussion points
How do you think Penguin felt when he first met Little Blue?
Why is it important to have friends who are different from us?
What can we learn from how Penguin and Little Blue helped each other?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend or a friend helped you? How did that make you feel?
What would you do if you found yourself in a new place like Little Blue?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voice modulation to depict the emotions of Penguin and Little Blue, making the reading experience more immersive.
Encourage your child to imagine and describe the setting, asking questions about the icy, snowy backdrop and how it might feel to be there.
After reading, connect the story to your child’s life by discussing their personal experiences with friends and new environments.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene from the book, expressing their interpretation and feelings about the friendship between the characters.
Create a simple 'What would you do?' game where you and your child come up with various scenarios that Penguin and Little Blue might encounter and discuss possible outcomes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, Penguin and Little Blue demonstrate a strong bond and support for each other which reflects the significance of friendship.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by learning to help and support their friends in daily situations, building strong and supportive relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage to Try New Things
Explanation: Penguin encourages Little Blue to explore new activities, showcasing the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be open to new experiences, whether it's trying a new sport, or participating in class, enhancing their personal growth and self-confidence.
Example Lesson: Importance of Communication
Explanation: The characters often engage in meaningful conversations to resolve their challenges, emphasizing effective communication.
Real-World Application: Children learn to express their thoughts and feelings clearly and listen to others, which is vital for their social development and resolving conflicts peacefully.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Penguin shows empathy towards Little Blue’s fears and hesitations, teaching that understanding others' emotions is crucial.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children to be empathetic towards their peers, fostering a more caring and inclusive environment.