Penguins Can't Fly! by Richard Byrne (2013-04-15)
on Goodreads (145)
What’s inside...
Gregory the gull and Hudson the penguin are the best of friends. When Gregory learns to fly, Hudson feels left out. But when Gregory gets into trouble, it's Hudson who comes to his rescue, discovering he also has a wonderful skill. This delightful color illustrated book tells the story of two baby birds who become friends: Gregory the gull and Hudson the penguin. As they grow, they do everything together--until the time comes for Gregory to fly. Hudson tries to fly along with his gull friend, only to find out that penguins can't fly. No matter how hard he tries, he simply cannot fly. Later, when the gulls spread out their net to fish they let Hudson help them. That's when Gregory and the other gulls discover something special that only a penguin can do. He is able to dive deep beneath the ocean's surface, take the net with him, and bring up a large catch of fish for all to enjoy. One day, as the birds are fishing, Hudson discovers that his friend Gregory is missing. Can anybody find and rescue poor Gregory? On this important day, the other gulls learn how good and valuable a friend Hudson the penguin truly is. Illustrations on every page.
Age
5-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the author chose penguins who can't fly for this story?
How did the penguin feel when he realized he couldn't fly? Have you ever felt that way?
What are some things the penguin can do, even though he can't fly?
How did the other characters in the book help the penguin feel better?
If you were in the story, what would you do to help the penguin?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story, linking it to their own experiences of overcoming challenges.
Highlight the values of empathy and friendship depicted in the book by discussing the supportive roles of other characters.
Ask your child to think creatively about alternative endings or adventures for the penguin, fostering imaginative thinking.
Use the illustrations in the book to engage younger children, asking them to describe what they see and how it relates to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Differences
Explanation: In 'Penguins Can't Fly!', two friends, a penguin and a giraffe, discover their unique differences but still find ways to play and have fun together.
Real-World Application: Children learn that everyone is unique, and these differences should be celebrated rather than shunned. This understanding can promote inclusivity and respect for diversity among peers.
Example Lesson: Innovation and Creativity
Explanation: When the penguin and the giraffe encounter problems playing together due to their physical differences, they come up with creative solutions that allow them to enjoy their time together.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively when facing challenges and teaches them that obstacles can often be overcome with innovative thinking.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite their initial struggles, the two friends do not give up on finding ways to play and interact with each other.
Real-World Application: This lesson instills in children the value of persistence and trying repeatedly, despite difficulties, which is a crucial skill in all areas of life.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The story highlights how, through mutual understanding and effort, strong friendships can be built and maintained.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to invest in their friendships and learn the importance of empathy, understanding, and teamwork in maintaining these relationships.