Turtle's Penguin Day
not part of a series
on Goodreads (461)
What’s inside...
Turtle is so excited by the book about penguins that his dad reads him at bedtime that he decides he wants to be a penguin. So the next morning, he creates a penguin costume, grabs his book, and heads for the schoolbus. His kindergarten classmates are thrilled. They all want to be penguins too! Turtle shows his book to his teacher, and all day long he and his classmates do as the penguins do—they slide down the slide on their bellies during recess, form a waddling conga line at music time, and snack on goldfish crackers. It's a super-cool penguin day! This delightful picture book from Valeri Gorbachev is a perfect blueprint for teachers (and kids) to plan penguin days of their own.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Turtle feel when he dressed up as a penguin, and why do you think he felt that way?
What are some differences and similarities between turtles and penguins that you noticed in the story?
Why is it important for Turtle to try new things, like pretending to be a penguin?
How did Turtle's friends react to his penguin day, and what does this tell us about friendship?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about the characters' emotions and actions to enhance empathy and understanding.
Discuss the concept of trying new things and how it can be both exciting and scary, relating it to experiences in your child’s life.
Use the illustrations in the book to point out details about each animal, fostering observation and cognitive skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding others' experiences
Explanation: In 'Turtle's Penguin Day,' the turtle dresses up as a penguin and experiences life from a penguin's perspective.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of empathy by understanding and respecting how others feel, promoting better interactions and friendships.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The turtle uses imaginative play to explore being a penguin, highlighting the value of creativity.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to engage in creative play, enhancing cognitive development and problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Learning about different environments
Explanation: Through the turtle's exploration, the book introduces children to different habitats and the creatures that live there.
Real-World Application: Provides a basic understanding of ecology and geography, sparking curiosity about the natural world.
Example Lesson: The value of play
Explanation: The story shows that playing and having fun are important parts of learning and understanding.
Real-World Application: Reinforces to children that through play, they can learn important lessons and social skills.