PENGUINS AT HOME

A close look at the Southern Gentoos, largest of the penguins on the Antarctic peninsula. Each page gives a color photo, a one- word heading, and a brief text detailing some aspect of the penguins' life—from arrival at the nesting area in the summer, when the temperature is a ``scorchingly hot'' 45 degrees, till the maturing chicks join their parents in the icy waters off the bottom of the world. Good scientific detail: the author describes how penguins flap their flippers to reduce overheating, how the glacial cliffs ``look like they've been sprayed with pink paint'' due to microscopic pink algae growing on penguin droppings, and how countershading keeps the penguins safe from predators. Crisp, appealing photos help tell the story. Map; brief bibliography; index. (Nonfiction. 5-12)