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TACKY THE PENGUIN

Name: TACKY THE PENGUIN
Author: Helen Lester

by Helen Lester developed by Oceanhouse Media ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

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Tacky the Penguin wears loud shirts and sings horribly, a contrast to the perfect, preened members of his flock (who've got names like "Neatly" and "Perfect"). But when hunters come seeking pretty penguins, it's Tacky's lack of… well… tact that saves the day. The iPad-app version of the 1990 book doesn't work much to improve upon the hilarious first adventure of the "odd bird," but the developer's trademark less-is-more approach enhances what's there without overdoing things with needless features. Animated snow is ever-present, falling slowly on every page. Background music blends gracefully with sound effects (the penguin singing is particularly well done). And the narration is lively enough to match the sharp text and expressive illustrations. Like many of the apps developed by Oceanhouse Media, every object and word on the page is read out loud when touched, and page flipping is done with simple swipes. As Tacky is prone to do to his penguin friends, the developers deserve a "hearty slap on the back and a loud 'What's happening?' " Charming and oh-so-neatly put together. (iPad storybook app. 3-9)

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2011

- BOOK REVIEW
BRAVO, BUCKET HEAD!
by Helen Lester ; illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

- BOOK REVIEW
BORIS AND THE WORRISOME WAKIES
by Helen Lester ; illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

- BOOK REVIEW
TACKY AND THE HAUNTED IGLOO
by Helen Lester ; illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

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TALES FOR VERY PICKY EATERS

by Josh Schneider & illustrated by Josh Schneider ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2011

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Broccoli: No way is James going to eat broccoli. “It’s disgusting,” says James. Well then, James, says his father, let’s consider the alternatives: some wormy dirt, perhaps, some stinky socks, some pre-chewed gum? James reconsiders the broccoli, but—milk? “Blech,” says James. Right, says his father, who needs strong bones? You’ll be great at hide-and-seek, though not so great at baseball and kickball and even tickling the dog’s belly. James takes a mouthful. So it goes through lumpy oatmeal, mushroom lasagna and slimy eggs, with James’ father parrying his son’s every picky thrust. And it is fun, because the father’s retorts are so outlandish: the lasagna-making troll in the basement who will be sent back to the rat circus, there to endure the rodent’s vicious bites; the uneaten oatmeal that will grow and grow and probably devour the dog that the boy won’t be able to tickle any longer since his bones are so rubbery. Schneider’s watercolors catch the mood of gentle ribbing, the looks of bewilderment and surrender and the deadpanned malarkey. It all makes James’ father’s last urging—“I was just going to say that you might like them if you tried them”—wholly fresh and unexpected advice. (Early reader. 5-9)

Pub Date: May 1, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-547-14956-1

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Clarion Books

Review Posted Online: April 4, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2011

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
ULTRABOT'S FIRST PLAYDATE
by Josh Schneider ; illustrated by Josh Schneider

- BOOK REVIEW
KID AMAZING VS. THE BLOB
by Josh Schneider ; illustrated by Josh Schneider

- BOOK REVIEW
EVERYBODY SLEEPS (BUT NOT FRED)
by Josh Schneider ; illustrated by Josh Schneider

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THE WATER PRINCESS

by Susan Verde ; illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2016

Though told by two outsiders to the culture, this timely and well-crafted story will educate readers on the preciousness of...

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An international story tackles a serious global issue with Reynolds’ characteristic visual whimsy.

Gie Gie—aka Princess Gie Gie—lives with her parents in Burkina Faso. In her kingdom under “the African sky, so wild and so close,” she can tame wild dogs with her song and make grass sway, but despite grand attempts, she can neither bring the water closer to home nor make it clean. French words such as “maintenant!” (now!) and “maman” (mother) and local color like the karite tree and shea nuts place the story in a French-speaking African country. Every morning, Gie Gie and her mother perch rings of cloth and large clay pots on their heads and walk miles to the nearest well to fetch murky, brown water. The story is inspired by model Georgie Badiel, who founded the Georgie Badiel Foundation to make clean water accessible to West Africans. The details in Reynolds’ expressive illustrations highlight the beauty of the West African landscape and of Princess Gie Gie, with her cornrowed and beaded hair, but will also help readers understand that everyone needs clean water—from the children of Burkina Faso to the children of Flint, Michigan.

Though told by two outsiders to the culture, this timely and well-crafted story will educate readers on the preciousness of potable water. (Picture book. 5-8)