I Am Pangoo the Penguin - Hardcover

Satomi Ichikawa lives in Paris, France.

PreSchool-K–A stuffed penguin that has been a child's constant companion since infancy tells this cozy story. When new toys appear at Danny's birthday party and threaten Pangoo's status, he runs away to find a new home. First, he heads for the penguins at the Central Park Zoo. Once there, though, he sees that he doesn't fit in. He doesn't eat fish or like living in the cold like the real animals. Pangoo's realization of his proper place won't come as a surprise to adults, but the reassuring ending will be comforting to young children. The tale, smoothly and concisely written, is familiar, but Ichikawa's lovely watercolors are distinctive, making splendid use of line and color to convey character and atmosphere. The figures seem to have real depth and weight, and, especially in the pictures of Danny tumbling about as a baby, movement as well. The blue showing Pangoo alone and forgotten after Danny opens his gifts is an icy, isolating color, while the blue of the water where the zoo penguins swim is charged with green and full of life.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
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