Sandra Boynton's Your Personal Penguin -- Will you be my friend?
Written: Dec 09 '07
Product Rating:
Pros: Cute illustrations, teaches the value & importance of friendship, sturdy, free song download
Cons: None :)
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for an addition to your child's library that helps to teach the concept of friendship, look no further than Sandra Boynton's Personal Penguin.
gatorgirlie's Full Review: Sandra Boynton - Your Personal Penguin
By now, dear reader, many of you have figured out exactly how extensive my Sandra Boynton collection is. In my opinion, there's no other author out there who can compare with Boynton with regards to the toddler/preschooler set. She has written and illustrated many classic stories that generations to come are going to read to their little ones -- they are the perfect books for young children, with their language, tone, messages and illustrations perfect for those just being introduced to books. They truly are a great way to start your child on the path of reading for a lifetime.
Book Info
This is the board book version (I believe it's the only version out there) with 24 pages and a cost of $6.95. You can also go online to download the song as sung by Davy Jones for free (the song is adorable, by the way). The pages are high-gloss, sturdy, and very easy to turn for toddlers. It is published by Workman Publishing.
The story of a bewildered Hippo and an adoring Penguin
This isn't a book that teaches the alphabet, colors or numbers. It is, instead, a book that teaches the importance of being a good friend. The book opens up with a very confused Hippo being befriended by a loving Penguin. The Penguin talks about how much he wants to be the Hippo's friend (I use he because it's easier). The Penguin talks about how much he wants to hang out with the Hippo, talk and listen to his problems anywhere, anytime. The illustrations are cute, simple and whimsical -- following the Penguin and Hippo around as the Penguin talks about how cool it would be if they were friends. While simple, the illustrations are classic Boynton.
The book doesn't really rhyme all that much, but it is a very lyrical book. In fact, before I even downloaded the song, I sung the words to this book. While they're fun to read in a normal voice, it's so much better to sing them. Needless to say, my son loves this book. Not only does he like it when I sing to him (I'm not sure why), we like to go through the pictures and point out various items. It's improving his vocabulary just by having pictures of things like violins, meatballs and a hot air balloon pictured on its pages.
Overall
What a great way to teach younger ones the value of having friends and keeping them by being a good friend. The book is fun to read and my son loves it. He always wants to hear me read the "penguin" book while snuggling in my lap. When he's a little older, it will be a good starting point for a conversation on not only what it takes to be a good friend, but also how to make friends and keep them. It's not a long book (which definitely suits a toddler's personality), so it's a great introductory book for the younger set.
If you're looking to expand your child's book collection, I'd definitely look into picking up Personal Penguin by Sandra Boynton. Cute words, free song, fun illustrations and a sweet concept make it a terrific addition to your beginning reader's library.
The irrepressible, ever-original Boynton introduces a brand new Boynton board book plus free song available for download. The book tells the story of ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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