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Animal Problems #1
Penguin Problems
What?!
Oh, you're going to read this book? Somehow I seriously doubt that. I bet you won't even finish reading this flap.
Don't worry about it. Why would you want to learn about some penguin's problems when you have plenty of problems of your own? Just look around. The world's a mess!
Besides, you probably don't even like penguins. Heck, I barely like penguins and I am a penguin.
Seriously, I'll understand if you put the book back on the shelf. Go ahead. It's for the best.
I'm sure you'd just get a bunch of paper cuts, anyway. And you'd probably bend the pages. And you'd get your little fingerprints everywhere.
When was the last time you washed those grubby hands of yours? No offense.
Sigh.
Listen: I'm going back to bed. Read, don't read. Buy, don't buy. Whatever.
Just try not to wake me up.
I'm a light sleeper.
And I have a lot on my mind.
Oh, you're going to read this book? Somehow I seriously doubt that. I bet you won't even finish reading this flap.
Don't worry about it. Why would you want to learn about some penguin's problems when you have plenty of problems of your own? Just look around. The world's a mess!
Besides, you probably don't even like penguins. Heck, I barely like penguins and I am a penguin.
Seriously, I'll understand if you put the book back on the shelf. Go ahead. It's for the best.
I'm sure you'd just get a bunch of paper cuts, anyway. And you'd probably bend the pages. And you'd get your little fingerprints everywhere.
When was the last time you washed those grubby hands of yours? No offense.
Sigh.
Listen: I'm going back to bed. Read, don't read. Buy, don't buy. Whatever.
Just try not to wake me up.
I'm a light sleeper.
And I have a lot on my mind.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2016
About the author
Jory John
56 books587 followersJory John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor recipient.
Jory's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, both illustrated by Pete Oswald. He is also the author of the popular picture books, Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith, the award-winning Goodnight Already! series, illustrated by Benji Davies, the New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, the recent picture books Quit Calling Me a Monster! (with Bob Shea), Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? (with Liz Climo), and the international bestseller, All my friends are dead, among many other books for both children and adults.
Jory's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, both illustrated by Pete Oswald. He is also the author of the popular picture books, Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith, the award-winning Goodnight Already! series, illustrated by Benji Davies, the New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, the recent picture books Quit Calling Me a Monster! (with Bob Shea), Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? (with Liz Climo), and the international bestseller, All my friends are dead, among many other books for both children and adults.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 811 reviews
January 9, 2019
I'm kind of sad that I can't give this book a higher rating, because I thought the snarky penguin was funny and the illustrations made me smile. Unfortunately, this book is problematic in a number of ways.
The main character is a penguin who feels like he's got it rough. There are predators to worry about, the sun is too bright, the sea is too salty, he can't find his friends and family because everybody looks exactly the same, and to top it all off, he can't even fly. His complaining is so over-the-top that it's kind of amusing... and is probably supposed to be.
But then, a walrus comes on the scene. First of all, walruses don't even live in Antarctica. So there's no way the penguin would've known he was a walrus. Nor would he have known what the heck the walrus was talking about when he mentioned polar bears. (Walruses and polar bears are both Arctic creatures; penguins live in the Antarctic region.) As if that isn't bad enough, the walrus then presumes to know that he understands a penguin's problems and then completely invalidates the penguin's feelings.
As someone living with an invisible disability, I've had to listen to walruses for a long time: "Other people have it worse." "At least it's not cancer." "Why don't you just appreciate what you have?" When people start giving advice when they have zero experience with what you're going through, it's extremely frustrating. The condescending walrus has never lived a penguin's life; therefore, he has no right to tell the penguin how he should feel about it. In a general sense, the walrus's advice is okay (appreciate what's around you, etc.) but it might rub people who have dealt with walruses in their own lives the wrong way.
The illustrations are much cuter than the cover suggests. I don't know why someone didn't choose a less cluttered illustration for the cover. (When I look at it in a thumbnail, I actually see skunks, not penguins!) There are so many cute pictures on the inside, it wouldn't have been difficult to come up with something a little more aesthetically pleasing.
Overall, I can't really recommend this one. I don't like books that promote the idea that you should go around passing judgment on people because they're not feeling the same way about life that you are. It's presumptuous, it's disrespectful, and its a glaring display of privilege. And in the case of this book, it would be like a tourist from New York City going to the streets of New Delhi and telling a homeless person, "Be grateful. At least you don't have to worry about snow."
The main character is a penguin who feels like he's got it rough. There are predators to worry about, the sun is too bright, the sea is too salty, he can't find his friends and family because everybody looks exactly the same, and to top it all off, he can't even fly. His complaining is so over-the-top that it's kind of amusing... and is probably supposed to be.
But then, a walrus comes on the scene. First of all, walruses don't even live in Antarctica. So there's no way the penguin would've known he was a walrus. Nor would he have known what the heck the walrus was talking about when he mentioned polar bears. (Walruses and polar bears are both Arctic creatures; penguins live in the Antarctic region.) As if that isn't bad enough, the walrus then presumes to know that he understands a penguin's problems and then completely invalidates the penguin's feelings.
As someone living with an invisible disability, I've had to listen to walruses for a long time: "Other people have it worse." "At least it's not cancer." "Why don't you just appreciate what you have?" When people start giving advice when they have zero experience with what you're going through, it's extremely frustrating. The condescending walrus has never lived a penguin's life; therefore, he has no right to tell the penguin how he should feel about it. In a general sense, the walrus's advice is okay (appreciate what's around you, etc.) but it might rub people who have dealt with walruses in their own lives the wrong way.
The illustrations are much cuter than the cover suggests. I don't know why someone didn't choose a less cluttered illustration for the cover. (When I look at it in a thumbnail, I actually see skunks, not penguins!) There are so many cute pictures on the inside, it wouldn't have been difficult to come up with something a little more aesthetically pleasing.
Overall, I can't really recommend this one. I don't like books that promote the idea that you should go around passing judgment on people because they're not feeling the same way about life that you are. It's presumptuous, it's disrespectful, and its a glaring display of privilege. And in the case of this book, it would be like a tourist from New York City going to the streets of New Delhi and telling a homeless person, "Be grateful. At least you don't have to worry about snow."
October 1, 2016
Wonderful!
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Penguin Problems by Jory John & Lane Smith
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 27, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Review copy sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
A penguin levels with human readers about what penguin life is really like—and it isn’t all fun and games.
Have you ever considered running away to Antarctica? Of course you have! Because it’s a land free of worries and responsibilities! All of your problems will surely be blown away by the icy winds of that lawless paradise! . . . Won’t they?
Think again, my friend. This penguin has come to tell you that his life down there is no more a picnic than yours is here. For starters, it is FREEZING. Also, penguins have a ton of natural predators. Plus, can you imagine trying to find your mom in a big ol’ crowd of identical penguins? No, thank you.
Yes, it seems there is no escaping the drudgery of your daily grind, whatever it might be. Or perhaps we’ve just learned that grumps are everywhere. . . .
What I Liked:
Maybe I'm an odd duck (or... penguin?) but I love picture books! They are so cute and funny, and wonderfully uplifting. This book spoke to me, which I thought was amazing. The fact that a message for a small child could also be applicable to a twenty-one-year-old, or adults in general, is amazing.
In this book, an adorable penguin has so many complaints and problems, and it seems like no one is listening. Life is hard, and it feels like he is shouting into the void. Will things start to look up for the penguin?
This review is going to be fairly short, and hey, the book is only thirty-two pages. I loved the story, as short as it was. It is rather dense if you read between the lines. For a kid, it might seem like a funny story about a penguin who has a lot of complaints (some silly, some exaggerated), but for an adult... it represents the real world, and real life. There are so many things that all of us could complain about, and it seems like no one is listening.
The ending is very interesting. A walrus approaches our grumpy penguin and talks to him. You'll have to read it to know what I mean. But the messages in this book are so powerful, for children and for adults alike. You know Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss, a children's book that has a lot of attention in the adult world? I personally think Penguin Problems should be right up there with Oh, The Places You'll Go!.
One final note - the illustrations are amazing! I love the style. Seriously, there should be a Penguin Problems coloring book with this novel!
What I Did Not Like:
Nothing here! This book was great.
Would I Recommend It:
I highly recommend this book, for little kids or for adults (or both). Sometimes we adults can learn a lot from kids, and from kids' books. I am definitely going to share this one with my little cousins!
Rating:
4 stars. This book is cute and funny but it is also so meaningful and important.
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Penguin Problems by Jory John & Lane Smith
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 27, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Review copy sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
A penguin levels with human readers about what penguin life is really like—and it isn’t all fun and games.
Have you ever considered running away to Antarctica? Of course you have! Because it’s a land free of worries and responsibilities! All of your problems will surely be blown away by the icy winds of that lawless paradise! . . . Won’t they?
Think again, my friend. This penguin has come to tell you that his life down there is no more a picnic than yours is here. For starters, it is FREEZING. Also, penguins have a ton of natural predators. Plus, can you imagine trying to find your mom in a big ol’ crowd of identical penguins? No, thank you.
Yes, it seems there is no escaping the drudgery of your daily grind, whatever it might be. Or perhaps we’ve just learned that grumps are everywhere. . . .
What I Liked:
Maybe I'm an odd duck (or... penguin?) but I love picture books! They are so cute and funny, and wonderfully uplifting. This book spoke to me, which I thought was amazing. The fact that a message for a small child could also be applicable to a twenty-one-year-old, or adults in general, is amazing.
In this book, an adorable penguin has so many complaints and problems, and it seems like no one is listening. Life is hard, and it feels like he is shouting into the void. Will things start to look up for the penguin?
This review is going to be fairly short, and hey, the book is only thirty-two pages. I loved the story, as short as it was. It is rather dense if you read between the lines. For a kid, it might seem like a funny story about a penguin who has a lot of complaints (some silly, some exaggerated), but for an adult... it represents the real world, and real life. There are so many things that all of us could complain about, and it seems like no one is listening.
The ending is very interesting. A walrus approaches our grumpy penguin and talks to him. You'll have to read it to know what I mean. But the messages in this book are so powerful, for children and for adults alike. You know Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss, a children's book that has a lot of attention in the adult world? I personally think Penguin Problems should be right up there with Oh, The Places You'll Go!.
One final note - the illustrations are amazing! I love the style. Seriously, there should be a Penguin Problems coloring book with this novel!
What I Did Not Like:
Nothing here! This book was great.
Would I Recommend It:
I highly recommend this book, for little kids or for adults (or both). Sometimes we adults can learn a lot from kids, and from kids' books. I am definitely going to share this one with my little cousins!
Rating:
4 stars. This book is cute and funny but it is also so meaningful and important.
December 6, 2016
Another work storytime miss. The kids got annoyed by the fifth page of complaints, though they did enjoy looking at the artwork. The walrus harangue went completely over their heads, and I had to define three words for them to understand what was meant. The older two were disgusted when the penguin complained again, and half asked me to read a different story.
What is up with modern picture book writers giving us whiny characters and then doing an info dump with twenty dollar words that most adults couldn't define?
What is up with modern picture book writers giving us whiny characters and then doing an info dump with twenty dollar words that most adults couldn't define?
October 28, 2020
As a former child, I could relate one hundred percent to Penguin's plight.
Sometimes you just need to express your frustration at anything and everything. Life isn't perfect, and it will disappoint you. Seven-year-old me would have been eager to grumble right along with Penguin, and maybe even kick a little dirt around in exasperation.
But it's just as important to remind yourself that it's miraculous you're here. Recognizing that a change in your perspective can help you see things in a whole new light? That is the key to making the best of what you've got.
And if you really think about it, Walrus had a point: what you've got is pretty darned good.
Even if you do look a little silly when you waddle.
Sometimes you just need to express your frustration at anything and everything. Life isn't perfect, and it will disappoint you. Seven-year-old me would have been eager to grumble right along with Penguin, and maybe even kick a little dirt around in exasperation.
But it's just as important to remind yourself that it's miraculous you're here. Recognizing that a change in your perspective can help you see things in a whole new light? That is the key to making the best of what you've got.
And if you really think about it, Walrus had a point: what you've got is pretty darned good.
Even if you do look a little silly when you waddle.
September 1, 2016
So funny, lots to relate to, and an ending that feels imperfect in a good way. Could be read every day of the year in my book.
November 13, 2017
Book reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Penguin Problems is an interesting short children’s book. It is A4 in size and filled to the brim with mainly black, white and orange illustrations that have a matt hand-drawn look to them. The text is orange too, and there aren’t too many words on each page, meaning it wouldn’t be overbearing for a child learning to read.
The story is about a penguin who really doesn’t like being one. The place is too cold, there are lots of creatures in the ocean trying to eat him, everyone looks the same, and on and on he goes. One day he meets a walrus who tries to teach him to be appreciative of his situation and surroundings, but will he listen?
This is a lovely little book which is fun to read. It is imaginative, cleverly written and it will make children giggle at the grumpy little penguin and his ‘problems’. The illustrations also capture the penguins expressions perfectly.
This is a great book that will make a child smile. It would also be perfect for a gift for a young child too (especially with Christmas arriving soon).
Penguin Problems is an interesting short children’s book. It is A4 in size and filled to the brim with mainly black, white and orange illustrations that have a matt hand-drawn look to them. The text is orange too, and there aren’t too many words on each page, meaning it wouldn’t be overbearing for a child learning to read.
The story is about a penguin who really doesn’t like being one. The place is too cold, there are lots of creatures in the ocean trying to eat him, everyone looks the same, and on and on he goes. One day he meets a walrus who tries to teach him to be appreciative of his situation and surroundings, but will he listen?
This is a lovely little book which is fun to read. It is imaginative, cleverly written and it will make children giggle at the grumpy little penguin and his ‘problems’. The illustrations also capture the penguins expressions perfectly.
This is a great book that will make a child smile. It would also be perfect for a gift for a young child too (especially with Christmas arriving soon).
October 11, 2016
Amazing. From the front cover to the front flap to the actual story to the very end. This book is incredible.
August 2, 2024
این «آقا یه توت ما رو نجات داد»ترین کتاب کودکی بود که خوندم. :))
فکر کنم دارم به این نویسنده علاقهمند میشم. جوری جان.
فکر کنم دارم به این نویسنده علاقهمند میشم. جوری جان.
December 2, 2016
This was recommended to me by my co-worker and I am so grateful to her that I read it. A touching tale of a penguin who is just having a very bad day, filled with dread, and not feeling very hopeful. Then the penguin meets a philosophical walrus who helps him with dealing with these emotions and points out the wondrous things to be thankful for.
March 4, 2016
"My beak is cold."
"The ocean smells too salty today."
"What's with all the squawking, you guys?"
"Oh, great. A leopard seal."
Oh my word. Penguin is my spirit animal.
Thank you Jory John and Lane Smith - I'll be purchasing this one for the library, for home, and for gifts.
"The ocean smells too salty today."
"What's with all the squawking, you guys?"
"Oh, great. A leopard seal."
Oh my word. Penguin is my spirit animal.
Thank you Jory John and Lane Smith - I'll be purchasing this one for the library, for home, and for gifts.
June 27, 2016
So so cute! Penguin is my spirit animal. This one is perfect for 5-year-olds, 25-year-olds (like me!), and 86-year-olds alike. Penguin's voice is snarky and funny, and I'm definitely going to have to read this one in a story time at the library. Love the illustrations too!
February 29, 2020
short & sweet
September 20, 2023
Maybe things will work out, after all.
بچه بودم باید میخوندم اینو، خیلی غرغرو بودم😑
بچه بودم باید میخوندم اینو، خیلی غرغرو بودم😑
June 28, 2016
Full reviewHERE
"Everybody's got problems, good luck with yours." ~Bernie Packard
This is a common quote that is repeated in our small town. It just cracks me up every time I hear it because it always reminds me of all the Negative Nancy's I meet. You know the person that always has to bring up the negative side of ANY situation. Every family has one. Currently in our house, it is #Hurricane, our middle child.
He is our Penguin.
I sat both my boys down to read #penguinproblems to them and use my best disgruntled voice possible, I was really determined to get the point of this book across. My 5 year old ate it up and made little comments about how unhappy the Penguin was while #Hurricane laid there silent, on his face. #palmtoface
Midway through he turned over and hid his grin after I said we were reading a book about him. I told him we were changing his nickname to penguin, he frowned but kept listening.
After the book was over our conversation went like this:
Me: So, what was up with that Penguin? Did he learn anything?
5 year old: yea, I think.
Hurricane: He learned to be grateful for the things he has.
*Me thinking "Ah, so he did get the plot"
Me: So what are you grateful for?
5 year old: Hockey, yea hockey is on ice. I loooove it so much.
*He has never seen a hockey puck in his life.
Me: okay, cool. Hurricane what about you?
Hurricane: Nothing.
Me: What?! Nothing? Really?
Hurricane: Nope, nothing.
Me: Huh.
Hurricane: Fine, I am grateful for our house and all the other stuff I'm supposed to say. I learned to not argue and be happy mom, I just didn't want to say it right now.
Me: *internally screams and shoots daggers toward child. That's nice.
Penguin Problems is a great children's book for teaching young readers to see the good in their life instead of all the negative, because lets face it, life is SO unfair when you are 8 or younger. The text has the droll yet funny personality of a complainer with illustrations to match. It is really easy to manipulate for reading aloud and just the right length to keep small children's attention.
I highly recommend this book for elementary teachers. There are so many areas that this book could cover: feelings, being different but yet the same, manners, animals in the arctic, predators, even technology. There is a hashtag that is attached to this book: #penguinproblems. It would be really fun to create an activity off of that, I mean I know I would eat it up but I'm odd. Any avenue to introduce technology to kids is a win in my book. #punintended
This is also a great book to gift. I will be purchasing several copies of this book when the holiday season hits!
"Everybody's got problems, good luck with yours." ~Bernie Packard
This is a common quote that is repeated in our small town. It just cracks me up every time I hear it because it always reminds me of all the Negative Nancy's I meet. You know the person that always has to bring up the negative side of ANY situation. Every family has one. Currently in our house, it is #Hurricane, our middle child.
He is our Penguin.
I sat both my boys down to read #penguinproblems to them and use my best disgruntled voice possible, I was really determined to get the point of this book across. My 5 year old ate it up and made little comments about how unhappy the Penguin was while #Hurricane laid there silent, on his face. #palmtoface
Midway through he turned over and hid his grin after I said we were reading a book about him. I told him we were changing his nickname to penguin, he frowned but kept listening.
After the book was over our conversation went like this:
Me: So, what was up with that Penguin? Did he learn anything?
5 year old: yea, I think.
Hurricane: He learned to be grateful for the things he has.
*Me thinking "Ah, so he did get the plot"
Me: So what are you grateful for?
5 year old: Hockey, yea hockey is on ice. I loooove it so much.
*He has never seen a hockey puck in his life.
Me: okay, cool. Hurricane what about you?
Hurricane: Nothing.
Me: What?! Nothing? Really?
Hurricane: Nope, nothing.
Me: Huh.
Hurricane: Fine, I am grateful for our house and all the other stuff I'm supposed to say. I learned to not argue and be happy mom, I just didn't want to say it right now.
Me: *internally screams and shoots daggers toward child. That's nice.
Penguin Problems is a great children's book for teaching young readers to see the good in their life instead of all the negative, because lets face it, life is SO unfair when you are 8 or younger. The text has the droll yet funny personality of a complainer with illustrations to match. It is really easy to manipulate for reading aloud and just the right length to keep small children's attention.
I highly recommend this book for elementary teachers. There are so many areas that this book could cover: feelings, being different but yet the same, manners, animals in the arctic, predators, even technology. There is a hashtag that is attached to this book: #penguinproblems. It would be really fun to create an activity off of that, I mean I know I would eat it up but I'm odd. Any avenue to introduce technology to kids is a win in my book. #punintended
This is also a great book to gift. I will be purchasing several copies of this book when the holiday season hits!
October 18, 2016
I've heard so much about Jory John's work throughout the years, I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I hadn't actually read anything of his until Penguin Problems. But perhaps that's for the best, because I got to start off with an amazing, funny book.
John introduces us to Penguin, who is rather annoyed with the world. Nothing's to Penguin's liking - the cold, the snow and even Penguin's breakfast are just not up to snuff. But wisdom comes in the form of a new friend...
There are so many things to delight in about John's book - I mean, just look at the illustration on that cover! - but my absolutely favorite thing about this book is John's ability to breathe life into a simple, age-old adage: looking on the bright side of life.
John charmingly shows how easy it is to fall into a rut of complaining, and creating a glass half-empty approach to life Thanks in part to Lane Smith's beautifully detailed illustrations, it's also easy to believe Penguin's assertions, because of Penguin's adamant expression and hilariously grumpy movements.
So it makes Walrus's sage advice all the more impactful, when he encourages Penguin to look at the world in a different way. But John makes it a point of not sounding patronizing or belittling when having Walrus make that point, which will likely be appreciated by younger readers who have struggled to make that same mental transition as Penguin.
Bottom line: this is a delightful book, full stop. Highly, highly recommend.
John introduces us to Penguin, who is rather annoyed with the world. Nothing's to Penguin's liking - the cold, the snow and even Penguin's breakfast are just not up to snuff. But wisdom comes in the form of a new friend...
There are so many things to delight in about John's book - I mean, just look at the illustration on that cover! - but my absolutely favorite thing about this book is John's ability to breathe life into a simple, age-old adage: looking on the bright side of life.
John charmingly shows how easy it is to fall into a rut of complaining, and creating a glass half-empty approach to life Thanks in part to Lane Smith's beautifully detailed illustrations, it's also easy to believe Penguin's assertions, because of Penguin's adamant expression and hilariously grumpy movements.
So it makes Walrus's sage advice all the more impactful, when he encourages Penguin to look at the world in a different way. But John makes it a point of not sounding patronizing or belittling when having Walrus make that point, which will likely be appreciated by younger readers who have struggled to make that same mental transition as Penguin.
Bottom line: this is a delightful book, full stop. Highly, highly recommend.
December 1, 2016
Some days can get pretty grim. You get overwhelmed, nothing is seeming to go your way, there’s a leopard seal trying to eat you. But when you think you hit rock bottom with all your many problems, just know this: some strange walrus will probably walk up to you, trying to cheer you up and make it even worse.
Penguin Problems by Jory John and Lane Smith is the best picture book of the year and one of the best in recent memory. Great to read to your children. Great to read by yourself. Just awesome.
Penguin Problems by Jory John and Lane Smith is the best picture book of the year and one of the best in recent memory. Great to read to your children. Great to read by yourself. Just awesome.
February 15, 2016
What a team. Jory John and Lane Smith. Penguin is complaining about everything. The ocean smells to salty, everyone looks like him, he doesn't like to be hunted, he looks silly when he waddles. All true, but....walrus hears him complaining and tells Penguin to appreciate the things around him. When Penguin finally considers the advice he realizes the walrus is right. This is the only life he has. He better make the best of it.
June 27, 2016
It was cute. I enjoyed it. I know the whole point was tongue-in-cheek about a penguin complaining about its problems, but it was almost a bit too much at times. The walrus was one of my favorite parts of it. 4.5 stars, rounded down to 4, because I'm not sure a child who complains a lot would get the message of the book. It's probably better for adults who need an attitude adjustment actually! Still, good, quick, cute read.
February 7, 2017
Love, love, love this book! Such a great picture book for kids with a great story. Be sure to read the front flap and look at all of the illustrations. This is officially my new favorite gift book for young kids. I purchased at Target and there is an exclusive poster inside.
November 29, 2016
The penguin is all of us.
March 24, 2020
Anything with penguins is great in my book.
January 10, 2023
زیبا بود 🥲
November 10, 2019
Having warned the reader on the front dust-jacket flap that they don't want to read this book - after all, who cares about penguin problems? - our gloomy narrator proceeds to complain about everything around him, from the cold to his fellow penguins. His tale of woe proceeds until he encounters a walrus who gives him a bracing lecture, in the form of a letter, about the beauty of his surroundings and the blessings in his life. The penguin takes this to heart... after a fashion.
An entertaining book, one which addresses an all-too-common failing - the propensity to see only the negative things around us, and to ignore the positive aspects of our situation - in a realistic and humorous way, Penguin Problems features a hero with whom many readers will be able to identify. I had to chuckle when the penguin recognizes the validity of the walrus's advice, but still manages to find a way to complain - I've certainly been there myself! Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories addressing the idea of positive vs. negative outlook, the issue of complaining and whining, as well as to those who enjoy tales featuring penguins.
An entertaining book, one which addresses an all-too-common failing - the propensity to see only the negative things around us, and to ignore the positive aspects of our situation - in a realistic and humorous way, Penguin Problems features a hero with whom many readers will be able to identify. I had to chuckle when the penguin recognizes the validity of the walrus's advice, but still manages to find a way to complain - I've certainly been there myself! Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories addressing the idea of positive vs. negative outlook, the issue of complaining and whining, as well as to those who enjoy tales featuring penguins.
July 13, 2017
This was a new book discovered on our recent night with our good friends with young kids (Thanks Alexi!), and this is an incredibly cute story. I'm not familiar with the author, but Lindsay recognized the illustrator immediately and we love his work (True Story of the 3 Little Pigs). Book is centered around the title - a poor young penguin has it so bad - many problems being a penguin! He complains and worries about everything facing him in his day. He eventually has a quick conversation with a wise walrus, and he advises him to find some appreciation in the beauty all around him. I feel most kids will relate to the message in this one. We all feel our own problems are the worst - especially when you're a young kid! Others are facing such problems, however, and it's important to also realize the good things you have all around you.
This is a keeper!
This is a keeper!
February 26, 2017
Penguin Problems is a children's book that is really not a children's book. It is truly funny and very deep without losing the fun one iota. The moral lesson presented will hit both adults and children, although the adults will laugh even more. Once again, Lane Smith does amazing art work that is both engaging and muted so it does not overwhelm the story. Fun for all.
October 30, 2016
My students will love this book! Since when is the title of the book on the BACK? The blurb on the dust jacket introduces the main character perfectly. And of course, there is the walrus's eloquent speech/sermon/lecture. And an additional ending after the apparent ending. Very fun. A gift for all the glass-half-fullers in your life.
January 31, 2019
It's okay, but the flow of the story is completely tossed out window when the walrus shows up and spews a full page of lines. This doesnt feel like a book that would be well suited to a wide range of kids, despite its rather run of the mill story.
The artwork is really adorable though.
The artwork is really adorable though.
December 2, 2016
Howlingly funny, the humor possibly lost on small children, I think this is my top picture book of the year!
June 26, 2018
This book fits my cynicism well. Sometimes I feel just like this penguin.
September 25, 2018
This is amazing! It's so funny and cute and if you're looking for a new board book I highly recommend.
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