Emperor Penguin: A First Field Guide to the Flightless Bird from Antarctica

PreS-Gr 2–Worried about teaching young children about all the unique places and creatures on Earth? This penguin tale is an excellent introduction to the South Pole and our feathered friends. It’s part of a “Young Zoologist” series, adorable field guides geared to give quick snapshots of the world at large. The books share basics about different creatures, written by actual scientists who have distilled essential information about the animals they love. This one starts with a “fact file,” a simple chart of penguin basics like height, weight, lifespan. It then moves on to a few pages of realistic illustrations paired with more specific animal facts. Those captions are short but informative, perfect for reading aloud. They instruct children without getting too technical. Bite-sized factoids about penguin feathers, feet, and food will stick in a child’s mind long after reading. The illustrations perfectly complement the science. Fields of black penguin feathers hold captivating dimensions, looking like galaxies or warm blankets. The sea life is also adorable—krill has never looked so cute!