Ethel the Penguin

By Author / Illustrator

Ursula Dubosarsky, Christopher Nielsen

Genre

Funny Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

A&U Children

ISBN

9781761180880

Format

Hardback

Published

01-10-2024

Synopsis

Ethel the Penguin's in my class
But she doesn't sit next to me
Miss Ink likes Ethel to sit by herself
She can be a bit lawless you see

Everyone needs a best friend like Ethel. She's not afraid of teachers. She's not afraid of heights. In fact, she's totally WILD! An exuberant story about the vicarious joy of an unruly friend.

Reviews

Jacqueline

Ethel is a totally wild friend. She is also a penguin, and some might say she is a very naughty one at that. One day Ethel runs away to ride on the Ferris wheel and trouble ensues as her parents chase after her. Told in all in rhyme, this story follows the anarchic anti-hero as Ethel is chased to the Ferris wheel.

I have to confess I'm not a fan of rhyming text (unless it is very witty), but small children love it. Ethel is particularly naughty and not redeemed by the end of the story, which is a pleasant change! The illustrations by Christopher Nielsen are bold and eye-catching and Ethel is just as cute as a penguin should be. This juxtaposition with her behaviour is particularly noticeable and reminiscent of the cute children who seem to get away with anything!

Children will like the mischief in Ethel the Penguin and will enjoy feeling virtuous as Ethel misbehaves.

Picture book / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris, teacher