Penguin's Hidden Talent

by Alex Latimer

Overview

The talent show is coming up and Penguin doesn't have a special talent to share—or does he?

All of Penguin's friends are excited about the upcoming talent show, but Penguin can't seem to figure out what he's good at. He tries juggling appliances with Bear, doing magic tricks with Rabbit, and burping the alphabet with Fox...but Penguin doesn't seem to be good at anything.

Unable to participate in the show, Penguin is left in charge of organizing the event. Without a chance at a trophy, Penguin feels very sad. But when his friends try to throw him a party to cheer him up, things don't go very smoothly. That's when Penguin discovers he might have a special skill, after all!

Author and illustrator Alex Latimer's quirky charm lights up the pages of this entertaining picture book about finding your true talent. Latimer's distinctive illustrations take the story beyond the text, adding humorous touches that will keep readers laughing on every page.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781561456291
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	10/02/2012
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD500L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Alex Latimer lives in South Africa near the border of a national park. So when not writing or drawing, he spends his free time shooing baboons out of his lounge. He has written several picture books for children.

Editorial Reviews

There are plenty of arch asides that parents will enjoy in this droll little book…
—Pamela Paul

The New York Times Book Review

Aesthetically, Latimer’s story recalls Oliver Jeffers’s The Great Paper Caper (2009), which also stars a crew of animals that walk upright on spindly legs in a snowy landscape. But Latimer (The Boy Who Cried Ninja) is more focused on simple whimsy in this encouraging, believe-in-yourself tale. Unable to find a skill worthy of the upcoming talent show, Penguin settles for helping organize it. When Penguin’s friends, eager to cheer him up, throw him a thank-you party, they make a hash of it (“thaks pemgin” reads Albatross’s banner), and Penguin discovers that his boring organizational abilities are, in fact, a talent. Lots of goofy interpolations add sauce to the story line as the contestants juggle blenders and toasters or swallow fish whole. “Is that the King of Norway?” Rabbit asks Bear, as a motivational speaker in a crown launches into an inspirational speech. “Ooh, yes,” says Bear, “I believe it is.” Though the story has a certain predictability, Latimer’s asides are quite funny, and the book is a standout in another category, too: not many picture books champion ordinary administrative skills. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"Offbeat illustrations – stylized pencil drawings, digitized and then finished with color and texture – are delightfully droll. And he tucks many deadpan jokes into the story (the king's pie chart indicates the proportional ingredients of a pie, for instance). Quirky, with a side of self-esteem."—Kirkus Reviews

"Lots of goofy interpolations add sauce to the story line. . . Latimer's asides are quite funny, and the book is a standout in another category, too: not many picture books champion ordinary administrative skills."—Publishers Weekly

"There are plenty of arch asides that parents will enjoy in this droll little book, which shows that it may be the stars who shine, but it's those who provide the behind-the-scenes technical support and organizational know-how who actually put the show together."—The New York Times

"The illustrations are clean and simple, with a cool-toned palette, and lots of humor packed into them. . . This is a fun book to read, but it also carries the message that not everyone has to be good at the same things. Sometimes you really need a penguin to plan the party."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

PreS-Gr 1—Penguin's community is putting on a talent show that will include juggling, fish swallowing, magic, and, perhaps most importantly, burping the alphabet. But Penguin can't do any of these things. And as his friends continue to suggest ideas, it becomes apparent that he doesn't have any of the traditional talents, so he decides to help organize the show instead. It goes very smoothly and boasts such novelties as the King of Norway speaking on self-confidence, a famous band playing, and fireworks. After his friends try their hand at what Penguin has done so easily, they begin to realize his true talent-organizing events-and he is honored for his skills. The illustrations are clean and simple, with a cool-toned palette, and lots of humor packed into them. There is the toaster that Penguin attempts to juggle (but throws into a tree). Or the albatross hovering in midair after the show, with a gleaming medal around its neck. This is a fun book to read, but it also carries the message that not everyone has to be good at the same things. Sometimes you really need a penguin to plan the party.—Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ

School Library Journal

Everybody has some kind of talent. The big talent show is just days away, and the animals are busy practicing. Bear juggles, Rabbit pulls himself out of a hat, and Fox burps like crazy. Penguin, though, just sits at home, thinking. He doesn't know what his talent is, and he doubts that he has one. Instead of performing, he decides to help organize the event, so he can be involved. The show goes off like gangbusters, with the king of Norway delivering an inspiring opening address. Bear takes home the trophy, several medals are awarded, and a great time is had by all. But the talentless Penguin avoids the after-party, trudging home in the snow. His friends worry about him, so they work late into the night to put together an appreciation party. Truth to tell, it's not much of a celebration, with tacky decorations, misspelled signs and bland food. When Rabbit declares that this party would be so much better if Penguin had organized it, Penguin has a revelation...his talent is party planning! Latimer's offbeat illustrations--stylized pencil drawings, digitized and then finished with color and texture--are delightfully droll. And he tucks many deadpan jokes into the story (the king's pie chart indicates the proportional ingredients of a pie, for instance). Quirky, with a side of self-esteem. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews