School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2 Tacky the Penguin is a total nonconformist who lives with a group of formal, proper penguins. But it is Tacky who foils the plans of three critters with ``get-rich-quick plans'' that threaten the penguins' existence. With his un-penguin-like antics, Tacky puzzles the hunters to such an extent that they're firmly convinced they cannot be in the ``land of the pretty penguins.'' This is a rollicking tale that clearly shows that there are ad vantages to being an individual. Mun singer cheerfully captures the mood of the tale with her whimsical, full-color illustrations that are particularly strong in depicting the hunters' deter mined, then befuddled, expressions and Tacky's madcap antics. This is sure to elicit lots of chuckles from young readers. Bonnie Wheatley, Emma Conn Elementary School, Ra leigh, N.C. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
This book is must reading for any kidor grown-upwho refuses to follow the pack. Tacky wears a rumpled Hawaiian shirt, frequently stumbles, performs splashy cannonballs and sings songs like, ``How Many Toes Does a Fish Have?'' He lives at the North Pole with his companions Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly and Perfect, who clad themselves in decorous bow-ties, walk neatly in a row, perform elegant dives and sing lovely songs like, ``Sunrise on the Iceberg.'' But even without the fancy trappings, Tacky comes into his own when he outsmarts a gang of penguin rustlers. This is off-beat fun that is a natural follow-up to Lester and Munsinger's other dandy offerings, including A Porcupine Named Fluffy and The Wizard, the Fairy, and the Magic Chicken. Ages 4-8. (April) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
Ages 4-8. In his chilly black-tie environment, Tacky Penguin, dressed in a garish Hawaiian shirt and purple-checked bow tie, is odd bird out. His companions march perfectly, but Tacky falls splat, and he follows their graceful dives with thudding cannonballs. One day, when two growly voiced wolves come chanting, ``we're gonna catch some pretty penguins,'' Tacky's friends run away in fright. It is Tacky who blares, ``What's happening?'' rattling the interlopers with his uncouth behavior and horrible singing, causing the hunters to flee across the ice. Munsinger's intruders, properly menacing, and the penguins, properly prim, are shown against cool-blue-and-aqua-tinged snowy backgrounds. Droll facial expressions, which still retain their animal quality, add more humor to a perceptive text about being different. PW. Penguins-Fiction / Behavior-Fiction / Individuality-Fiction [OCLC] 87-30684
