Percy the penguin has a problem. He runs a post office in the South Pole, but nobody knows it is there. Percy never has any post to deliver. He sets out to change this, and, with determination and tenacity, he proves that any problem can be solved. Soon, he not only has more post than a single penguin can deliver but he also has a community grateful for his services.
This charming wintery tale is wonderful because, unlike many of the wintery picture books that appear around this time of year, it can be read all year around. The themes of determination and problem solving will appeal to schools and parents, and will help readers to stick at things until they have achieved their goal.
Percy is also – I can’t help but say it – charming! The illustration gives him character that shows the delight he takes in trying, and I’m not certain which picture made me ‘ahh’ most: Percy taking joy in painting his new signs, Percy snuggled up in bed after a hard day of work at his plans, Percy almost out of hope, or Percy’s delight when he finally has a bundle of parcels to deliver. The sky and snow illustrations are beautiful too, demonstrating how different colour combinations can create different feelings in a viewer.
This is a joyful book to share – the sentences aren’t too long but they roll along beautifully while the illustrations demand to be poured over and paused over and looked at over again. I can imagine this book being put on repeat in many households and the themes of goal-setting and determination will be useful to educators. A wonderful title to enjoy with Christmas coming around, and then to read again throughout the year.
- Percy The Post-Penguin is available from 2nd November 2023 and is published by UCLan Publishing. (Sent in exchange for review)
