An Old Man and His Penguin: How Dindim Made João Pereira de Souza an Honorary Penguin

by Alayne Kay Christian, Milanka Reardon (Illustrator)

Overview

"A moving, affectionate, and joyful tale, all the more so for being true." - Kirkus Reviews

"An Old Man and His Penguin holds a number of important messages about human/animal relationships, love, oil slicks and their impact on sea life, and loneliness. . . . its underlying focus on letting go and reaping rewards from non-possessiveness offers an outstanding lesson about love for the very young." -- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Off the coast of Brazil, João rescues a lifeless, oil-covered penguin (Dindim) and nurses him back to health. Dindim adopts João as an honorary penguin, and the steadfast friends do everything together. They swim together, fish together, and stroll the beach together. But there are real penguins somewhere across the sea. So one day, Dindim leaves João. The villagers tell João the penguin will never come back. João cannot say if he will or will not. Are the villagers right? Will Dindim ever patter into his old friend's loving arms again?

"Adults looking for an inviting animal story with an important message will welcome this appealingly different seaside tale." -- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

"The underlying lesson about compassion and good stewardship is subtle but effective; an author's note explains the real-life circumstances. Reardon, who also illustrated the penguin-themed Noodles' & Albie's Birthday Surprise (2016), deftly captures the story's charm and expressiveness. ." - Kirkus Reviews

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781732893566
Publisher:	Blue Whale Press
Publication date:	08/01/2020
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 10.75(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Alayne Kay Christian is the content and developmental editor for Blue Whale Press and an award-winning children's book author. She is the creator and instructor of a picture book writing course, Art of Arc. She is a professional picture book and chapter book critique writer and a critique ninja for Julie Hedlund's 12 x 12 picture book forum. Alayne is a graduate of the Institute for Children's Literature and she has spent the last ten years studying under some of the top names in children's literature.

Milanka Reardon learned to illustrate at a very young age. When she emigrated to the U.S. from the former Republic of Yugoslavia at the age of six, no one in her school spoke her language, so her teachers sketched images of the English words for her. But instead of copying the words, Milanka took it upon herself to improve their work and draw more interesting pictures. Later, Milanka went on to earn a children's book illustration certificate from the Rhode Island School of Design and was awarded the 2016 R. Michelson Galleries Emerging Artist Award. She is the central New England illustrator coordinator for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). You can read more about Milanka and see some of her artwork by going to MilankaReardon.com.

Editorial Reviews

2020-05-08
A rescued penguin returns every year to see the man who saved him in this picture book.

João Pereira de Souza, an elderly Brazilian, discovers a dying penguin covered with oil on the beach. Over many days, he tenderly brings the bird—whom he names Dindim—back to health, hand-feeding him with sardines and cleaning him. They become companions: “He loved Dindim like a son. Dindim loved João as if he were another penguin.” João is understanding, though lonely, when Dindim swims away after nine months, and then surprised and delighted when the penguin eventually returns. The bird keeps coming back annually for monthslong visits. Based on a true story, the tale is beautifully told with poetic compression and well-chosen details. Christian, whose previous children’s book was Sienna, the Cowgirl Fairy (2017), brings out the sweet friendship and the penguin’s playful personality: “HONK, HONK! Dindim wagged his tail and waddled in circles.” The underlying lesson about compassion and good stewardship is subtle but effective; an author’s note explains the real-life circumstances. Reardon, who also illustrated the penguin-themed Noodles’ & Albie’s Birthday Surprise (2016), deftly captures the story’s charm and expressiveness.

A moving, affectionate, and joyful tale, all the more so for being true.

Kirkus Reviews