Tacky and the Emperor

by Helen Lester, Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Overview

It’s common knowledge that Tacky was never the best-dressed penguin, but when he and his friends prepare for the arrival of the emperor, Tacky gets carried away and ends up in more than just elegant attire! Tacky brings his own unique brand of humor and entertainment to the emperor’s visit. Here is another wacky addition to Tacky’s myriad adventures in which friendship, kindness, and laughter always win out! Tacky fans will be carried to new heights of hilarity by this Tacky tale.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780618260096
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/30/2002
Series:	Tacky the Penguin
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	209,319
Product dimensions:	8.31(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.12(d)
Lexile:	AD700L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Helen Lester has written many hilarious and popular picture books, including the Tacky the Penguin series and Hooway for Wodney Wat. She lives in New York. www.helenlester.com

Lynn Munsinger has illustrated more than ninety books for children, many written by her frequent collaborator, Helen Lester. She lives in Vermont.

Editorial Reviews

"Tacky, the delightful penguin who marches to a different drummer is back in another funny an charming tale. . . . Children will think this book is a riot and won’t even realize that a message is being delivered — a charming one about the joys of non-conformtiy." —Kirkus Reviews Kirkus Reviews

"Lester and Munsinger have again succeeded in creating a delightful Antarctic-of-the-imagination." —Booklist Booklist, ALA

"As always, Munsinger’s ink and watercolor renditions of the birds exude personality, while Lester’s story packs the double whammy of high entertainment value with an easily digestible lesson." —Horn Book (Nov/Dec 2000) Horn Book —

From the Publisher

"That prince among penguins returns," noted PW. "Here Tacky gets the royal treatment after he innocently tries on the emperor penguin's clothes and the emperor penguin gets a welcome break from pomp and ceremony." Ages 4-8. (Aug)

Publishers Weekly

Tacky, the delightful penguin who marches (or is it waddles?) to a different drummer is back in another funny and charming tale-this time involving a royal visit from the emperor. When Tacky and his five iceberg-mates learn that the emperor is coming to visit, they enter into frenzied preparations. A feast of fish-flavored food is prepared, entertainment is rehearsed, and Tacky is put in charge of the balloons. But when he blows up a really big balloon, he takes an unplanned ride and ends up on a neighboring iceberg, which, unbeknownst to Tacky, is the emperor's home. Seeing a set of very fancy clothes lying unattended and unclaimed on the ice, he puts them on and waddles back to his own iceberg. To his amazement, his five friends make a huge fuss over him, plying him with food and making sure he's amused and happy. Although Tacky doesn't realize it, his friends have mistaken him for the emperor. When the real emperor arrives, the five others are mortified that there is nothing left with which to impress him, and are exasperated with Tacky. The emperor, who turns out to be sick to death of the stuffy and formal visits most of his subjects make him sit through, has a great time with Tacky and his improvisations. Instead of the fish-flavored food that the emperor is usually offered, they have snowball cones; instead of a boring dance recital, Tacky sings his favorite silly song; and they all (even his royal highness) tell penguin jokes. The watercolor illustrations are adorable and full of humor-note especially the fish-flavored ice cream, the emperor's twinkle-toed shoes, and the double-page spread on which the penguins learn about the mistake that's been made. Children will thinkthisbook is a riot and won't even realize that a message is being delivered-a charming one about the joys of non-conformity. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews