EINSTEIN THE PENGUIN

When the Stewart family of London visits the zoo one December afternoon, Mrs. Stewart extends a tongue-in-cheek invitation to a little penguin to “come and stay with us whenever you like.” Just before supper, Einstein arrives at their house, ringing the doorbell and carrying a small blue rucksack labeled with his name and containing a small supply of fish. Einstein shows the Stewarts Polaroid photos that provide clues to his previous home (Sydney, Australia) and his travels around London. The children and their parents are kind to this unexpected visitor. Nine-year-old Imogen is a reader of detective stories. Six-year-old Arthur is having a hard time making friends at school. After figuring out why Einstein came to London, the two set out with Arthur’s new classmate, Theo, to help him achieve his mission—and they succeed, mostly through observation and smart deduction. Charmingly small, Einstein can fit on a lap or in a handbag, and he even travels to school hidden in Arthur’s backpack. Except for his ability to write, Einstein remains true to his penguin nature. Rangeley’s wry, confiding tone and third-person narration are gently funny, offering a sense both of happy family life and safe adventure. Tazzyman’s loose-lined, goggle-eyed cartoon drawings emphasize the humor. Most characters appear white; Theo has black hair and brown skin.

Mar 4, 2025 - 07:22

When the Stewart family of London visits the zoo one December afternoon, Mrs. Stewart extends a tongue-in-cheek invitation to a little penguin to “come and stay with us whenever you like.” Just before supper, Einstein arrives at their house, ringing the doorbell and carrying a small blue rucksack labeled with his name and containing a small supply of fish. Einstein shows the Stewarts Polaroid photos that provide clues to his previous home (Sydney, Australia) and his travels around London. The children and their parents are kind to this unexpected visitor. Nine-year-old Imogen is a reader of detective stories. Six-year-old Arthur is having a hard time making friends at school. After figuring out why Einstein came to London, the two set out with Arthur’s new classmate, Theo, to help him achieve his mission—and they succeed, mostly through observation and smart deduction. Charmingly small, Einstein can fit on a lap or in a handbag, and he even travels to school hidden in Arthur’s backpack. Except for his ability to write, Einstein remains true to his penguin nature. Rangeley’s wry, confiding tone and third-person narration are gently funny, offering a sense both of happy family life and safe adventure. Tazzyman’s loose-lined, goggle-eyed cartoon drawings emphasize the humor. Most characters appear white; Theo has black hair and brown skin.