katewrites's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
cahamsher's review against another edition
5.0
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grades: K-3
Such a great story of perseverance and learning from your mistakes. Gilbert is a lovable character and I found myself cheering for him throughout the book. I also could spend a long time looking at the beautiful watercolor illustrations. This book inspires creativity and perseverance towards your goals.
Grades: K-3
Such a great story of perseverance and learning from your mistakes. Gilbert is a lovable character and I found myself cheering for him throughout the book. I also could spend a long time looking at the beautiful watercolor illustrations. This book inspires creativity and perseverance towards your goals.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
4.0
This book has gorgeous illustrations, and the story conveys the inspiring message that if you keep an open mind, you can fulfill your dreams even within the constraints that nature has placed on you.
Update: I remembered liking this book and read it for my animal-themed storytime last week. The kids had already been quiet and attentive through a much longer book, so they were pretty squirmy and noisy for this one, but the people who paid attention seemed to enjoy it.
Update: I remembered liking this book and read it for my animal-themed storytime last week. The kids had already been quiet and attentive through a much longer book, so they were pretty squirmy and noisy for this one, but the people who paid attention seemed to enjoy it.
scostner's review against another edition
3.0
Gilbert the penguin longs to fly even though his family tells him to give it up. He observes other birds and imitates them, but it never works. When he jumps from a high perch (hoping it will help him soar), he tumbles down and falls into the ocean instead. To his surprise, he learns that swimming along underwater is very like flying and the sea overhead is like a second sky.
The illustrations show wintry white skies and dreamy blue ocean depths. The scenes of Gilbert diving among the "swaying gardens and mighty mountaintops" trace his path with a white wake and streams of bubbles. The images of Gilbert face-planting and sprawling on the ice after trying to fly are especially comical.
A story perfect for encouraging little ones to hang onto their dreams and find ways to achieve them.
The illustrations show wintry white skies and dreamy blue ocean depths. The scenes of Gilbert diving among the "swaying gardens and mighty mountaintops" trace his path with a white wake and streams of bubbles. The images of Gilbert face-planting and sprawling on the ice after trying to fly are especially comical.
A story perfect for encouraging little ones to hang onto their dreams and find ways to achieve them.
seuknitcat's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
tashrow's review
4.0
A little penguin wants to learn to fly, but he is more fuzz than feathers and doesn’t have very long wings. So when he tries to flap and fly, he ends up falling onto his bottom. His parents try to explain that he is a penguin and not a goose, but Gilbert won’t give up. He wants to reach the stars and fly above mountains. When Gilbert’s feathers come in, he tries some more to fly, but still can’t leave the ground. Inspired by an albatross flying above him, he heads to a cliff and jumps off. Instead of flying though, he tumbles down the side and into the sea. It is there, in the deep water, the Gilbert realizes that penguins can fly too, just in their own way.
Shortlisted for the 2018 Early Childhood Book of the Year by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, this picture book combines incredible illustrations with a strong story of finding your own way to reach your dreams. Gilbert is a hardy and fearless little fellow, determined to fly. The moment when he is at the top of the cliff is a huge turning point in his story and readers will be holding their breath to see what happens. The result is exceptionally satisfying.
Bentley’s illustrations are lovely. They capture the vistas of the frozen landscape, have the solid black figures of the other penguins. Yet they also soften around Gilbert and his fuzz, showing a rotund little penguin with big dreams. That softness plays nicely against the ice and snow. When Gilbert enters the water and the pages fill with blues and greens, the colors seem even more intense and vivid.
A little penguin with big dreams whose story is worth reading. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Shortlisted for the 2018 Early Childhood Book of the Year by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, this picture book combines incredible illustrations with a strong story of finding your own way to reach your dreams. Gilbert is a hardy and fearless little fellow, determined to fly. The moment when he is at the top of the cliff is a huge turning point in his story and readers will be holding their breath to see what happens. The result is exceptionally satisfying.
Bentley’s illustrations are lovely. They capture the vistas of the frozen landscape, have the solid black figures of the other penguins. Yet they also soften around Gilbert and his fuzz, showing a rotund little penguin with big dreams. That softness plays nicely against the ice and snow. When Gilbert enters the water and the pages fill with blues and greens, the colors seem even more intense and vivid.
A little penguin with big dreams whose story is worth reading. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
5.0
Gilbert the penguin wants to fly.
In the process of trying, he learns the wonders of doing what penguins do best, swimming.
All of us want to live out our dreams. This is a lovely story of learning how to live out our dreams within the limitations we have for ourselves. It's a story with just the right amount of rhyme and a clever vocabulary with kid-friendly illustrations.
In the process of trying, he learns the wonders of doing what penguins do best, swimming.
All of us want to live out our dreams. This is a lovely story of learning how to live out our dreams within the limitations we have for ourselves. It's a story with just the right amount of rhyme and a clever vocabulary with kid-friendly illustrations.
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