What an amazing story. I love a rhyming picture book, as the cadence makes reading it aloud flow so nicely.
However, not all books that rhyme are easy to read. This was wonderful and the story was so compelling. So glad there was information at the back, so that we could learn more. Wonderful story and illustrations!

Such a wonderful book, based on a true story, about a man and the penguin he rescues. The bond they form is a caring one, and it is easy to see that it was built on trust and empathy. This is a great book to teach your little one about caring for wildlife and our planet.
I also appreciated the note in the back that explained how oil spills are harmful to animals, and what to do if you were to ever find a wild animal in distress.
The illustrations were remarkable, and followed the rhyming text with precision so that your youngest readers would still be able to engage with the story.

Read via netgalley.

“Told in rhyming verse, this is the touching true story of an oil-soaked penguin, the man who rescues him and an unlikely friendship.”
This story is just gorgeous. From the rhyming verse to the beautiful illustrations I loved it from start to finish.
I think it is a brilliant book to start a conversation with young children about the environment and what we can do to help it.
It doesn’t over complicate anything. I think the rhyme and the illustrations would be very effective in keeping children engaged with the story in this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Needing a book to entertain a two, three, five and nine year old I was grateful to find this book. Based on a true story of a man who saves an oil-covered penguin and a unique and beautiful friendship is created.

This was such a beautiful story! Although, full disclosure, my favourite animals are penguins so I may be a little biased. I absolutely adored the story, and didn’t learn it was based on a true story until the end, as much as I enjoyed the illustrations! So much talent in a handful of pages! I am also particularly fond of children’s books that rhyme, so this book ticked all the boxes. Not too long, not too short, the perfect length and eye catching colours.

My sincerest thanks to Netgalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for my review.

5/5 stars

Old Man and the Penguin is a short illustrated book about a penguin in trouble who is rescued by Joao and the bond that is then created between those two. I think it is a beautiful story about the friendship between man and animal and how the most unlikely miracles can happen. I was very excited to read that it is based on true events! The story is written in verse and it is very easy for children to understand. I would definitely gift it to my young relatives.

This is a real story and I really liked it . it gives the right message to the world. we have polluted all the natural places from pods to revers to sea and oceans. it's time to wakeup.

Loved this little gem! Sweet story, sweet illustrations. My 7 and 3 year old loved it too. The message was good and I loved the write up at the end telling about it being true story.

Omg I recognize this story, I’ve seen a news clip of this about a man that rescued a penguin and the penguin comes back to visit him. So excited to see it’s turned into a book and of course I read this to my toddlers! The story gave us all the feels, the colors are bright and colorful. My kids were engaged and asked a bunch of questions, so it was a good teaching tool. Thanks to Kids Can Press, Julie Abery, and NetGalley for an ebook ARC. This is my honest review.

This was a touching story about an old man who saves a penguin and establishes a lifelong relationship with the animal. Even though the animal leaves for part of the year, he always comes back. It really hit me in the feels when I found out this was based on a true story.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I really enjoyed this sweet story. I was excited to discover at the end that it is based a true story which my kids will just love knowing! I will definitely be recommending this one!

The Old Man and the Penguin by Julie Abery is a wonderful book for children and adults.

The three things I love the most: the wonderful illustrations. Just gorgeous. Second: the adorable and touching relationship that develops between the man and the saved penguin tugs at my heart! Third: the information at the end that this is based on a true story. What could be better!

Thank you NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

This is the sweetest story ever, and I was very excited to learn that it was a true story. The bond between the Joao and Dimdin is remarkable, and a true testament to love and friendship.

This is one of the sweetest children's books I've ever read. I love the story and it's even better because it actually happened. The illustrations are beautiful and really take the book up a notch. I love the author's notes at the end of the book that include facts about penguins and oil spills like the one that brought the penguin in the story to the man. This book was an absolute delight and I will be purchasing it as soon as it's released!

This is a wonderful book for children and adults alike. It tells the heartwarming tale of an old man who found a penguin barely able to survive after an oil spill. The artwork, and charming rhymes make for a delightful story to enchant the reader.

As an educator of elementary students, I find this story would be perfect for an Earth Day read as a springboard for discussion of pollution and how it can harm the animals of the sea. Would recommend for a classroom library, as well as a home library.

The Old Man and the Penguin is a simple, yet heartfelt story of a friendship between human and animal. I love that this story is told in verse. It makes the story flow so easily and really engages the reader. The illustrations are wonderful and I love the details and bright colors. I enjoyed this story very much and it could be used as part of an environmental lesson or for enjoyment.

Instagram Review-Thank you, Net Galley! THe beautiful true story of a man in Brazil who saves a penguin, helps the penguin return to the wild, and (spoiler) the penguin comes back each year to see his friend?!?! Sign Me. Up.

Goodreads Review-Thank you to Net Galley for a copy of this text. What a beautiful true story. The illustrations are lovely, and the rhymes playfully capture the friendship and love between the man and the penguin. I especially appreciated the text's afterword which included more information about preventing oil from entering our water and the importance of taking care of the planet. Love this book and will add this our permanent library.

This is a heartwarming story about a penguin rescue that blossomed into a lasting inter-species friendship. The rhyming text is easy to follow and the illustrations are simple and compliment the text nicely. The end-note describes the inspiration for the book, which is based on a true story. This would make a pleasant read aloud for an elementary audience. Nicely done.

I'd heard the story of this penguin and man before. The writing and illustrations in this book however, were fantastic. I read this with my third grader and kindergartner at bedtime last night and they loved it. They asked to purchase the book when its released. My kids then changed the topic from the penguin and how he came to be friends with the man, to all about oil spills. Part of todays COVID-19 schooling will include learning about oil spills and what it does to the environment. Great book, will be recommending to fellow educators and parents.

Another heartwarming story from Kids Can Press.
Picture books based on true story that is both educational and heartwarming is always my favourite. That book is exactly that. In the world where animal cruelty is so often found, story like this really make me believe in the humanity again. It really shows that animals really understands kindness and they have feelings too. What a wonderful little book to be shared to all the kids in all over the world :)

I loved this story. Joao, an older Brazilian gentleman, heard the cries of a penguin. Seeing him covered in oil, Joao brought him home to clean, feed, and care for him. Doing so saved the little penguin’s life.

A bond developed between the two of them. After Joao returned the penguin to his natural habitat, the penguin came to visit Joao every year at the same time.

This is exactly the type of story I enjoy reading with children. There are so many good lessons packed into this short story. Animal care, helping helping when you see someone in need, caring for the environment, etc. I always love when a book is based on a true story, that the author includes pertinent information about the people involved.

This is a story not to be missed.

I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.