The Rainbow Fish series by Marcus Pfister was a favourite of my kids and I have read them several time to my grandkids. I was excited to see that he had written a new book and this one was about penguins! I haven't read this to my grandkids yet, but when it is published later this month, I will be purchasing a copy for their library. With his wonderful illustrations, Marcus Pfister uses penguins to demonstrate acceptance of all. There are comedian penguins, sporty penguins, shy penguins, lgbtq penguins, displaced penguins from a different area and species and more. All these penguins are welcome and make up this penguin family and community. They are all important and although sometimes there might be a squabble, like with any group, they get along. This is a wonderful book that should be in all family, school and public libraries. It is never to early to demonstrate acceptance of all.

Perfect classroom or library read aloud. We're all different and that is the best thing. The penguins are adorable and all the kids loved them!

Thank you to the author, NorthSouth Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

By the author/illustrator of the iconic "Rainbow Fish" book, this is a good effort at encouraging children to see diversity as positive - but it felt a bit text-heavy and almost more geared toward adults, and the narrative flow was a bit lacking. Yes, the overall message of each penguin being different and being kind to one another is so important - I'm just not sure whether that came through as well as it could have here.

I have loved Marcus Pfister since I first found "Rainbow Fish" [even after multiple readings daily with the littles I was taking care of] and when I saw that he had a new book out, I knew I had to read it and was so excited when I got the ARC for it.

What a delightful book. Absolutely delightful. Much like his previous books, this book about Penguins is all about acceptance, how we are the same and yet different at the same time, how our differences should unite us [and enhance our own empathy and acceptance of others who are different than we are], and ultimately how we are to be kind to everyone A L W A Y S.

These are the most adorable illustrations [who doesn't love penguins] and draws you into the story immediately. Littles and adults alike will love this book from page 1 and I can see this becoming a new "classic" in the children's books genre.

Very. Well. Done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Marcus Pfister, David Henry Wilson - Translator, and NorthSouth Books, INC for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had high hopes for this book as I love penguins and representation, but I'm not sure who the intended audience is as it is very text heavy. I feel like the author could have gotten the point across in fewer words. Plus, it doesn't tell a story so much as just introduce each new penguin and what makes them unique from the rest - I wish it had an actual story that happened to reveal their traits. I found it an odd concept for the narrator penguin to be introducing his friends in such a way, since that's not naturally how I introduce loved ones. It does, however, cover a lot: autism, sensory issues, sexuality, extrovert vs. introvert, depression, disabilities, etc. and the point being made is that they all get along <3

This picture book is adorable and inclusive, a great little introduction to the penguin colony of very different characters, so like many families.

A Penguin Like Me is a fantastic children's picture book about inclusion. The artwork is sure to capture a child's attention and the story is beautiful.

While all the penguins in a colony may look the same, they're all unique - just like people! It's a wonderful way to not only help children accept the differences of others, but to become proud of their own unique identity.

My favorite part was, "While the other girl penguins have crushes on boy penguins, Lena is head over heels in love with Ida. She loves being in love and having butterflies in her tummy." It's such a simple way to explain LGBT+ relationships, with a sweet description of love.

I absolutely loved this book and will purchase a copy for my collection.

I really enjoyed A Penguin Like Me by Marcus Pfister. I found the illustrations to be simple and engaging for an elementary age. I found the storyline to also hit the major points, but in simpler context for what the overall topic and goal was. It does show kids how everyone is different, but also can be relatable for adult audiences, especially those of us that grew up with Rainbow Fish.

I'm a fan of Marcus Pfister's Rainbow Fish books so I was really excited to read his newest. I'm sad to say the only positive comment I can make was I enjoyed the beautiful artwork I've come to expect from Pfister. The text was not child focused it was adult focused. The author's points could've been made with a lot fewer and simpler words. Even when you are sharing an important opinion in a picture book you are still obligated to make it engaging and entertaining to hold the attention of your target audience.

This was a great elementary level book for children that shows even though everyone is different we are all still accepted. No matter a person or things shape, size and or color we are still extremely similar!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

It is a very adorable book to teach kids about how unique each human or penguin is. It is a very fun way to explain tolerance and community.

Adorable picture book from Marcus Pfister, author of the beloved book The Rainbow Fish. A Penguin Like Me is a great story to use as a springboard for a discussion around accepting that everyone is unique and different and wonderful in their own way. Lovely story for a classroom read-a-loud and terrific for parents/caregivers to read to young kids. Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the Advance Review Copy.
#NetGalley #APenguinLikeMe

What a beautiful child's book. He talks about the penguins everybody seems To be the same but they're not. In this book he explains each penguin has a characteristic who makes them very unique. They had their strengths in these strengths The team cohesisn't. Together. He embraces everybody's style of thinking. Penguin named LU. C. A. Yes. Joins the group, but it doesn't feel like he belongs. But eventually he comes to realization everybody likes him. Another Penguin shows up with the red beak. He seems nervous too but everybody loves him in the end. I think this book is really good for children. Because you can be yourself and have your strength. But you can fit in society even if you're a little bit different.. The pictures are amazing. I think children couldn't understand this. Because everything can relate to a child's life. Based on what description was in this book. Children can be happy and joyful, knowing they're special. In their own way. This makes them a better person when they meet other people. Because they can understand them as well.

Wow, I could not engage with this book. The illustrations were uninteresting, and the examples of the different penguin "types" were boring. I can't see a child finding this at all intriguing, or helpful, especially one who is indeed awkward and wants extra encouragement to put himself out there.

I love this picture book that uses penguins to show that every penguin is different. But its also showing kids that we are all different and that's okay.

I love a Penguin Like Me, a beautifully illustrated introduction to diversity. We take a trip to the Antarctic where from a distance every penguin in the colony looks the same. But when we get to know each penguin as an individual we discover that every one of them is different, each has their own unique insecurities, strengths and dreams.

Lucas has come from another colony and looks a little different but as he meets the other penguins he realises that all the penguin are different in their own ways. Felix is a good listener although his short wings make his life more challenging and Lena is in love with Ida. Leon is generally bright and breezy despite looking disinterested and Timmy hides a sadness that he doesn’t understand behind clowning around. Together the penguins form a diverse community in which every penguin is accepted for their differences and allowed to be themselves.

We love Marcus Pfister’s stunningly simple illustrations which have beautiful pastel coloured backgrounds. This fabulous picture book can be used to introduce the concept of diversity and stimulate discussions about how our differences can also be our strengths and that whatever our differences are we are all special.

At its heart, this book is a paean to a world of diversity and acceptance. It is told through penguins (though, of course, the message is for people). It is gorgeously and engagingly illustrated.

The book explains that, while all penguins may look the same from a distance, they are actually not all alike. Through the characters, kids will gently see that there are unique penguins who wish they could fly, those with synesthesia, a girl penguin who likes girls and many others. They are able to live in harmony; clearly the author wishes the same for humans.

This book will undoubtedly get some folks thinking that it should be banned. I am not among them. It is in now way aggressive in making its point.

Many thanks to NorthSouth Books and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

The book narrates a person’s search for identity. People may look the same, but they have different feelings and emotions. And we can’t judge people on the basis of how they look. Indeed, the story gives a strong message to all the children about how they should treat others. The graphics are nice, but they could have been much better. Definitely, the book deserves 4 stars.

Oh my gosh! We loved this book! I read it with my 5 year old who was not quite old enough to grasp the different concepts in the book (LGBTQ, special needs, etc) but old enough to enjoy the story none the less, though we did keep getting stuck on how the penguins could be those colors - finally he did understand when I said the penguin sees the world different than other people - kind of like his younger 3 year old brother.

I’d say this book would probably be best suited for a 1st or 2nd grade classroom. A good message of inclusion and celebrating everyone’s differences. Young enough to still enjoy the pictures and the story time but old enough to grasp the concepts that are dropped in the story line!

The message is a 5 star book, and the story was pretty good but overall I feel it could have been a little bit more cohesive. I’m sad that one will probably be banned. I really did love the message. The kids loved it.