Title: Wally The Warm-Weather Penguin

Author: Stephanie M. Ward

Illustrator: Vanessa Landin

Publisher/Year: Forwards Press/2014

Summary: Travel to the Galapagos Islands with Wally the Warm-Weather Penguin in this delightful rhyming picture book with vivid illustrations and experience the wonders of this very special place.

The weather is finally beginning to warm up here in New York, and it’s a good thing too because I was just about to pack my bags and join Wally the Emperor Penguin on the warm, tropical shores of the Galapagos Islands. Wally, who comes from the anything-but-balmy beaches of Antarctica, had the right idea. He was tired of wearing his boots, hat, and scarf (I can relate!) while playing outside, so he set sail for the Galapagos Islands. 

What he discovered when he got there was a whole new world, completely different from where he came from, with strange new creatures, and most importantly–it was warm! I think Wally will be staying for a while. Can you blame him?

Children will enjoy the clever rhyme and bright illustrations of Wally The Warm-Weather Penguin, and will most likely ask to read it again and again. Parents will appreciate the Fascinating Facts section in the back that gives more information about all of the animals mentioned in the story, including, Emperor Penguins, Blue-Footed Boobies, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Giant Tortoises, and Marine Iguanas. Overall, it’s a fun book!

Favorite line from Wally The Warm-Weather Penguin: He threw off his scarf, his boots, and his hat, and jumped straight in the ocean with a SPLISH, SPLASH, SPLAT!