Little Penguins

PreS—The first snowfall of the season is greeted with excitement by five playful penguins. After rooting through the clothes cupboard for coordinating ensembles ("Socks? One for each foot! What about boots? Red ones"), the siblings head outside. The spare, minimal text asks, "So, how's the snow?" As one penguin sinks down to his tummy, the succinct answer is "Very deep." After frolicking for awhile, they shiver: "Brrr. Let's go home." Outerwear is doffed, jammies are donned, and following a snack of warm cookies and "sippies," Mama tucks the quintet into bed. Cut-paper snowflakes float down in Robinson's fetching acrylic and collage illustrations. The charming penguins have teeny triangular feet, big round noggins, and rectangular bodies. Personalities shine through with the quizzical tilt of a head or an impetuous nosedive into a snowbank. Individuality is also expressed by each bird's penchant for apparel color. Whimsical details like fish-patterned curtains, a fish weather vane, and a mailbox at the tip of the iceberg add to the clever fun.