Waddle! Waddle!

PreS-Gr 2—Exaggerated cartoon designs, contrasting colors, and broad humor form the core of this story about a penguin searching for his friend. Every red hat warrants an investigation and the question "Do you dance?" With each no, the penguin sets off again, reciting his trademark line, "Waddle. Waddle. Belly Slide!" When he approaches a third hat, he finds it perched on the head of a large, hungry seal, but thanks to some intervention from his talented new friends, he escapes and even locates his buddy. Upon this reunion, his clumsy walk becomes a hopping dance, breaking the repetition with his final exclamation, "Dance! Dance! Belly Slide!" Part of this book's appeal is that this funny little creature is not the brightest penguin around. He actually believes his own reflection is another penguin, and even though he was searching for a nonexistent friend, he makes some real ones in the process.