Children’s Books about Penguins (Unit Study)

With a chill in the air, we’re beginning to think about winter animals again. And you can bet your bottom dollar that penguins is at the top of our list! So why not indulge in some winter-themed reading and enjoy these childrens books about penguins.

When my boys were little, their preschool had the rooms named after animals. And of course, there was a Penguin Room! You can only imagine how often we ended up reading about penguins that year. 🙂

I’ve also partnered up with some fellow bloggers to offer some terrific penguins study unit resources you can use in the classroom, your homeschool or just enjoy with your child. You can find these childrens books about penguins at your local library or purchase through the affiliate links provided for your convenience.

Childrens Books about Penguins

Penguin Problems: Have you ever considered running away to Antarctica? Of course you have! Because it’s a land free of worries and responsibilities! All of your problems will surely be blown away by the icy winds of that lawless paradise! . . . Won’t they? Think again, my friend. This penguin has come to tell you that his life down there is no more a picnic than yours is here. For starters, it is FREEZING. Also, penguins have a ton of natural predators. Plus, can you imagine trying to find your mom in a big ol’ crowd of identical penguins? No, thank you. Yes, it seems there is no escaping the drudgery of your daily grind, whatever it might be. Or perhaps we’ve just learned that grumps are everywhere. . . .

National Geographic Readers: Penguins!: They waddled into stardom in National Geographic’s March of the Penguins film. These guys are now nature’s ROCK STARS! If you’re age 5, you’re probably as tall as an Emperor. But why do they throw up so much? March this way, and find out all!

Penguin: Ben rips open his present and finds a penguin inside. “Hello, Penguin!” he says. “What shall we play?” But Penguin says nothing. Even when Ben tickles its belly, does a dizzy dance, and sticks out his tongue, Penguin makes no response. What will it take for Penguin to say something — or for Ben to understand what Penguin has to say? Spare illustrations bring whimsy to this offbeat tale, in which a little boy gets his heart’s desire.

How Do Penguins Play? This playful rhyming Little Golden Book asks, “How do penguins play?” Children will delight in watching bear cubs, seals,  penguins, monkeys, and other animal friends frolicking joyfully with each other. Adorable pastel illustrations show these animals playing king-of-the-hill, keep away, and other fun and familiar games.

Penguin on Vacation: Penguin is tired of the snow and cold, so he decides to visit the beach! But when his favorite activities like skiing and skating don’t work so well on sand, can a new friend help Penguin learn how to have fun in the sun? Seasoned illustrator Salina Yoon’s charming text and bright, energetic illustrations ensure that readers will be clamoring for more Penguin stories – wherever they make their home!

Busy Penguins (A Busy Book): These busy penguins are dashing, splashing, jumping, bumping, and going about their busy penguin lives. Young children will love to imitate the many actions the penguins are doing, while the vivid, full-color photographs will keep them engaged time after time. Join in the fun!

Tacky the Penguin: Tacky’s perfect friends find him annoying until his odd behavior saves the day.

Childrens Book: Amazing Facts & Pictures about Penguins: This Book will help you learn about the basic facts and truths about Penguins. Know what they are like, what they eat, and how their way of life is.

If You Were a Penguin: “If you were a penguin… You could swim really fast and toboggan on ice. Sing a happy duet, once or twice. You could live on land but dive under the sea. There’s a lot penguins can do, just like you and me!” Wendell and Florence Minor create a charming tribute to all the playful fun and activity that comes with being a penguin—which young readers can delight in too!

The Emperor’s Egg: Read and Wonder: Can you imagine spending the winter outdoors in Antarctica without anything to eat? That’s just what the male Emperor penguin does. While his mate is off swimming and catching loads of fish, he stands around in the freezing cold with an egg on his feet for two whole months, keeping it warm and waiting for it to hatch. Welcome to the story of the world’s most devoted dad!

Pierre the Penguin: A True Story: When Pierre, an African penguin living at the California Academy of Sciences, begins to lose his feathers, the zoo staff is at a loss as to what to do. The lack of feathers causes Pierre to lose warmth, making him afraid to swim in the zoo pool. And the other penguins start to shy away, giving Pierre the “cold” shoulder. Unfortunately, heaters and medications fail to correct the situation. But one rainy day, inspiration strikes a biologist named Pam. While walking her dog in the rain, Pam notes that her pet wears a raincoat. Could a “raincoat,” or wet suit, help Pierre? A tiny neoprene wet suit is designed especially for Pierre. But will it work?

Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere!: A parade of irresistible penguinsfrom climates warm and coldswim, slide, and waddle across the pages of Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere! The enticing combination of bright, playful collage artwork and simple, rhyming text, plus illustrations of all 17 penguin species make this an ideal choice for the youngest readers.

365 Penguins: A family find a penguin mysteriously delivered to their door every day of the year. At first they’re cute, but with every passing day the penguins pile up, along with the family’s problems. Who on earth is sending these kwaking critters?

Like these childrens books about penguins? Find even more engaging book lists for kids with more than 100 book-themed reading lists!

Penguin Study Unit

In addition to recommending childrens books about penguins, I’ve teamed up with some fellow bloggers to offer you homeschool and classroom resources to teach kids about penguins! These unit study resources may contain affiliate links.

• Penguin Pencil Challenges
• Penguin Winter Activities Bundle
• Easy Penguin Craft for Kids from Playdough and Popsicles
• Penguin Craft for Kids from Look! We’re Learning!
• App about Penguin Lifecycle from iGameMom
• Penguin High Frequency Words from Adventures of Adam
• Do you want to make a Penguin? from Mrs. Karle’s Sight and Sound Reading
• Penguin Activities: Penguin Dress Up from Schooling a Monkey
• Penguin Videos from Tales of Education at Home
• Slippery Penguin Ice Experiment from CraftCreateCalm
• Penguin Books for Kids & Activities {Printable Notebooking Pages} from The Natural Homeschool

For further penguin study unit resources and ideas, consider the following: