a penguin named patience :: review

I’m pretty sure I have mentioned before that my family and I just love the books that Sleeping Bear Press produces for children, but let me say it again. We love Sleeping Bear Press books! Entertaining, educational, varied subjects, high quality, I could go on and on… Anyway, a few weeks back we received another great book from them and I’m excited to share it with you today.

Neither of my girls were even born when Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans in August 2005 and while I know they aren’t ready to learn about the full devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina they were perfectly aged to learn about A Penguin Named Patience : A Hurricane Katrina Rescue Story.

Written by Suzanne Lewis and beautifully illustrated by Lisa Anchin, A Penguin Named Patience : A Hurricane Katrina Rescue Story is based on the true story of a penguin named Patience as well as 18 other African Penguins from the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Focusing on the plight of these creatures post Hurricane Katrina, we learn the amazing story of how Patience and her fellow African Penguins survived a loss of electricity as well as high temperatures while many of the fellow animals in the Aquarium did not survive.

Both my girls were fascinated by this story and sat attentively the entire time I read through the book. When my 5-year-old lost interest after the actual story ended my 7-year-old stuck around and continued to listen as I read through the Author’s Notes. She truly enjoyed learning more details about how Patience and her fellow penguins were temporarily housed by the Monterey Aquarium in California.

For ages 6-10 this 24 page book is a great read for kids who love animals as well as children who are ready to begin learning about the many varied ways that Hurricane Katrina effected New Orleans and her residents (both human and animal).