Well Done, Mommy Penguin

Posted on 02/06/2023

Candlewick Press | 978-1536228656

I’m currently teaching a class on picture books and one of the many things I love are the new books students bring to my attention. I’ve read and enjoyed other Chris Haughton books –  Shhh! We Have a Plan and Oh, No George! – but I hadn’t seen his most recent – WELL DONE, MOMMY PENGUIN until a student included it on her reading list.

The concept of the book is simple: Little Penguin and Daddy Penguin are waiting for Mommy’s return.

Mommy slides down the snowy hill into the water:

“Oh! Where is Mommy going?” says Little Penguin.
I think she’s going to get dinner,” says Daddy Penguin.
“Come, let’s take a look. Maybe we can see her. “

Mommy joins the other penguins trying to catch fish.

swoosh
swish
swoosh

Little Penguin and Daddy see Mommy. She waves from the water!

“Swim, Mommy, swim!”

CLICK TO ENLARGE © words and illustrations by Chris Haughton

As Mommy makes her way back to her family, she needs to be careful of the icy hill. And, there’s another dangerous challenge… a group of large seals are sleeping between the water and home. The tension mounts as readers see Mommy Penguin fall, fall, fall “all the way back into the sea!”

What will she do?

Pitch perfect dialogue reveals a sweet and tender relationship between Little Penguin and his mommy. I loved this book, and admire the way Houghton successfully pares down the text and illustrations to their most essential elements, while also managing to convey the deep bond between a mother and her child.