OWL & PENGUIN, by Vikram Madan, (Holiday House, Ages 3-8) is a starter graphic novel series employing an innovative story-telling format consisting of expressive visuals in comic book form, with basic easy-to-read narrative text, and characters who converse with emoticons, all of which makes the book appealing and accessible to new/emerging readers, pre-readers and struggling readers, and allows young children to independently develop their reading skills and feel confident about their reading abilities.
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A 2023 THEODOR SEUSS GEISEL HONOR WINNER
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OWL & PENGUIN Book #2 BEST DAY EVER now available.
* A Junior Library Guild GOLD STANDARD Selection "Charming evidence that compromise and inventiveness can produce the best day yet!" - Kirkus Reviews Owl wants to play catch. But Penguin wants to play tennis! Which should they play? Sometimes best friends disagree. Though Owl and Penguin are opposites, they like to solve their conflicts with creative play. From conquering fears to flying a kite, there’s nothing these pals can’t get through together. In five nearly wordless stories, expressive art leads the storytelling, supplemented by simple text captions and emoticon-style images in speech bubbles. This innovative format supports visual literacy and sight word recognition for the earliest independent readers. With warm humor and a joyful palette, it’s perfect for kids to giggle over on their own. |
Both books are available at all bookstores and online retailers, including Bookshop.org / Penguin / Indiebound / Amazon / B&N /
Signed Copies can be ordered from Island Books in Mercer Island WA and Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond WA.
Signed Copies can be ordered from Island Books in Mercer Island WA and Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond WA.
"A wonderful example of how a comics format can work well for even the earliest readers."—The Horn Book
"Filled with undeniable charm [and] gleeful visual humor that will win these lovable pals legions of young fans."—The Toledo Blade
"Filled with undeniable charm [and] gleeful visual humor that will win these lovable pals legions of young fans."—The Toledo Blade
An American Library Association 2023 NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK - awarded to the "best of the best".
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"Reminiscent of the strong bond between Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad, Owl and Penguin’s friendship is deep and delightful, and this easy reader makes the story comprehensible ... in an accessible and entertaining way." - KIRKUS REVIEWS
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"Debuting with an exercise in adorable empathy, Owl and Penguin make a breezy foray into the tradition of supportive picture book friendships...As an opportunity for early readers and caregivers to discuss problem-solving and feelings with copious visual clues, this title is the perfect tool. Cute and cheery, this graphic novel for early readers is a functional, fun read-together." - SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
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Wow! Both OWL & PENGUIN Books #1 and #2 are Junior Library Guild GOLD STANDARD Selections (awarded by JLG only to less than 3% of all books evaluated).
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"...engaging title...instantly lovable...little twists and surprises...comical landings...
IT'S AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHT!" - Mr. Brian's PB Picks
"Easy's hard and these stories are good. Worth some consideration." - Betsy Bird, Famous Librarian & Blogger
"Owl and Penguin are a hoot! Brings the comic format even younger and in a way that reads so clearly.
This book has wings!" - Ben Clanton, New York Times bestselling creator of Narwhal and Jelly.
This book has wings!" - Ben Clanton, New York Times bestselling creator of Narwhal and Jelly.
Owl & Penguin - a graphic novel for pre-readers and emerging readers ages 3-8.
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New: Download the OWL & PENGUIN FONT and have fun making your own Owl & Penguin coloring sheets and comics. Check back soon for detailed instructions on how to install the font and all the ways you can use this font for creating fun activities for kids.
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"[The author] excels with body language and facial expressions.
The reader can tell what the characters feel at all times.
It’s an absolute delight."
- Mr. Brian's Picture Book Picks (Mr. Brian is a former Caldecott Medal judge).
The reader can tell what the characters feel at all times.
It’s an absolute delight."
- Mr. Brian's Picture Book Picks (Mr. Brian is a former Caldecott Medal judge).
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A REVIEW FROM THEFRUMIOUSCONSORTIUM.NET:
"Do y'all have any books that you immediately whip out when you want to soothe your young readers? Maybe your kid is having a bad day and just needs some cheerful illustrations and easy text to take their mind off things. Or maybe you want to sneakily show them how sometimes the best way to fix a problem is to come at it from outside the box. Either way, this is one of my go-to books for reading with my own youngsters when they need a way to turn their own bad days into best days.
Owl and Penguin are two friends who often have a different perspective on life when it comes to abilities and activities. Over the course of these five short chapters, readers get to see how they negotiate wanting to play different games, swimming in the ocean, scary movies, performing music, and flying a kite. While they each have different outlooks on these issues, they genuinely strive to see things from the other's point of view and care about each other's feelings and the outcome. It's a book about the many different ways you can compromise without sacrificing your own individuality.
Which is quite astonishing given how relatively sparse the text is, with easy vocabulary strategically placed amidst the illustrated panels. This is a testament to Vikram Madan's excellent artwork, which is expressive, adorable and gorgeously colored. The colors in Making Music especially are a visual feast, putting the truth to the saying that a picture, at least in the hands of a really good artist, is worth a thousand words. And the pacing is exquisite throughout, building the perfect level of suspense for each short vignette before the resolution of its conflict.
Both of my reluctant readers really enjoyed reading this book with me. I personally appreciated how it gave me the chance to discuss their current woes and to see how we could work them out in productive fashions. Owl And Penguin: Best Day Ever is a perfect starter graphic novel for kids, and just overall a really terrific picture book. Recommended."
"Do y'all have any books that you immediately whip out when you want to soothe your young readers? Maybe your kid is having a bad day and just needs some cheerful illustrations and easy text to take their mind off things. Or maybe you want to sneakily show them how sometimes the best way to fix a problem is to come at it from outside the box. Either way, this is one of my go-to books for reading with my own youngsters when they need a way to turn their own bad days into best days.
Owl and Penguin are two friends who often have a different perspective on life when it comes to abilities and activities. Over the course of these five short chapters, readers get to see how they negotiate wanting to play different games, swimming in the ocean, scary movies, performing music, and flying a kite. While they each have different outlooks on these issues, they genuinely strive to see things from the other's point of view and care about each other's feelings and the outcome. It's a book about the many different ways you can compromise without sacrificing your own individuality.
Which is quite astonishing given how relatively sparse the text is, with easy vocabulary strategically placed amidst the illustrated panels. This is a testament to Vikram Madan's excellent artwork, which is expressive, adorable and gorgeously colored. The colors in Making Music especially are a visual feast, putting the truth to the saying that a picture, at least in the hands of a really good artist, is worth a thousand words. And the pacing is exquisite throughout, building the perfect level of suspense for each short vignette before the resolution of its conflict.
Both of my reluctant readers really enjoyed reading this book with me. I personally appreciated how it gave me the chance to discuss their current woes and to see how we could work them out in productive fashions. Owl And Penguin: Best Day Ever is a perfect starter graphic novel for kids, and just overall a really terrific picture book. Recommended."
Kids love Owl & Penguin!
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Owl & Penguin is a Junior Library Guild GOLD STANDARD Selection.
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School Library Journal Says "Cute and Cheery, This Graphic Novel for Early Readers is a Functional, Fun Read-Together."
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Goodreads Reader Review describing the positive experience of reading this book with a dyslexic child.
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MA Youth Services says the book is easy-to-follow, accessible, really funny, colorful, sweet, cute, and "will be appreciated for themes of empathy and consideration".
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Oregon Coast Youth Book Center says the book is easy to read, sweet, kind, mostly visual, and "builds confidence in emergent readers".
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The Toldeo Blade says the book is amusing, has 'joie de vivre', is filled with "undeniable charm", delightful, gleeful, and has "lovable pals that will win legions of young fans".
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Sketch vs. Final Art
Now available at all bookstores and online retailers, including Penguin / Indiebound / Amazon Book 2 / B&N / Books-a-Million
Signed Copies can be ordered from Island Books in Mercer Island WA and Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond WA.
Signed Copies can be ordered from Island Books in Mercer Island WA and Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond WA.
Graphic Novel, Early Reader, New Books for Kids, Owl, Penguin, Early Graphic Reader, Beginner Graphic Novel, I like to Read Comics, Holiday House, Vikram Madan, ArtByVikram, Owl & Penguin, Emerging Readers, Award-winning, Geisel Honor, Dr. Seuss Honor, Theodor Seuss Geisel.