October 4-8, 2010

I decided to write my review on "Tacky the Penguin", by Helen Lester.  It is the story of Tacky and his companions, Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect.  Tacky's companions greeted one another politely, dove gracefully, and sang beautifully.  Tacky said good morning with slaps on the back, made big cannonballs, and sang the song, "How Many Toes Does a Fish Have?"  One day, some hunters come looking for some pretty penguins so they can get rich.  Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect ran and hid, but Tacky greeted the hunters with a hard slap on the back and a loud, "What's happening?"  Tacky showed them his lovely penguin habits, and his companions joined him in singing "How Many Toes Does a Fish Have?" as horribly as they could.  The hunters ran away to find some pretty penguins.

As far as "Quality" goes, this book most definitely passes the test.  It has large, colorful pictures, and a very nice story with lovable, believable characters.  The language is great; one of my favorite passages says (about the hunters), "They came with their maps and traps and rocks and locks, and they were rough and tough."  It has a wonderful theme, too, which is actually the last line of the book: "Tacky was an odd bird but a very nice bird to have around."  This story also has within it a good moral: You don't have to be perfect/fit in for people to love you.  Lester has done an excellent job of writing a fun story with a moral, rather than a moral trying to be put into a story.

As for taste, I LOVE this book!  I don't remember when we got this book, but I do know that it is a favorite in our family.  It's very fun and incredibly hilarious.  One of my favorite parts is when it compares Tacky and his companions in how they march: "Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect always marched 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4.  Tacky always marched 1-2-3, 4-2, 3-6-0, 2 1/2, 0."

Based on quality and personal taste, I give this book an A+.  It's a very nice book to have around.