I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kids Can Press in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a cute re-telling of the true story of João, the penguin he rescued from an oil spill and the friendship that blossomed. The illustrations are sweet, and the rhyming makes it fun to read.

I appreciated the authors note at the end of the book explaining oil spills and the effects on the afflicted wildlife.

The old man and the penguin was cute and at the first very sad because the penguin was too weak to move. The old man took care of the penguin until it healed but he was very sad to leave him, so the penguin stayed longer.

I can't wait to show this book to my kids! I know they're going to be obsessed - with the book and its stunning illustrations, and with the author's note at the back that explains the true story. This is the sort of true story kids live for, and there's so much in it that can be used educationally. The book can serve as a jumping-off point for phonological awareness and rhymes, for geography, for science, or for lessons on the environment and our impacts on it.

This was such a cute book and what was really nice is that it is based off a true story! The writing style was lovely, and I enjoyed the rhyming. However, I would have loved it to be a little bit longer and to watch the penguin and the old man's relationship blossom a bit more! Overall this is a lovely book, which children will delight in.

"The Old Man and the Penguin" is a new children's book that tells the story of a unlikely pair that forge a lasting friendship. The old man is walking along the coast and comes across the penguin who is covered in oil and in need of help. The old man is kind and decides to help clean the penguin and this leads to many adventures together that a friendship that stands the test of time.

This book was an endearing tale that our entire family enjoyed. We did have some issues trying to figure out how to pronounce the old man's first name, Joao. It was good that they had the pronunciation in the author's note at the back of the book... but it would have been better served in the front of the book. Other than that, we loved the entire book. The illustrations were wonderful and we loved learning more about the habits of the Magellanic penguin at the end of the book.

Sweet story and lovely illustrations. Penguins are a fav in our household. My kiddo liked the story and laughed at the penguin's name.

Sweet, True Story

This picture book is based on a true story about a Brazilian man who finds an injured and oily penguin on the beach and helps bring it back to health. This unlikely pair forms a friendship of sorts. When the man first takes the penguin back to the wild, the bird doesn't want to go and comes back to him. Eventually, the bird decides to leave, but he comes back every year to this beach and to the man. The book subtly teaches about environmentalism and more broadly about friendship. I wish the author had placed the pronunciation of the man's name at the beginning of the book instead of at the end because I had no idea how to pronounce the name as it is in Portuguese. I don't imagine most parents out there would know how to pronounce that either, but it is in the back of the book if you need it (je-WOW). The author did include a page at the back that describes the actual story of this man and the penguin. I think this story would be enjoyable for most younger children, especially when they realize that this actually happened.

I love when the author's take real life stories and create a world to immerse and share with children. The Old Man and the Penguin is a sweet story that leaves children and adults wanting to learn more about this unexpected friendship that is formed between a man and a lost penguin. It seems so unlikely, but the fact that it is based in truth makes me love the story all the more. The illustrations are wonderful and it is well written for story time or a bedtime story.

Review from the Mini-Me Reviewer: Wow that's so fun! I love it! I love that he found his home but still came back to visit!

I can only read books that can be downloaded to my Kindle. Sorry.. I have no review. Sorry. Xxxxxxxxxxxx

The Old Man and the Penguin is such a sweet story. It’s actually the true story of a man in Brazil who found an oil slicked penguin on the beach and cleaned him up. The penguin decided he liked it there and stayed, forming an unlikely friendship with the man. The penguin leaves for several months every year but always finds his way back to João.

I had heard the real story just weeks ago, so I was excited to see that it was made into a picture book. It’s told in simple rhyme, and the illustrations fit the story perfectly. The book ends with a note from the author about the story, Magellanic penguins, and oil spills.

Absolutely deligjtful tale, told in rhyme and based on true events. An old man (João) finds an oil-soaked penguin on the beach near his home. He rescues him, cleaning him off and giving him food. João names the penguin “Dimdim.” The two form a friendship. Even though João eventually returns Dimdim to the ocean to find his own kind, the penguin returns each year to visit João. Beautifully illustrated, this is a book to cherish.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. The true story is fascinating and the artwork is gorgeous. It can be used for many different school subjects, as well. Highly recommended!

The Old Man and the Penguin is a real story about Joao Periera, a retired bricklayer and a shore stuck penguin which he rescues.

The rhyme scheme is simple and easy to follow. The illustrations are vivid and it elevates the emotive story line. The bonding between them is expressed in a beautiful manner and the fact that it was based on a real story makes the whole experience feel surreal. The author also talks about how the oil leaks in seas and oceans pose a major threat to the survival of birds, fishes, and penguins. He has addressed a key environmental issue through a beautifully woven story which deems applause and respect.

Joao finds a penguin, whom he names Dindim, and decides to befriend him in this super cute tale.

This book is adorable! I love little stories about friendship! It's important to be nice and friendly with one another, and especially help those in need! This story focuses on that trait and does a great job of it. Joao takes care of his little penguin friends and gets him back on his feet.

To add to this amazing story, it's also real! Joao lives in Rio de Janeiro and actually helped nurse a penguin back to health. There is also information on how wildlife is being affected by some of our toxic human activities, so you can add some educational material to this book or just read it as a cute story.

I really like this book and I think it is excellent. I'd highly recommend it to young readers looking for a pretty book with a great story! Especially if they love animals and penguins!

The art style is soft, full of colour and unique. It makes this story super adorable and easy to follow, and will hook you to the page.

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

A wonderful book based on the true story of Joao, a retired bricklayer in Rio de Janeiro, who finds a penguin covered in oil on the beach. Joao takes the penguin home and cleans, feeds, and nurtures Dindum back to health. When Joao tries to release Dindum to the sea, Dindum won't go. It is only when Dindum's natural instinct kicks in that he returns to the sea, but he comes back to Joao for eight months every year. This story, told in rhyme with beautiful illustrations, would be an excellent resource when teaching children about the environment and the hazards animals and humans face when we don't look after our planet. I would like to thank #NetGalley and #KidsCanPress for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Such a cute, true story about a man who rescues a penguin affected by an oil spil. The two form a great friendship, but the penguin is definitely not a pet. It is all written in rhyme, which makes it very nice to read. I love that the author at the end tells us a bit about the penguin's species, oil spills and what to do when one finds an animal in distress. The art is beautiful, and fits very well with the story and its setting. A very nice feel-good read.

What an amazing story. I love a rhyming picture book, as the cadence makes reading it aloud flow so nicely.
However, not all books that rhyme are easy to read. This was wonderful and the story was so compelling. So glad there was information at the back, so that we could learn more. Wonderful story and illustrations!

Such a wonderful book, based on a true story, about a man and the penguin he rescues. The bond they form is a caring one, and it is easy to see that it was built on trust and empathy. This is a great book to teach your little one about caring for wildlife and our planet.
I also appreciated the note in the back that explained how oil spills are harmful to animals, and what to do if you were to ever find a wild animal in distress.
The illustrations were remarkable, and followed the rhyming text with precision so that your youngest readers would still be able to engage with the story.

Read via netgalley.

Needing a book to entertain a two, three, five and nine year old I was grateful to find this book. Based on a true story of a man who saves an oil-covered penguin and a unique and beautiful friendship is created.

This was such a beautiful story! Although, full disclosure, my favourite animals are penguins so I may be a little biased. I absolutely adored the story, and didn’t learn it was based on a true story until the end, as much as I enjoyed the illustrations! So much talent in a handful of pages! I am also particularly fond of children’s books that rhyme, so this book ticked all the boxes. Not too long, not too short, the perfect length and eye catching colours.

My sincerest thanks to Netgalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for my review.

5/5 stars

Old Man and the Penguin is a short illustrated book about a penguin in trouble who is rescued by Joao and the bond that is then created between those two. I think it is a beautiful story about the friendship between man and animal and how the most unlikely miracles can happen. I was very excited to read that it is based on true events! The story is written in verse and it is very easy for children to understand. I would definitely gift it to my young relatives.