MarshallPub

Lots and Lots of Playful Penguins: And Their Toe-Tappin’ Feet! 2007. 75min. Marshall, DVD, $24.95 (9780978928643). PreS–Gr. 4. REVIEW First published April 1, 2008 (Booklist).

Kids will know penguins are cool (and warm, too), thanks to animated penguins P. J. and Artie, the hosts of this penguin filmfest. Colorful clips and stills featuring penguins in natural and captive habitats are backed by performer James Coffey’s songs, spunky instrumental music, or Artie’s fact- and trivia-filled patter. In descriptions of penguins ranging from Adélie to Kings (17 kinds in all), humorous voice-over narration instructs about habitat, height, weight, and more. The program even includes audio clips of the sounds various penguins make: African penguins sound like horns honking in the distance. Eleven menu choices allow viewers to watch footage of the entertaining creatures, learn facts, or get up and dance to an animated “music video.” Bonus features include clips of polar bears, arctic birds, and marine mammals. See also Lots and Lots of Fire Trucks [BKL Ap 15 07], another title in this ongoing series.

—Eloise Kinney

Video Librarian May/June 2008 (Volume 23, Issue 3) Lots & Lots of Playful Penguins (2007) 75 min. DVD: $19.95 ($24.95 w/PPR from www.marshallpub.com). Marshall Publishing (avail. from most distributors). PPR. ISBN: 978-0-9789286-4-3. Thanks to Happy Feet, March of the Penguins, and Surf’s Up, the world’s coolest birds are now a hot topic with the under-12 set. This nonfiction look at the 17 species of penguins (including the emperor, king, and rockhopper) focuses on distinguishing characteristics (such as various calls), habitats, and whether or not each species is endangered or threatened. The program opens with an animated music video called “Party Like a Penguin” (which delighted both my four- and seven-year-old sons), while additional chapters include “Penguins at the Shedd” (a visit to the titular aquarium) and “Penguin Rag” (which features silly background music and lots of special effects—fast-motion waddling, repeated funny moves, etc.). Recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Reagan)