On bright square pages, a penguin child plays with boundless energy and considerable clatter ("I drum on the pot....I bounce on the bed") while mum-or dad-makes repeated requests for quiet.
But the child's exuberant play cannot be contained, so he-or she-is sent outside for more noisy fun with friends.
The penguin parent appears loving in both expression and words ("that looks like fun!") even while directing the play outside, and when raindrops fall, the child is invited back inside under a protective umbrella-"but PLEASE be quiet!" In a series of four wordless panels, the resourceful child figures out how to do just that, donning a pair of fluffy socks to skip rope with a soft "hush, hush, hush."
"Clever you!" praises the elder penguin, and at last we see the reason for all the shushing: a sleeping baby cradled in parent's arms.

Experienced older siblings may guess at the existence of the baby even before a pair of tiny booties tumbles out of the sock drawer. Young children will recognize the child faced with the near-impossible task of being quiet when it's so clearly time to play, and will be gently reassured by the parent who loves him, noise and all.

The illustrations with friendly animals, bold colors, and thick black outlines are in much the style of Lucy Cousins and hold similar appeal, and the sturdy pages will stand up to eager fingers.


Horn Book


Softcover.