An Old Man and His Penguin: How Dindim Made João Pereira de Souza an Honorary Penguin

A moving affectionate and joyful tale all the more so for being true. - Kirkus ReviewsAn Old Man and His Penguin holds a number of important messages about human/animal relationships love oil slicks and their impact on sea life and loneliness. . . . its underlying focus on letting go and reaping rewards from non-possessiveness offers an outstanding lesson about love for the very young. -- D. Donovan Senior Reviewer Midwest Book ReviewOff the coast of Brazil João rescues a lifeless oil-covered penguin (Dindim) and nurses him back to health. Dindim adopts João as an honorary penguin and the steadfast friends do everything together. They swim together fish together and stroll the beach together. But there are real penguins somewhere across the sea. So one day Dindim leaves João. The villagers tell João the penguin will never come back. João cannot say if he will or will not. Are the villagers right? Will Dindim ever patter into his old friends loving arms again?Adults looking for an inviting animal story with an important message will welcome this appealingly different seaside tale. -- D. Donovan Senior Reviewer Midwest Book ReviewThe underlying lesson about compassion and good stewardship is subtle but effective; an authors note explains the real-life circumstances. Reardon who also illustrated the penguin-themed Noodles & Albies Birthday Surprise (2016) deftly captures the storys charm and expressiveness. . - Kirkus Reviews