Hannah Coates (text) and Claire Neyland (illustrator), A Home for Little Penguin, Forty South Publishing, October 2020, 32 pp., RRP $24.95 (hbk), ISBN 9780648854029
A Little Penguin’s home is destroyed by a yellow ‘monster’ digger and he sets off to find a new home, engaging with various local wildlife on its travels. The story is heavy on dialogue as Little Penguin encounters each new animal and a touch light on themes of environmental conservation. The illustrated map of Tasmanian Little Penguin viewing locations in the appendix encourages children to visit their habitats.
The blue watercolour palette is soothing contrasted with the yellow of the digger and each animal’s home detailed beautifully.
This is a debut book for Tasmanian locals Hannah Coates and Claire Neyland who are clearly passionate about protecting local wildlife.
Reviewed by Stef Gemmill
