Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Adorable mouse learns patience waiting to sing for family.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Cute and creative mouse Penny comes home from school anxious to sing her new song to her family, but Mama and Papa make her wait, first so as not to wake her baby siblings, then until after dinner. While Penny waits, she thinks up ways to entertain herself. Then finally, when the time is right, she sings her song, and the whole family sings along and joins in the fun.
Is It Any Good?
PENNY AND HER SONG works as both a delightful read-along and an engaging early reader, with its short chapters and simple text. Award-winning author-illustrator Kevin Henkes has created an appealing, spunky female character and a realistic, positive portrayal of family dynamics in a busy household where family members have different, sometimes conflicting, needs. Henke's pastel-palette illustrations are super cute, and Penny is reminiscent, in appearance and impatience, of the star of Henkes' bestselling Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how tough it is to be told you have to wait -- for anything! What do you find particularly hard to wait for?
Is it fair for Penny' parents to make her wait from afternoon until after dinner to sing her song?
Have you read any picture books by this author? How do you think this chapter book compares? Is he still using art to tell his story?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Kevin Henkes
- Genre : Family Life
- Topics : Animals , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Greenwillow Books
- Publication date : February 28, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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