Penguin's Big Surprise

Name: Penguin's Big Surprise
ISBN: 9780545045100

by Susie Jenkin-Pearce

For the child who is nervous about a new addition to the family or needs help adjusting to the idea of sharing their world with someone new.

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About This Book

A parent should reach for this book when their child is expressing anxiety, skepticism, or even a little bit of annoyance about an upcoming change in the family dynamic. It is the perfect tool for helping a young child process the 'waiting period' that comes with a new sibling, using the gentle and relatable lens of the animal kingdom to make a big life transition feel manageable. In this story, Penguin is presented with a large, mysterious egg and told it is a surprise. As he waits for it to hatch, he experiences a range of emotions from confusion to protectiveness. This book is ideal for children ages 3 to 7 because it validates the 'not knowing' phase of becoming an older sibling. Parents will appreciate how the story uses humor and warmth to shift the child's perspective from seeing a new baby as a disruption to seeing them as a wonderful new friend.

Love & Family New Sibling Animals Birds Curiosity & Wonder Family & Siblings Patience & Waiting Becoming a Big Kid

What Parents Should Know

Sad ThemesMild

Brief moments of loneliness or frustration while waiting for the egg to hatch.

Sensitive Topics

The book handles the arrival of a new sibling metaphorically through the hatching of an egg. It is entirely secular and focuses on the emotional readiness of the protagonist. There are no heavy or traumatic themes; the resolution is joyful and hopeful.