I am not a Penguin by Liz Wong - ADVISABLE

I am not a Penguin: A Pangolin's Lament by Liz Wong, PICTURE BOOK Alfred A. Knopf (Penguin Random House), 2021. $18. 978-593127407 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

There's an event where you can meet a Pangolin! But, the animals have never heard of a pangolin, they think it's a penguin because his name sounds similar. A pangolin has a long tongue like an anteater, scales like a snake and claws like a bear, but it's not a snake, anteater or bear. It can curl up and release a stink when it's scared but it's not a skunk or an armadillo. It's quite unique (and interesting). 

I loved this introduction to an animal I had never heard of. I learned so much, and laughed a little too. The illustrations are cute, and the story is told through dialogue between the Pangolin and the other animals - until the end, when there is a surprise visitor.

Lisa Librarian