The Snowy Penguin – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Antarctica, research, historical, discovery, danger.
Children’s book title: The Snowy Penguin.
Children’s author: Holly Webb.
Children’s illustrator: David Dean.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Little Tiger.
ISBN: 9781788957458.
Recommended for children aged: 7+.
First published: Paperback October 2025.
This children’s book is ideal for: introducing the concept of research in hostile environmental locations and the value of research into the life cycles of native animals. Also for looking at how historical facts can be slightly altered to provide settings or characters in a fictional story.
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Our review:
Bella was sure she meant it when she encouraged her mum to apply to go on a mission to study penguins in Antarctica. Now, though, when she’s actually going, it doesn’t seem like it had been such a good idea.
Bella can’t believe she gets to accompany her mum on her research trip, and it’s for six months. That, however, is only the first amazing thing that happens to her; she sees more penguins than she’d ever imagined, and there, amongst them, she spots the incredibly rare isabelline penguin. Not black but a pale brown, Bella knows it’s special and then, unbelievably, a boy called Jules says he can also see it – but he thinks it’s 1840.
Together, they protect the penguin they’ve called Izzy from the sailors on Jules’s ship who want to capture and stuff it. This isn’t a simple process, and when Jules falls into an icy crevasse, it’s up to Bella to save them both.
Our verdict:
Holly Webb’s wildlife novels are heart-warming and educational, taking the reader on a journey towards understanding some of the problems faced by different animal species worldwide. There isn’t a strong environmental message here, with only the negative results of international flights and the importance of recycling being mentioned. Instead, the author concentrates on the value of research, especially in extreme natural habitats, and the dangers which have to be experienced to achieve successful results.
The historical side of this tale is based on fact, but the actual location, year, and participants are all changed. There is, however, plenty of scope for discussion and activities based around the storyline, which is positive and uplifting without shying away from the difficulties and sacrifices such a trip would include.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Bella is leaving everyone she loves, apart from her mum, to go on the trip of a lifetime. What things would you miss the most if you went with them?
- How do you think Bella could have explained Jules to her mum if she hadn’t been able to rescue him herself?
- The historical elements of this story have been altered to fit with the plot. Have a look at the author’s comments at the back of the book and make a note of what she changed.
- If you had to pick a person or event from the previous century to add into your own story, who or what would you choose? What type of story would it be?
- Jules and Bella accepted each other very easily. Do you think the story would have been different if it had been two adults who met in a similar way?
- Jules left a special gift for Bella. Do you know how ships are put into bottles? If not, research this and write down the basic steps to make your own. You would already have the ship.
- Bella’s mum was very excited about the isabelline penguin and thought it could be a major news story. In a cross-curricular activity with art, design the cover of a nature magazine announcing this special discovery. What would be the most important things to mention?
Many thanks to Little Tiger for the review copy.
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