Pistes d'exploration

What attributes would best describe Tacky? What does his name mean? Do you think his name suits him or would you give him another name? 

Discuss how Tacky outsmarts the trappers. What did the five companions learn about Tacky? 

Imagine Tacky and the penguins had been caught by the trappers. How would they have escaped? Write a different ending for the story.

Create number sentences by adding and subtracting the number of penguins and trappers in the illustrations.

Calculate how much money the trappers would make if they caught all six penguins (see page 17). Would that make them rich? 

Use a graphic organizer to help you compare the characteristics you already know about penguins to those portrayed in the story. 

Use the illustrations in the book to review prepositions of place (in, on, under, behind, in front of) and ordinals (first, second, third, last). 

Find the meaning of the word tacky. Is Tacky the penguin tacky? Discuss how someone can be tacky, have style or be original. How are these related to personality or fashion trends?

Discuss the power struggles and bullying incidents in the book. How do the characters use creative problem-solving? Consider how some problems among friends or in the schoolyard could benefit from innovative solutions.

Grandma and the Pirates, The Pirate and the Penguin

Mots-clés

Picture book , friendship , illustrations (watercolours) , individuality , originality , penguins

Commentaire descriptif

Tacky is no ordinary penguin. In fact, he is downright odd. His companions in the “nice icy land” where they live are quiet and polite; Tacky is boisterous, with back-slapping greetings (“What’s happening?”) and wild Hawaiian shirts. When the others play classical music, he belts out off-key tunes on the accordion. The other penguins turn up their noses and snub him. Ink line and watercolour illustrations depict the animal characters with expressive cartoon-like charm and humour. Penguins tumble and tramp across white pages, with vivid colours highlighting the action. When a group of hunters arrive, the already snappy text really kicks in: “They came with maps and traps and rocks and locks, and they were rough and tough.” They threaten to catch the penguins and “sell ‘em for a dollarAnd get rich, rich, RICH.” While the other penguins hide in fright, Tacky stands up to the hunters, shocking them with his unruly behaviour and finally driving them away with his off-pitch song. His companions realize that even though he might be odd, he is “a very nice bird to have around.”