Flora and the Penguin

Over winter break, I had the opportunity to bring the girl to the bookstore a few times. The bookstore is sacred space. It is the place I go to breathe, to relax, to recharge. I quickly realized that my 'space' and a two-year-old would not mesh together very well. She loves to pull things off of shelves and put them back (rarely in the correct spot). I could hear the quick inhalation of oxygen from the employee every time the girl put something back incorrectly. It was too much. We don't go to the bookstore together anymore.

However, the other night, I took off after bedtime and drove to the bookstore to do perusing while the girl slumbered away. It was lovely. I found several gems, including Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle.

The story in this wordless picture book is so heartfelt and amazing. I love the idea that friends can be found in unusual places, even when you are not looking. I think that this story would be great to talk about how you can have friends who don't have all the same interests as you, but you only need to have one or two things in common. 

The illustrations are just gorgeous. I really enjoyed how the book focuses your attention on Flora and the penguin by keeping the backgrounds to a minimum. The movable parts of the book really help the story come alive. I can't wait for the girl to be old enough to read this without ripping the flaps off of the book. 

Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle

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