The Emperor's Egg
By Martin Jenkins
Pageticker community rating
Average score: 4.73
From 11 readers
What do our readers think of The Emperor's Egg? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)
Children enjoy the cute penguin chick, realistic pictures and fascinating facts about how the father keeps the egg warm. Some children find a few parts funny but a little gross, especially the way the penguins feed their chick.
What does the Pageticker team say about The Emperor's Egg?
The Emperor's Egg turns a remarkable slice of penguin life into a lively, reassuringly fact-filled picture book. Martin Jenkins makes the male emperor penguin's two-month egg-sitting ordeal feel both heroic and faintly ridiculous, while Jane Chapman's expressive illustrations bring the icy setting to life. A brilliant choice for curious young animal lovers, though the description of how penguin parents feed their chick may prompt a few delightedly horrified faces.
Genres
What is The Emperor's Egg about?
In the harsh Antarctic winter, the male Emperor penguin takes on the vital role of incubating the egg. While the female returns to the sea to feed, the male balances the egg on his feet, enduring freezing temperatures for two months without eating, until the chick hatches. This story highlights the remarkable dedication of nature's most devoted father.
About the author
Martin Jenkins is a British author who loves writing books about animals, science, and the natural world. He is well known for his book 'The Emperor’s Egg', which tells the story of how emperor penguins look after their eggs. Martin enjoys making facts fun and interesting for curious readers like you!
Discussion ideas around The Emperor's Egg
A Very Dedicated Dad: What makes the male emperor penguin a good father, and what do you think is hardest about looking after the egg?
Teamwork: How do the mother and father penguins share the job of caring for their chick, and why is each penguin's part important?
Surviving the Cold: What helps the penguins survive the Antarctic winter, and what might you take with you if you had to stay somewhere so cold?
Nature's Surprises: Which fact about emperor penguins surprises you most, and why do you think it is useful for them?
Pictures and Words: How do the illustrations help you understand what the penguins are feeling or experiencing?
Pages
29 pages
Reading age
Picture Book (2-7)
This edition
1999
First published
1999
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