If winter starts to get you down, this collection of penguin-packed picture books is bound to be the perfect pick-me-up. But don’t take our word for it–grab a few of these books, waddle over to your favorite chair, and see for yourself!
Download our free library list to take with you on your next visit to the library.
If You Were a Penguin
by Wendell Minor
This rhyming romp explores the habits and habitats of penguins in a fun and entertaining way. You’ll discover where penguins live, what they eat, and all the fun things they do. You’ll see penguins in a whole new way…just as if you were a penguin!
Little Penguin’s Tale
by Audrey Wood
Grand Nanny Penguin knows a thing or two about how little penguins can get into trouble. While she spins a cautionary tale for a flock of young penguins, one of them sneaks away to find his own adventure and winds up getting more than he bargained for!
One Cool Friend
by Toni Buzzeo
One day while visiting the aquarium, an extremely well-behaved boy named Elliot meets a penguin and decides that he has found the ideal pet. Surely having a penguin is worth the effort of caring for him. Now he just has to figure out how to keep his pet a secret…
The Emperor’s Egg
by Martin Jenkins
Emperor penguins are among the most devoted parents in the animal world. While mother penguin is away fishing for her young pup, the father penguin works to keep their egg warm. For two long months, come snow or come shine, he watches over the egg! It’s a hard job—can he do it?
Up & Down
by Britta Teckentrup
In this delightful interactive tale of opposites, readers tag along on Little Penguin’s journey to visit his beloved friend on a far-away iceberg. Lift the flaps to discover all the opposites that Little Penguin encounters along the way–ups and downs, ins and outs, and even a few overs and unders!
Tacky the Penguin
by Helen Lester
Tacky the Penguin isn’t like his friends. In fact, Tacky is a very odd bird. He doesn’t dress neatly, his song isn’t pretty, and when the other penguins march in straight lines, Tacky just turns somersaults! But when hunters arrive, Tacky’s friends realize that being odd may be a good thing after all.
Learning to Fly
by Sebastian Meschenmoser
Everyone knows penguins can’t fly–and that’s what a little penguin was told right before he crashed. But what can happen if Penguin believes he can fly? Read along as Penguin and his friends try to find a way to get him back into the sky–no matter what anyone else says!
A Penguin Pup for Pinkerton
by Steven Kellogg
When Pinkerton hears how penguins care for their eggs, he becomes convinced that the black-and-white football he found is going to hatch–and he thinks he’s the one to hatch it! Can this lovable Great Dane prove that he’s as good a parent as a penguin?
Flight School
by Lita Judge
More than anything, Penguin wants to learn to fly. He knows he has the heart of an eagle! And although his teachers aren’t sure he can do it, Penguin knows he can fly. Will his teachers finally figure out a way to help the determined penguin realize his dream?
Lost and Found
by Oliver Jeffers
When a little boy finds a sad-looking penguin on his doorstep, he’s sure the penguin is unhappy because he is lost. Surely sailing all the way to the South Pole to return him home will cheer him up! But what if the penguin is looking for something else?
Pierre the Penguin: A True Story
by Jean Marzollo
Pam is a biologist who takes care of penguins, and she’s discovered a problem—one of the penguins is losing his feathers! Without feathers, Pierre can’t swim, and the other penguins are afraid of him. How can Pam help Pierre until his feathers grow back?
Flora and the Penguin
by Molly Idle
When Flora meets a penguin on the ice, it calls for an impromptu ice dance–until Flora refuses Penguin’s gift. Can they make up and finish their ballet? Interactive flaps tell the story in this beautifully illustrated wordless picture book.
Where Is Home, Little Pip?
by Karma Wilson
Every night, Little Pip’s Mama and Papa sing her a song about home. But when Pip wanders too far away, she’s not sure she can find her way home again. The other animals try to help, but their homes don’t sound like Pip’s. Can Pip find her way back?
A Mountain of Friends
by Kerstin Schoene
Penguin is sad. He longs to soar about up in the clouds, but how can a penguin possibly do that? When he tells the other animals how sad he is that he can’t fly, Penguin’s mountain of friends decide it’s time to work together to help their little friend soar.
Grumpy Pants
by Claire Messer
Even penguins can be grumpy pants! Penguin wakes up all out of sorts and no matter what he does, he just can’t seem to shake his case of the grumps. Maybe he can wash the grumpiness away in the tub! Hopefully THAT will help him feel better.
Blown Away
by Rob Biddulph
All it takes to start a wild arctic adventure is one kite, three penguins, two extra friends, and a great big gust of wind! Blown away on the tail of a kite, these castaways find themselves stuck on a jungle island far from their icy home. Can they find a way back?
Penguin and Pinecone
by Salina Yoon
When a penguin discovers a cold and lost-looking pinecone, an unlikely but wonderful friendship is born. And although friendships don’t always make sense, Penguin and Pinecone prove that when you give kindness and love, friendship always grows.
I Am Small
by Emma Dodd
I Am Small is a small story with a big message. In a world filled with deep oceans, strong winds, and steep mountains, little people sometimes feel really small. But this precious picture book is the perfect reminder that even little ones are big when they are loved!
FREE Penguin Picture Book Library List
Would you like to read some of my favorite penguin picture books with your children?
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Looking for MORE books? You can find more great library lists here!
Favorite Penguin Picture Books Recommended by Our Readers
- Penguin and Pinecone: a friendship story by Salina Yoon (Recommended by Renée L., editor at All About Learning Press)
- I Am Small by Emma Dodd (Recommended by Renée L., editor at All About Learning Press)
- Be Brave, Little Penguin by Giles Andreae (Recommended by Deborah D., via Facebook)
- Playful Little Penguins by Tony Mitton (Recommended by Sarah L., via Facebook)
- Cuddly Dudley by Jez Alborough (Recommended by Cat T., via Facebook)
- Penguin’s Christmas Wish by Salina Yoon (Recommended by Gail T., via Facebook)
- The Little Penguin by A.J. Wood (Recommended by Christina W., via Facebook)
- How Deep Is the Sea by A.J. Wood (Recommended by Anna M., via Facebook)
- Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World by H.A. & Margret Rey (Recommended by Falon M., via Facebook)
Do you have a favorite picture book that features penguins? Please share it in the comments below and I’ll add it to our Readers’ Picks box!

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