I think it was the dance sequence with Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins that first sparked my love of penguins. Having just read Wayne Lynch’s newest book, I now feel confident in identifying the little flappers as Adelie penguins. That’s just one of the many fascinating facts I learned from this entertaining and information-packed book. Whether you’re already hooked on penguins, just curious, or need to know something for a project, this book covers all the bases, from habitats and habits, to mating and molting, to predators and prey.

As a devoted penguin watcher, Lynch not only details the lives of the 17 existing species of penguins around the world, he also regales us with funny and graphic firsthand accounts of scenes he has witnessed. There are also several references to a variety of researchers and their work that give insight into penguin behaviour. These additions give a personal, story-like quality to the text that make you want to read aloud and share some of the amazing revelations with others.

A wonderful bonus to the text are the photographs taken by Lynch, an expert wildlife photographer. Every page shows examples of different kinds of penguins and their quirky behaviour. The captions add important details to the book and offer a quick read for the browser. The final pages are devoted to a range map of the 17 penguin species and a photo gallery of each one, including its Latin name – something often omitted from children’s natural history books. An excellent index accompanies the book, making information easy to find for projects.