Top critical review
2.0 out of 5 starsNot a Fan of the Messages
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2016
While I like that this book is an easy reader and cute for kids, I find that it teaches kids that stereotypes are okay.
For example, in the beginning of the book, it talked about his bossy big sister. Now we all know about bossy big sisters but they are in no way acceptable. On the other hand, I was glad when at the end the parents stepped in and defended the penguin.
I was also not fond of the school rules. While they were all reasonable rules, Tony broke them often. Or at least that what the teacher thought. If the teacher was a good teacher, she would have talked to Tony giving him other strategies to help him work through what she felt where his problems.
I felt this book talked down to Tony. I think all of his mistakes were age appropriate and should have been talked about. Not a fan of the way the teacher treated him.
As a side note, I am all into holding kids accountable for their actions. However, the only way they can be held accountable is if you talk to them and get their side of the story.
This book made Tony accountable as if he was always doing something wrong.
