The Accidental Penguin Hotel (Andrew Kelly, illus by Dean A Jones, Wild Dog) 

The fairy penguins, or little penguins, that nest on the breakwater in St Kilda, Victoria haven’t always been there—precisely because the breakwater itself was only built in the 1950s. The Accidental Penguin Hotel, by Andrew Kelly, Yarra Riverkeeper and co-author of 2019’s Wilam: A Birrarung story, imagines the events that could have led to this particular colony being established. The narrative draws on a factual foundation involving the nesting habits of little penguins to tell a story that will be engaging for anyone who has a fondness for animals, or who has visited St Kilda to watch the penguins come in at sunset. Dean A Jones’s detailed illustrations are vivid and full of movement. They capture reality while remaining bright and engaging, pairing with the text effectively to paint a fully realised picture of the penguins that live right alongside humans in inner city Melbourne. The end of the book features a double-page spread with information about little penguins, as well as a calendar detailing the seasonal movements of the St Kilda colony. The Accidental Penguin Hotel will make the perfect addition to any school, library or home as either a precursor to or memento of a visit to the pier, or as simply a good factional read for penguin lovers aged 3 to 12.

Michael Earp is a writer, bookseller and the manager of the The Little Bookroom.

Category: Reviews