Penguin and Pinecone



Last updated Sunday, January 5, 2014

Author: Salina Yoon
Date of Publication: 2012
ISBN: 9780802728432
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jan. 2014

Synopsis: When Penguin finds a lost pinecone one day, an unlikely friendship blooms. But Grandpa reminds Penguin that pinecones can't live in the snow-they belong in the warm forest far away. Though he will miss his friend, Penguin returns Pinecone to his home, dreaming of the day they can reunite. And when he finally returns to the forest to check on his friend, Penguin discovers that love only grows over time-and so do little pinecones! Prolific author/illustrator Salina Yoon's spare text and bright, energetic illustrations bring to life this endearing story celebrating friendships lost and found, and overcoming the odds to be with the one you love.

Note to readers:
•  This book is a short read. You might want to do a picture walk before or after reading the story.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What is a pinecone?
•  Have you ever been to a cold environment? Have you ever seen snow?

Vocabulary:
•  prickly - having or covered with prickles; thorny
•  knit & purl - To knit (yarn) with a purl stitch.
•  sled - A light wooden frame on runners, used by children for coasting over snow or ice.
•  journey - The act of traveling from one place to another; a trip.
•  forest - A dense growth of trees, plants, and underbrush covering a large area.
•  pine needles - The needle-shaped leaf of a pine tree.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Where do penguins live? (Penguins live only in the Southern Hemisphere with heavy populations existing on the fringes of Antarctica, but not at the South Pole itself.)
•  Where do pinecones live?
•  Where did Penguin take Pinecone?
•  What type of tree did Pinecone grow to be?
•  Did Penguin enjoy playing with Pinecone? How was the young Pinecone different than the grown Pinecone?
•  Can you each name some of your friends?
•  Where do you see your friends?
•  What did Pinecone need to grow tall and strong?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a penguin with heart-shapes for the inside, feet and nose. Use google eyes & yarn or ribbon for a scarf. Attach a craft stick to make a puppet or glue penguin to folded paper to make a card. (see sample)
•  Draw or cut-out big pine trees to make a forest scene. Glue pieces of yarn or ribbon to the top of the trees for scarves. Glue cut-out rocks in the shape of a heart at the base of the tree. (like the picture at the end of the story)
•  Make friendship bracelets (one for yourself & more for friends). Cut pieces of yarn big enough to wrap around the wrist and tie. Cut pieces of colored straws and string the yarn through.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!