• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3

The most romantic penguin tale ever told!

Here is the classic tale of Cinderella, featuring a cast of penguins. Poor Cinderella Penguin. Her stepmother and stepsisters are off to the Penguin Prince's ball, and she's left behind and feeling very sad. That is, until the Great Fairy Penguin arrives to grant her greatest wish. Cinderella Penguin is going to the ball! Based on the Academy Award-nominated NFB animated film, this is a Cinderella story for the 21st century. Recommended reading ages 4 – 8

Janet Perlman lives in Montreal and is a writer and illustrator of funny children’s books and a director of funny animated films. Her work has received international acclaim, including an Oscar® nomination and many festival grand prizes.As a child Janet wanted to be a geologist or a stewardess. Her first job consisted of putting scented plastic roses into plastic bags. None of this portended a career in books and film, but as an art student, she found her passion for telling stories through her drawings. Janet now works in her home studio, where she creates most of her artwork in the computer. The Emperor Penguin’s New Clothes is one of a trilogy of penguinized retellings of fairy tales, which include Cinderella Penguin, and The Penguin and the Pea. Two of her books are based on animated films she made at the National Film Board of Canada: Cinderella Penguin (The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin) and The Delicious Bug (Dinner For Two).

Janet Perlman's profile page

• Winner, Children's Choice Award

Having taken the delightfully ridiculous decision to make Cinderella a penguin, Janet Perlman writes the familiar story with a straight face, and is always consistent. It’s the illustrations that make this book hilarious.

It’s the funny, full-color illustrations that really make the book a success: penguins cinching corsets, “Lady and the Penguin” tapestries on the palace wall, the Prince and Cinderella dancing a tango. These wide-eyed characters are full of personality. An amusing variant with a silly premise that works throughout the book.