Tacky and the Winter Games (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Tacky and the Winter Games April Spisak Lester, Helen Tacky and the Winter Games; illus. by Lynn Munsinger. Lorraine/ Houghton, 2005 [32p] ISBN 0-618-55659-1$16.00 Reviewed from galleys R 4-7 yrs The Winter Games are approaching, and Tacky the penguin (from Tackylocks and the Three Bears, BCCB 12/02) has been enlisted into Team Nice Icy Land to compete for the Big Winner gold medal. As the event approaches, the team trains diligently—except for Tacky, who prepares in his own inimitable way. At the opening ceremony, the formal drumbeat gives way to a sudden interruption ("Ratty-tatty-tatty-boomby-ratty-tatty-boom—Hey!") as Tacky, standing on his head and holding the team flag with his feet, helps kick off the games with his own sense of flair. Humorous and suspenseful, this title is full of clever details such as the Winter Games Anthem (complete with musical score) and a dramatic relay race, the results of which can only be determined with x-rays after Tacky unwittingly swallows the baton. As in the previous titles, the line-and-watercolor illustrations create a visually appealing penguin-scape. The contrast between the mostly cool palette and the dark red accents, especially in the coat of the officiating grizzly bear, adds to the visual drama. Munsinger's illustrations often provide mischievous humor by directly contradicting the text: above the line "they ate special training meals," Tacky's teammates, a well-mannered row of spinach-consuming penguins, comply, while the bottom half of the page shows Tacky secretly gorging on pizza, doughnuts, and potato chips. Sure, Tacky could eat better or train harder, but he is extravagantly happy and he manages to compete successfully in the last event; what more could we ask of our heroes? With such events as bobsledless racing and ski jumping with frozen fish as skis, the penguin sports are just similar—and playful—enough to make this book a high-demand readaloud as the 2006 Winter Olympics approach. Copyright © 2005 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois