Mrs. Penguin’s Perfect Palace

Summary

This story centers around Mrs. Penguin, who wishes for a proper house instead of living in rubbish. Supported by Papa Penguin and their children, the family attempts to build a home from sand, only to have it washed away by the tide, then from stone, which gets blown over by the wind. Discouraged but determined, Mrs. Penguin eventually devises a plan to use available materials—wood, nets, and plastic—to construct a sturdy dwelling. She assigns tasks to each family member, culminating in the successful completion of Mrs. Penguin's Perfect Palace. Through teamwork, perseverance, and creative recycling, the family overcomes challenges to fulfill Mrs. Penguin's dream of having a lovely home.

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“I wish I had a HOUSE!” said Mrs. Penguin.
“I don’t like living in rubbish.”

“Dear Mrs. Penguin,” said Papa Penguin.
“We will build you a palace.”

So the Penguin family set to work.
“The sand is making me itch,” grumbled Sissie.

“The measurements are wrong,” said Boetie.

“I’m hungry,” said Gobbles.

Mrs. Penguin sighed.
She was doing all the work.

At last the castle was finished.

But the tide came in and washed it away.
“We’ll try again,” said Papa Penguin.

“Come children, we’ll build Mama a mansion from stone.”

So the Penguin family set to work.

“The stones are heavy,” grumbled Sissie.

“The measurements are wrong,” said Boetie.

“I’m still hungry,” said Gobbles.

At last it was finished.
But the wind came up and blew it over.

Mrs. Penguin was cross.
“I’m not doing any more work,” she said.

“We’ll try again,” said Papa.
“I can’t think of anything,” said Sisi. “It’s too hard.”
“We haven’t got any cement,” said Boetie.
“You can’t build a proper house without cement.”

“I’m hungry,” said Gobbles.
Mrs. Penguin sighed. She was never going to get her home.

“Just look at all this mess,” she said.

Then Mrs. Penguin had an idea.

“Boetie, fetch wood,” she said.

“Sissie, find nets.”

“Gobbles, pick up plastic. Papa, fetch the hammer.”

All day they worked.

“I’m tired,” said Sissie.
“Keep working,” said Mama.
“The measurements are wrong,” said Boetie.
“Keep working,” said Mama.

“I’m still hungry,” said Gobbles.
“Keep working,” said Mama.

“It’s going to be wonderful,” said Papa.
“You’re doing a good job,” said Mama.

So they worked and worked and worked and worked…

…and at last the house was finished.

“Welcome to your palace,” said Papa. Mrs. Penguin clapped her flippers. “Thank you,” she said. “It’s Mrs. Penguin’s Perfect Palace.”


Credits

Originally published by Book Dash under a Creative Commons Licensed BY 4.0. This book can be read for free on https://bookdash.org/books/mrs-penguins-perfect-palace and was created by: Jennifer Jacobs (Designer), Helen Brain (Writer), Celeste (Illustrator)

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