‘The Penguin song has lasted throughout the generations and has been sung to my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.’ - Gladys Milroy
Utterly charming! Penguin Oh Penguin is a gentle early childhood story about a penguin that runs away to be at sea. Rhyme is one of the building blocks of language learning, and this prosaic title highlights friendship, hope and home. The lilting rhythm of the verse comes through and is an absolute delight to read aloud. Perfect for toddlers and little wrigglers, this book will also appeal to older children who will love reading it themselves, or who may want to sing along.
‘I wrote Penguin Oh Penguin for my children over sixty years ago. I was always making up stories and songs for them but this one was the favourite. It came about when I bought a little black velvet penguin toy that we played with at bedtime.’ - Gladys Milroy
Gladys Milroy is from the Pilbara region in Western Australia. She born in 1927 and was taken as a young child and placed in the Parkerville Children's Home. Her people's country is the Palyku country of the eastern Pilbara. Gladys's story is told in her daughter Sally Morgan's book My Place.
Helen Milroy is a born storyteller and a talented artist. She is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, but was born and educated in Perth. Currently Helen is the University of Western Australia and Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission. Helen has been on state and national mental health and research advisory committees and boards with a particular focus on Indigenous mental health as well as the wellbeing of children. From 2013-2017 Helen was a Commissioner for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. In 2019, Helen was also appointed as a Commissioner with the Australian Football League.
