Synopses & Reviews
From the Penguin Books logo to
The March of the Penguins, a certain tuxedo-adorned member of the animal kingdom has long captured our hearts and imaginations. Stephen Martin regales us here with the cultural and natural history of the penguin, revealing many fascinating and little-known facts about this beloved bird.Over twenty species of penguins can be found in the Galápagos Islands and New Zealand as well as in Antarctica, and they range from the Little Bee Penguin at two pounds to the imposing Emperor Penguin, which can weigh in at over seventy-five pounds. Martin details the biological facts and natural history of each species, including their evolution, habitats, diet, and behavior, but he also explores the role of penguins in popular culture and thought—from childrens literature such as
Mr. Poppers Penguins, to Batmans nemesis, the Penguin, to films and television shows including
Happy Feet and
Pingu. In addition, over one hundred images of penguins enrich Martins engaging text.
A captivating natural and cultural history, Penguin will be an essential addition to the bookshelves of penguin fans everywhere.
About the Author
Stephen Martin is currently a senior project officer at the State Library of New South Wales. He is also the author of A History of Antarctica and The Whales Journey: A Year in the Life of a Humpback Whale and a Century in the History of Whaling.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1 Penguin Facts on File
2 Voyages of Discovery
3 Sealers and Zoo Collectors
4 Antarctica to Animation
5 Tourism, Films, Food
Conclusion
Penguin Species
Timeline
References
Select Bibliography
Websites
Acknowledgements
Photo AcknowledgementsIndex