The Children's Book Review Loves Penny Pangolin!
I'm super excited and honored to announce the The Children's Book Review has just awarded Penny Pangolin and the Tablet Turmoil with a glowing review! See the full review on their website here. The content of the review is copied below.
What to Expect: Technology, screen time, being present, friends, family, nature, pangolins.
Screen addiction is a real and growing problem for the US. One 2024 report indicates that children today spend up to 8 hours each day in screen-based activities. However, with so many adults required to spend time on their devices for work and to complete basic housekeeping tasks, it can be challenging to explain to children why their screen time should be limited. In this timely picture book, children will learn what they miss when they get addicted to screens—and how easily it can happen—by observing a relatable animal character’s first experience with a tablet device.
Penny thinks it’s strange how much time the people around her spend on their phones and tablets. Whether they are at the park, eating in a restaurant, or even visiting the restroom, their eyes seem to be constantly glued to their screens—and Penny notices they are missing out on all the wonderful things happening in the real world around them. But when Penny is given a tablet of her own, it doesn’t take long for her to become addicted to it.
Soon, she’s spending as much time staring at her screen as everyone else is—and she doesn’t even notice the things she’s missing out on. Then, Penny’s tablet goes missing. Is this the tragedy it feels like, or is it really the perfect opportunity for her to get control of her life again?
Penny is intelligent but also technologically inexperienced, making her the perfect model for young readers to learn from. With its focus on the alternative ways readers can get the benefits screens seem to offer (for example, through observing rather than Googling, or chatting rather than watching videos), the story makes a compelling case to young readers that they won’t be missing out when they are not on their devices. The colorful digital illustrations help readers recognize the vibrant real world around Penny that is neglected when she is glued to her screen, while a helpful guide at the end of the book provides additional guidance on managing screen time, as well as some fun facts about Pangolins.
Informative without being preachy, Penny Pangolin and the Tablet Turmoil is a great resource for teaching young readers screen control.
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