Zenguin

Learn about mindfulness and calm with the help of ZENGUIN!

From Bank Street award-winning author Danna Smith and New York Times bestselling illustrator Sydney Hanson comes a sweet and calming picture book that helps instill life skills in young readers with basic, age-appropriate concept learning. Penguin is anxious amidst the hustle and bustle of his busy colony. He wishes to feel calm inside, but he doesn’t know how! Thankfully, a few of his Antarctic friends teach him their strategies for finding inner peace. Before long, Penguin can use his own zen techniques to handle a stressful situation, earning him his new name – Zenguin!

LOOK INSIDE

AWARDS

• 🎖️A Junior Library Guild Selection
• Amazon Best Books Editors’ Pick: Ages 3-5
• Barnes & Noble Best New Books January 2026

REVIEWS

“A gentle, calming story that shows young readers different ways to stay peaceful in a noisy world. Recommended for the SEL shelves.” —School Library Journal

“An adorable counter to anxiety, featuring easy exercises and charming Antarctic animals.”—Kirkus 

“Hanson’s softly lit illustrations have a fuzzy texture that emphasizes the text’s spotlight on self-soothing.”—Publishers Weekly

“Danna Smith engages little ones with simple language and sweet storytelling which acknowledges that even the youngest children feel the pressures and stresses of busy lives” —Celebrate Picture Books

DOWNLOADABLE ACTIVITIES

ZENGUIN invites you to discover your inner calm! Grab our free worksheets to gently guide you in creating your own personal Zen space and truly grasp the beautiful concept of Zen.

Plus, don’t miss out on the pure delight of our adorable coloring pages (find them here and here) and a tricky-but-fun Zenguin and Pip Maze!

Bonus! Put together a digital Puzzle of Zenguin and find more fun activities at Teachingbooks.net.

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“A gentle, calming story that shows young readers different ways to stay peaceful in a noisy world. Recommended for the SEL shelves.” — School Library Journal

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