The Emperor's Egg

An emperor penguin keeps an egg safe through the bitter Antarctic winter while the mother searches for food. Martin Jenkins's accessible account follows the patience and remarkable care involved in bringing a chick into the world. Patrick Benson's illustrations give the real-life story warmth and scale, offering a compelling first encounter with survival, parental care and one of the planet's harshest environments.

Age suitability and learning: Preschool (3-5), Primary (6-8). The illustrated story suits shared reading with younger children and more independent exploration as reading grows. Following events encourages prediction, sequencing and vocabulary; discussing the characters gives children practice recognising feelings and considering other perspectives.

Available at QT Toys in Battersea.