Adventures of Penny by Kevin Henkes

Adventures of Penny is actually three early reader books put into one. The first book is called “Penny and Her Song”. Penny makes up her own song. She wants to sing it for someone, but the babies are sleeping. She wants to sing it at dinner, but Mama says “Not at the table.” Finally, after dinner she sings her song and then everyone joins in. They put on a show as a family. After, everyone is sleepy and goes to bed. Penny remembers her song in the morning.

The second book is “Penny and Her Doll”. While Mama is weeding the garden and Penny is smelling the roses, a box arrives for Penny. Inside is a new doll from Gram. Penny loves her doll. When Papa asks what the doll’s name is, Penny doesn’t have an answer. No name seems right. Then the name Rose comes to Penny while she is in the garden. Now everyone has a name.

The last book is “Penny and her Marble”. While going for a walk with her doll on the sidewalk, Penny sees a shiny, blue marble in Mrs. Goodwin’s yard. Penny puts the marble in her pocket and races home. While admiring the marble, she notices Mrs. Goodwin in her yard. Penny wonders if she is looking for the marble. Then Penny hides it in her dresser.

The rest of the day, Penny can’t stop thinking about the marble. Her stomach hurts a little and she isn’t hungry. That night she has a nightmare about the marble. The next morning, Penny takes the marble back to Mrs. Goodwin’s yard. As she is leaving, Mrs. Goodwin stops Penny and tells her that she put the marble in her yard so that someone would find it and use it. Then she gives it to Penny. Penny goes home with the marble and has the biggest breakfast ever!

Each one of these early reader books is a winner. The first two stories are simple, sweet, and wonderfully appropriate. The third book has more of a real dilemma for Penny. This story is so very applicable for real life for our kids. What does stealing look like? Not always what you think.

Kevin Henkes’s familiar and lovely “mouse style” illustrations are the perfect compliment to these wonderful stories. I highly recommend “Adventures of Penny” for your family and early reader.

What is odd is that I can’t find the collection of books together anymore. I have linked Penny and her Marble in the section below (that one is my favorite) but if you scroll down there is usually and option to purchase all three single books, if you desire to do so.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclaimer for more info.

1. Book 1- Have you ever made up a song? Can you make up one now?
2. Book 2- Your name was given to you by your parents. What do you like about your name?
3. Book 3- What should Penny have done instead of just taking the marble from Mrs. Goodwin’s yard?