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The Penguin Lessons

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

NOW A MAJOR FILM STARRING STEVE COOGAN AND JONATHAN PRYCE


THIS IS THE TRUE STORY OF THE UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN A FLIGHTLESS BIRD AND A TEACHER OUT OF HIS DEPTH . . .

Tom Michell is in his roaring twenties: single, free-spirited and seeking adventure. He has a plane ticket to South America, a teaching position in a prestigious Argentine boarding school, and endless summer holidays.

What he doesn't need is a pet. What he really doesn't need is a pet penguin.

But while on holiday in Uruguay he spots a penguin struggling in an oil slick and knows he has to help. And then the penguin refuses to leave his side . . .

Clearly Tom has no choice but to smuggle it across the border, through customs, and back to school. He names him Juan Salvador.

Whether it's as the rugby team's mascot, the housekeeper's confidant, the host at Tom's parties or the most flamboyant swimming coach in world history, Juan Salvador transforms the lives of all he meets - including Tom, who discovers a compadre like no other . . .


AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 2

'A much-beloved tale about a much-beloved bird . . . Heart-warmingly eccentric' Guardian

'So touching that I didn't want it to end. I really loved this book' Michael Bond, creator of Paddington

'Charming' Daily Mail

'One of the most touching tales we've read all year' Heat

© Tom Michell 2015 (P) Penguin Audio 2015

Birds Environmentalists & Naturalists Pets & Animal Care Professionals & Academics Feel-Good
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I laughed, I cried and I fell in love with the penguin Juan Salvado. The penguin and it’s story will stay with me a long time.

A story to be remembered and cherished!

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I highly recommend this book about the rescue of a small Magellan Penguin. It’s an entertaining and sweet story, with some powerful messages.
The smooth tones of Bill Nighy’s voice wrap around this tale beautifully.

Charming and true

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this is a great story, with Bill Night as an excellent narrator. I would highly recommend this to read, or listen to.

excellent

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I felt warmly wrapped by the story, with the narration like a bow tying it up into a beautiful literary gift. I will appreciate so much more the penguins that live in colony not far from my home.

A delightful book

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I’ve just finished this and am writing without time to reflect or muse on what I write. It was lovely. Joy from start to finish. Do listen to it. I hope there’s a film one day.

I have tears in my eyes

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