Books Like Ellen and Penguin
Families who loved Ellen and Penguin by Clara Vulliamy often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Ellen and Penguin by Clara Vulliamy often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child clings to your leg at the park or uses a favorite toy as a shield in new social situations. It is a gentle, validating story about Ellen, a young girl who feels too small and shy to join the boisterous play at a local playground. Instead of being pushed to join in, Ellen is allowed to observe from the sidelines with her stuffed penguin until she finds a kindred spirit. This book is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers who are naturally cautious or slow to warm up. It beautifully models how quiet observation is a valid way to experience the world and shows that making a first friend often happens in small, quiet moments rather than loud, grand gestures. It provides comfort by normalizing social anxiety and celebrating the bravery found in a simple hello.
