A MISCHIEVOUS penguin, a dramatic seaside rescue, and an important lesson about forgiveness are at the heart of Pippin the Penguin, a delightful new rhyming children’s picture book by Caerphilly author Jackie Barrett.
Set against the stunning Welsh coastline near Tenby and Caldey Island, the story follows Pippin, a hungry and lovable penguin who finds himself in trouble after stealing fish from a busy dockside shop.
Full of regret after being chased away by angry townspeople, Pippin hides aboard a lifeboat, only to later find himself in the middle of a fierce sea rescue during a terrible storm.
Written in rhyme, the story introduces young readers to themes of bravery, kindness, and second chances.
“I wanted children to see that everybody makes mistakes,” says Jackie. “What matters is how we learn from them, show kindness, and try to make things right.”
Jackie, who spent most of her life in Cardiff before moving to Caerphilly eight years ago, says the inspiration for the story came from her lifelong love of penguins, poetry, and the beautiful Tenby coastline.
“Tenby has always been one of my favourite places,” Jackie explains. “I love the coastline, the harbour, and the atmosphere there, so when I began writing a rhyming story, it just had to be about a penguin in Tenby.”
The story also celebrates the wildlife and scenery of Caldey Island, mentioning its monks, puffins, sheep, and red squirrels, giving the book a distinctly Welsh coastal identity.
Jackie’s passion for writing began in childhood when she won a County Schools poetry competition at around ten years old with a poem titled Shopping, earning a memorable trip to a Cadbury’s factory as her prize.
Today, she continues writing poetry for friends and family, often creating humorous and heartfelt verses for special occasions.
As both a mother and grandmother, Jackie says years of reading children’s books inspired her to create stories of her own.
“Children naturally respond to rhythm and rhyme, and I wanted Pippin’s adventures to feel fun, exciting, and comforting at the same time,” she said.
Jackie has already written two further Pippin adventures and hopes readers will soon be able to enjoy more stories featuring the brave little penguin.
