Sidney of Sydney by Sue Whiting, illustrated by Liz Anelli

Title: Sidney of Sydney

Author: Sue Whiting, illustrated by Liz Anelli

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Walker Books

Published: 4^th June 2025

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 32

Price: $24.99

Synopsis: Based on a true story, this is a charming and adorable tale of a little penguin lost in a big city. From award-winning author, Sue Whiting.

Sydney is a big city with a busy harbour.
Sidney is a young penguin … and he’s trouble.
Sidney doesn’t mean to be trouble, he’s just curious. And one day that curiosity takes Sidney all over Sydney and on a grand adventure that lands Sidney in … TROUBLE!

Based on a true story …

~*~

Sidney is a little penguin living in Sydney Harbour. He’s got a bit of a habit of causing mischief and getting in trouble. Not that he means to, it kind of just happens. One day, his parents tell him that it is time for him to go out on his own. Sidney is having fun in the harbour until a huge storm hits Sydney, and the swirling waters and wind sweep him away. The storm carries him far from home and everything he knows – can Sidney get back to Sydney?

Sidney of Sydney was inspired by a true story. In 2016, a juvenile penguin was rescued from a storm water drain in Haberfield, Sydney by the RSPCA – over twenty kilometres from his colony in Manly. The kind people who found him took him to Taronga Zoo Animal Hospital, where he was cared for before being released back into its Manly colony. The Guardian and the ABC covered this story when it happened, showcasing the great work that the RSPCA and the Taronga Zoo Animal Hospital do to help and animals and work towards conservation, so this is a great story for all readers. Whilst it is based on a true story, it can still be read as a fun, fictional story that celebrates conservation and penguins, and talks about their role in the environment. Sydney comes to life during Sidney’s adventure and Liz Anelli’s fabulous illustrations. It’s a cute story that shows the adventurous spirit many young people and children have, and Sidney is a great character to follow.

This is a cute and adorable story about a young penguin told in beautiful prose by Sue Whiting, capturing Sidney and his journey wonderfully. She’s taken the basic idea and retold it simply and evocatively for readers aged four and older, making this an accessible story for all. Investigating the background behind the story was fun, and the two linked articles above give much more detail into what happened than what does in the story. The story works so well, and brings these little facts to life for readers. The words are accompanied by Liz Anelli’s fantastic illustrations that bring the story, Sidney, and Sydney to life in vibrant colours and tones.

Everything in this picture book is lovely, and I loved reading it. Penguins are cute and fun, so seeing them in a picture book is always nice. This is filled with fun and adventure, curiosity and wonder to get children learning about conservation and penguins, and is a great starting point to introduce this conversation. I think this is a great collaboration, and love these picture books that are based on history or true stories because they bring it to life in exciting ways to encourage children to explore the world around them. I am looking forward to seeing if Sue and Liz work together again and what they come up with.