PENGUINS are among the best-known and most easily recognized of all birds; they are also among the most beloved. The appeal of the penguin is easy to understand. These large, awkward birds waddle along comically with an air of bustling importance. They are extremely tame and curious around humans. And because they walk upright, have flippers instead of wings, and resemble someone wearing formal attire, they remind us irresistibly of ourselves. Penguins are full of surprises. Their noisy, elaborate courtship rituals take weeks to complete and lead to strong pair bonds that sometimes last a lifetime. Males and females share equally in the incubating of their eggs and rearing of their young. They can swim at speeds up to 7 miles (12 kilometers) per hour, and although they may at first appear awkward on land, they can waddle along as fast as a human going at a brisk pace. Illuminating in both words and remarkable pictures, PENGUINS is just one title in the acclaimed Creatures of the Ocean series. For those who want to delve into the amazing and sometimes mysterious world of ocean life, these books are a wonderful resource filled with scientific fact and beautiful photography.