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NORWALK

By NANETTE MORGES

Hour Staff Writer


Pierre may be the world's most famous penguin.

His rise to fame started in 2007 when he began to show signs of balding as his feathers were slowly falling out and breaking, according to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, where he lives.

While molting is normal for penguins, Pierre's feathers were not growing back, leaving the bird bare-bottomed. Without his feathers, Pierre was "getting picked on by other birds" and was hesitant to swim because it was cold, according to Pam Schaller, a senior aquatic biologist at the Academy of Sciences.

After trying several methods of keeping Pierre warm, such as sweaters and heat lamps, in February 2008, Pierre was fitted with a neoprene vest that allowed him to swim and better interact with the other penguins. Within six weeks of wearing the wet suit, his feathers started to grow back.

Pierre, now 27, lives a contented life at the academy, with a full body of feathers.

Pierre's story was brought to life for children recently in Jean Marzollo's new book, "Pierre the Penguin: A True Story" (June 2010, Sleeping Bear Press), illustrated by Laura Regan.

It was Regan who had heard the story of Pierre and contacted Marzollo.

"We've done other books together, so she knows my writing. When she heard of this story of Pierre, she told me, 'You have to do this story,'" Marzollo said.

The two went to the academy to visit Pierre and Schaller in person.

"It was thrilling. We went to the aquarium and actually got into where the penguins are," she said, adding that Pierre was better at the time of their visit. "We saw him healthier and happier."

Marzollo, the author of more than 130 books, including the award-winning "I SPY" series for children, will be appearing at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk on Saturday, July 24, where she will read and discuss the story of Pierre.

Even though it is a science-based story, Marzollo said she was never worried, especially given how well it lends itself to rhythm and rhyme.

"Rhythm and rhyme is wonderful for young children. They are all about the world and picking up the language of the world," said Marzollo, who developed her love of rhythm and rhyme from her mother, father and grandmother.

She was also inspired by the rhythm of the phrase "Senior Aquatic Biologist Pam," which is the same as her "I SPY" books. And it was Schaller who sat down with Marzollo to share the story of Pierre.

"She was very good at answering (questions) in a way that children would understand," Marzollo said.

Marzollo was so inspired by the story that she started writing it on Post-It notes, rearranging them on a piece of paper on her flight home from the Academy.

"I wrote the rough draft on the plane on the way home," she said. "That was really fun."

Marzollo and Regan worked back and forth on the project, sharing words and art.

"She was just fantastic. It just clicked," Marzollo said.

Regan was also fast to sing Marzollo's praises.

"Jean's done an amazing job of capturing Pierre's story in an informative yet endearing way," Regan said in an e-mail. "I'm sure the children will really love to meet Jean and hear her read the book. It sounds like it's going to be a wonderful event."

It was Marzollo's publishers who initially contacted the aquarium about hosting a signing. It was then that the staff of the aquarium began to do some investigating into the background of their penguins and discovered that Astro, who is currently living in Norwalk, is, in fact, Pierre's son.

"We didn't make the connection until we started looking into it," said Chris Loynd, marketing director for the aquarium.

During Marzollo's presentation, visitors will get a chance to meet Astro.

"We'll bring Astro out of the exhibit and out on the floor so people will be able to see him up close and personal without the glass," Loynd said.

While Marzollo is reading, "Astro will probably waddle around and do what penguins do," said Loynd.

A Maritime Aquarium biologist will also be on hand to answer questions about African penguins and penguin husbandry.

"It will be a lot of fun," Marzollo said.

Loynd just asks that visitors refrain from petting Astro.

"You wouldn't like it if a bunch of strangers started petting you," he joked.

And, in case anyone is concerned, Astro, unlike his father, has not needed a wet suit.

"We have had some penguins molt and some haven't," Loynd said. "He has not."

While the event aims to entertain families, it also hopes to educate.

"Hopefully (visitors) will come and have a good time, and while having a good time, have a little education," he said.

Marzollo agrees.

"I really hope (the children) have a sense of science. I don't think that's hard for children. It's natural for them to experiment ... It's a process and that's what Pam did," she said. "I'd like them to really be thinking profoundly about science, that they can work in science."

Loynd said he also hopes children will learn about the effects of loss of habitat and overfishing and the importance of conservation..

"These penguins are threatened and about to be put on the endangered species list," he said, adding that the lessons extend beyond the penguins. "These messages all apply to the Long Island Sound."


Author Jean Marzollo will read her new children's book, "Pierre the Penguin: A True Story," at 12:30 and 2 p.m. Saturday, July 24 at Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 North Water St., Norwalk. After each reading, Marzollo will sign copies of the book (available at the aquarium) while Pierre's son, Astro, will be nearby for visitors to see. For more details, visit www.maritimeaquarium.org or call (203) 852-0700.

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