Happy New #BookBirthday Year, friends! As part of the #ZenguinBookBlog tour we’re ushering in 2026 with a calm, peaceful celebration of Danna Smith’s new picture book Zenguin,
illustrated by Sydney Hanson (Workman Kids).
Virtual cake for all!
And yes, you read that calm/peaceful part right.
You know those moments when a peaceful, calm moment would be a dream come true? Well this sweet picture book shows readers young and old, ” …How I feel zen.”
But don’t take my word for it.
A gentle, calming story that shows young readers different ways to stay peaceful in a noisy world.
―School Library Journal
Hanson’s softly lit illustrations have a fuzzy texture that emphasizes the text’s spotlight on self-soothing.―Publishers Weekly
About the author:
Danna (dan -ah) Smith is a poet and Bank Street award-winning children’s author whose board books, novelty books, and picture books include The Thank You Book; Rooftop Garden; Little Golden Books; and The Hawk of the Castle, a Story of Medieval Falconry. She lives in northern California where her writing is inspired by her children and grandchildren, and her love of animals. You may remember her from her double Book Birthday blog celebration of One Blue Gnu and Wake-up Freight Train.
Let’s ask some questions!
Process
Q 1. Welcome back to the blog, Danna. Can you take us through the process after the initial idea sparks? Was there a lot of research involved? Did you pitch it to an editor or your agent? Do you have a critique group? Does your process differ with every book?
Danna Smith: I find that if you really explore a word—turn it inside out and look at all its angles—it can spark the best ideas! That’s exactly how I landed on the title Zenguin. I felt an immediate connection and was so excited to create him, knowing I could then help him (and kids) learn those calming zen practices to guide him through a difficult patch.
Invaluable Critique Group
In 1999, I joined my current critique group at an SCBWI conference in Utah. We initially met in person at the library but transitioned to online meetings after members (including myself, when I moved to California) relocated. This wonderful group of talented writers and illustrators remains invaluable for honing my work . #grateful! 🙂
Embracing the Challenge
Q 2. What was the biggest challenge you had in creating this book?
Danna Smith: I originally wrote this book as a concept board book series. I completed two full board books and fleshed out four ideas for more.
When my agent pitched the series to my editor at Workman Kids, she said she loved the idea of Zenguin, but thought it should be a picture book. She made an offer and then I had the task of rewriting a narrative story which is very different from a board book that introduces concepts.
I love a good challenge, so I embraced her vision!
Surprises and Discoveries
Q 3. What was one of the most surprising discoveries you made in creating this book?
Danna Smith: That’s a great question! While researching the book, I made a fun discovery: the albatross flies non-stop for over a year, without landing! Imagine the sheer endurance and grace required for a journey like that! Even though the albatross didn’t make it into the book, I love those unexpected facts I find during the research process!
Q 4. What surprises did illustrator Sydney Hanson bring to the book?
Danna Smith: It’s a strange process, handing your text over to an illustrator for them to work their magic. You never know what you’re going to see at the end of the process. In the case of Zenguin, Sydney Hanson out did herself!
There are so many fun details like the heart on Zenguin’s chest so we can tell him apart from the other penguins, the blue-toned penguin is a surprise and so cute, and I love how Syndey inserted humor throughout to balance the stressful time Zenguin is going through.
Favorites
Q 5. Which spread is your favorite?
Danna Smith: I really love this page spread where Zenguin asks Blue Whale how he stays so calm. Illustrator, Sydney Hanson’s work is so beautiful and serene!
Takeaways
Q 6. What do you hope readers will take away after reading Zenguin?
Danna Smith: I hope young readers will understand that anxiety is a normal feeling that we all have sometimes but there are things we can learn to help us work through this big feeling.
New Year’s Resolutions
Q 7. If Penguin made a New Year’s Resolution, what might it be?
Danna Smith (and Penguin): To find peace and joy in the world around us and to show gratitude for kind friends.
I feel better already. Don’t you?
*Leave your resolution in the comments below.– or post it on your socials with the hashtag #ZenguinBookBlog.
Endless gratitude to Danna Smith for joining us on the blog today.
And I know I can’t wait to pair Zenguin with my upcoming SEL + Art book.
coming April 7, 2026
We LOVE this Zenguin suggestion: “Draw your feelings.”
To learn more about Danna Smith and her books,
check out the other posts on her #ZenguinBookBlog tour,
Danna’s web site DannaSmithBooks.com,
and follow her Poetry Blog: PoetryPop.com
and social media:
Instagram dannasmitbooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/danna209/
Read, Breathe, and Spread the Word.
Happy New #BookBlog Year to all!
Up next:
We celebrate the Book Birthday of This Hair Belongs
(Illus. Erin K. Robinson / Astra Young Readers)
with award-winning author JaNay Brown Wood.
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