Algoa Bay's African Penguins Feature in Children's Book
By Karen Keeton
Thursday, 25th September 2025Children’s author and illustrator Shelagh Fairbank features Algoa Bay and the endangered African Penguin in her third book of her Bobbins’ Magical Adventures series. Wonderful, happy illustrations and a lovely story.
Jake recently had the pleasure of meeting Shelagh and receiving copies of her delightful story about Bobbin and the penguins of Algoa Bay for the Raggy Charters family to enjoy.
A wonderful blend of fun and learning for children — follow Bobbin’s journey in Books 1 to 3!
To get your copy click the image:
What Inspired Shelagh to write about the African Pegnuin:
“The Penguins that stole my heart”
by Shelagh Fairbank, Author & Illustrator of Bobbin’s Adventure Books
“This little bird changed my life. I never planned to write a book about penguins.”
“While travelling through South Africa many years ago, I stumbled upon a little colony of African penguins at Boulders Beach…
so playful and curious — just like children really.”
“They were so full of life, I couldn’t stop watching them. Something about them stayed with me.”
“Years later, as I was about to start my third children’s book, penguins re-appeared… this time on holiday on a beach in South America. I was fascinated again watching the younger ones diving bravely into the waves, and the older ones, looking quite miserable, waiting for their new feathers to grow, so they could go out swimming too.”
“Then, a few bold ones started following us… as if wanting to say,
‘Hey, where are you going?’ That’s when I knew that my next book just had to be about penguins.”
“While researching the South African penguin, Algoa Bay kept popping up as the best place to find them. And I discovered that thousands of these spirited little birds live nearby on Bird Island — alongside some very noisy Cape Gannets.
All I can say, is those penguins can definitely keep-up in a shouting match!”
“So my latest book shares all their stories through the eyes of a little elf, on a mission to find all the different types of penguins
around the world, even the blue ones.”
“May these stories inspire children, and grown-ups alike, to fall in love with these plucky, little birds — just as I did.”
“Thank you and HEE-HAW! from the African Jackass
and I hope you get chance to watch the penguins play out there in Algoa Bay.”
a sneak peek.. get your copy today!
THE FULL SERIES:
AND Some fun for the children: How to draw an African Penguin:
The Penguins that feature in the book:
