PEN

Role: Our Antarctica Emperor penguin chick is the main hero of the Madykazoo & Me adventure stories. The misfits rely on PEN to find solutions to their dilemmas. Description/Unique Distinct Features: PEN has soft black down feathers, and strange orange markings around its cheeks and chest. To add to the horror, PEN is spotted with freckles!

Backstory: The new, funny-looking spotted penguin stood shyly looking down at the murky water of the zoo’s Antarctica tank exhibit. The other penguins were swimming, jumping, playing—keeping their distance from the new penguin. Zookeepers worried the newcomer was not adjusting, and decided to move it to a new zoo. On the way, the transport vehicle hit a big pothole and the temporary water bucket carrying the penguin fell off, spilling its contents, including the penguin. Startled, the penguin watched as the vehicle drove off unaware it lost its precious cargo. The penguin waddled into the forest and came across a pond. “Hmmm,” it thought.” What is this?” PEN put one toe in the icy cold water and immediately dove in head-first, breaking the smooth surface of the water. It was so refreshing, the penguin swam, jumped and twisted in glee. The last go-round, it dove deeper than ever, and jumped higher than ever, gleefully twirling in the air, when suddenly it found itself plopped on a very long neck of an ostrich. The penguin slid down the neck and found itself buried in soft, warm feathers—and so began its journey into the extraordinary.

Magical Powers: PEN’s power is not spell or charm, but the rarest magic of all: the trust of its companions. Through that bond, PEN becomes the hero who shapes the outcome of the journeys in Madykazoo. Signature behavior: When faced with a challenge, PEN paces thoughtfully, its mind whirring with ideas. The moment inspiration strikes—ROO the kangaroo sidekick— leaps into action, producing from its magic pouch exactly what the Madykazoo misfits need to succeed.