The Pondus Penguin

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The Pondus Penguin refers to a mascot used on several Canadian messenger bags around 2005. The bags can still be found randomly among Canadian dollar stores and bargain bins. The bag is a merchandise item that was spun off from a notable Danish children's book, Pondus the Penguin, written and illustrated by Ivar Myrhøj in 1966. Myrhøj published a total of four books about Pondus the Penguin, all issued between 1966 and 1969.[1]. Pondus also serves as a mascot for the Danish bank, Danske Bank, where Pondus-shaped piggy banks have been given to children since 1967.[2]

Myrhøj's inspiration for Pondus was a King Penguin living in the Copenhagen Zoo. Two bronze statues of Pondus exist in Denmark, one located in the Copenhagen Zoo, and one on the pedestrian street in Fredericia.[3]