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Loon
The haunting call of a loon is quintessential summertime for many people. These majestically beautiful birds breed on northern lakes during the spring and summer, and when fall arrives, they migrate to open coastal waters. Young loons stay on the ocean for three or four years until they mature and their gray feathers molt, turning to the beautiful black-and-white patterned feathers by which they are known. At this point they return to an inland lake to find a mate and have their young.
This gorgeously illustrated prose poem follows two baby chicks through this cycle. We witness their birth, and how they learn to swim, find food and avoid predators such as snapping turtles and big bass, and the possible danger of boaters. In the fall they imitate their parents as they learn to fly and are eventually large and strong enough to make their own migration to the coast.
An afterword supplies other interesting facts about the common loon, which some scientists believe has inhabited lakes and oceans for millions of years. It describes these birds’ amazing diving ability, their four different calls, and the different factors that threaten them, such as loss of habitat due to human proximity and environmental problems (acid rain, deadly toxins in lakes, oil spills and global warming), suggesting different ways that we might help to protect them.
This gorgeously illustrated prose poem follows two baby chicks through this cycle. We witness their birth, and how they learn to swim, find food and avoid predators such as snapping turtles and big bass, and the possible danger of boaters. In the fall they imitate their parents as they learn to fly and are eventually large and strong enough to make their own migration to the coast.
An afterword supplies other interesting facts about the common loon, which some scientists believe has inhabited lakes and oceans for millions of years. It describes these birds’ amazing diving ability, their four different calls, and the different factors that threaten them, such as loss of habitat due to human proximity and environmental problems (acid rain, deadly toxins in lakes, oil spills and global warming), suggesting different ways that we might help to protect them.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published August 9, 2011
2 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 17, 2011
With beautiful language and exceptionally detailed acrylic illustrations, the life cycle of a loon is described from the two chicks' hatching in June to their preparation years later for their own nest and their own chicks. Many of the word choices help readers visualize the water birds; for example, "The chicks copy their papa/ as he pokes, picks and preens,/ oiling, arranging his feathers/ to keep them waterproof and neat" (unpaginated) and "...a first-ever bird's eye view/ of their large birth lake" (unpaginated). One of my favorite illustrations shows the loons high in the air as they leave the lake for warmer climes as the fall foliage rims the huge lake. Backmatter includes additional information on the loons and some of the threats to their continued survival.
December 28, 2011
Beautiful illustrations, lyrical text (sometimes distracting from the information).
Learned something new - juvenile loons spend several years at sea before becoming adults!
Learned something new - juvenile loons spend several years at sea before becoming adults!
April 7, 2023
In late June, two baby loons are born. The two chicks explore life on the lake, paddling around the cold spring water and searching for a ride from Mama and Papa. As they sail around the lake on their parents’ backs all summer long, they get to see all the other animals living above and below the water. By winter, they must learn to take flight to warmer ocean weather. When they are ready to have children, they will fly back to a small lake, just like their parents did! This informational picture book’s detailed and soft illustrations of landscape and animals show the beauty of a loon’s life. Griek’s poetic prose is as majestic as the birds.
September 25, 2020
Excellent.
June 17, 2025
A beautiful picture book about the common loon.
August 12, 2025
A vivid description of the Loon and its habitat, lifestyle and breeding, and survival skills. Very informative for the beginner or water bird enthusiast.
October 9, 2011
"It is a birth day, a late June day, a baby loon's first day." This book explains the life cycle of the loon in lyrical images and accurate factual details. Additional information about the Common Loon is included in the back.
December 26, 2011
This was a fascinating book on loons with fabulous illustrations and information on this wonderful bird.
May 18, 2012
Nice illustrations. Very heavy on text/very informative about loons.
October 9, 2012
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January 31, 2013
Beautiful picture book that teaches about the life of loons! I will defintiely recommend this one at work!
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March 13, 2013I loved the details and expression in the book!
June 25, 2013
I thought I was familiar with loons, having grown up in northwestern Ontario, but I learned so many interesting things about the birds from this book. The artwork is stunning.
October 13, 2015
Visually gorgeous book with wonderful writing on being a loon, the dangers, the graces and all through sweet little poems. A great book to introduce the loon.
December 27, 2011
Beautiful paintings.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews