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Wisdom, the Midway Albatross: Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and other Disasters for over 60 Years
The oldest wild bird in the world, documented with banding, is Wisdom, the Midway Albatross. She was on Midway when the Japanese Tsunami hit and this is her amazing story of survival of manmade and natural disasters for over 60 years. She has survived the dangers of living wild, plastic pollution, longline fishing, lead poisoning, and the Japanese earthquake. At 60, she’s still laying eggs and hatching chicks. It’s a story of survival and hope amidst the difficulties of life.
http://wisdom.darcypattison.com
http://wisdom.darcypattison.com
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2012
2 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Darcy Pattison
131 books117 followersDARCY PATTISON (www.darcypattison.com) is published in ten languages.
Children’s book author Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book, Junior Library Guild selections, and NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature.
Children’s book author Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book, Junior Library Guild selections, and NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 20, 2012
If I had a better knowledge of my nonfiction children's history then I might be able to tell you the exact moment that biographies of individual animals took off. Technically we've seen them for years, in books like the Newbery Honor winning Rascal (which is considered nonfiction in spite of some creative liberties) from 1963. The picture book animal biography feels comparatively new to me. I think they may have existed in spurts here and there but in the last ten years there's been a veritable explosion of them on the scene. This is a very good thing. When done well a good animal bio can provide insight into an otherwise unapproachable species, foster concern beyond our own human lives, and give a glimpse into the wider natural world. True to life incredible journeys of wild animals are difficult to tell, though. If the animal is truly wild then how do you extrapolate its life without relying on fantasy and conjecture? Wisdom: The Midway Albatross offers at least one solution to that question. Add history to facts to the glorious innovation of banding wild animals and you have yourself a bird bio that's easy to distinguish from the flock.
The life of your average everyday laysan albatross is not often a happy one. Particularly if you have had the monumentally bad luck to have been born around 1950. Having survived the trials of growing up, avoiding sharks, and even a 1952 tsunami, one little albatross lived and was banded by research scientists in the year 1956. After that time she had to survive tropical storms, delicious looking floating plastic and fishing lines until she was caught again (by the same scientist, no less) in 2002. Having survived all that, was she capable of living past the Japanese tsunami of 2011? Pattison follows the bird's life closely, ending her book with facts about Wisdom (calling her "The Oldest Bird in the World", which would have been my choice of title) as well as info on your average laysan albatross, and useful websites for further reading.
It's more than just the story of one small bird and more than just some informational text about the life cycle of an albatross. Under Pattison's hand Wisdom's tale takes on an almost epic cycle. You start out thinking that this is just your average animal adventure and by the end you're wondering how much we even understand about the natural world. If a lucky albatross, avoiding every seaborne calamity on record, can live at least to the age of sixty-one and continue to breed and brood, what other animals are blessed with such longevity? If there's any problem at all it might be that Pattison repeats the refrain of "Somehow Gooney survived" almost too often. The temptation to do so is understandable but I worried that the momentous weight of that survival didn't feel quite as powerful when heard so often.
While Pattison is known for her other books in the children's literary sphere, artist Kitty Harvill's work remains largely unknown. A wildlife artist and conservationist, Harvill's watercolors in this book serve the words more than the other way around. They leave a good amount of space for the text, avoiding the pitfalls of some artists unfamiliar with the picture book world that slap white space and text on one page and an image on the other. One point that made me curious was how Harvill chose to deal with Pattison's suppositions. We can extrapolate Wisdom's life by knowing both our history of the region as well as the perils facing the bird's kind. And while the author utilizes the word "somehow" very cleverly in the phrases that explain that she survived, Harvill accompanies these with images of pairs of birds. In many cases one albatross will fall prey to fishing lines or plastic treats while the other abstains. But since we are not specifically pointing to one of those birds and calling her "Wisdom", the book gets away with it (and, I should note, never really shows any birds dying of sharks or storms, etc.).
It's a book with a very small press, one going by the name of Mims House. When independent publishers create children's literature the results are invariably mixed. In this particular case I was encouraged by the writing (and my familiarity with the author), the art to a certain extent, and the design. Though paperback, the paper quality is not bad. However I was a little disappointed in the font and layout. Though the text is expertly laid onto the images, weaving in and out of the pictures with ease, the font itself looks like something you might find in a child's school report. I'm not entirely certain whether it's the style or the size or a combination of the two, but whatever the case it's a misleadingly poor element in what stands as a rather cool informational text.
I don't usually go so far as to praise the blurbs of a book, but in this case. I'll make an exception. Some clever soul not only thought to get the wise words of Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson (who penned her own nonfiction picture book Two Bobbies A True Story of Hurricane Katrina Friendship and Survival) but also retired Senior Scientist Chandler S. Robbins. Now it sometimes doesn't take much to get a scientist to blurb a picture book and normally my eyes glaze over about the time we see a degree appear, but in this particular case Robbins is an exceptional get since he's the very guy who banded the bird back in 1956 in the first place. His words have an almost philosophical ring to them as well. He says at one point, "While I have grown old and gray and get around with the use of a cane, Wisdom still looks and acts just the same as the day I banded her." Truth. Stranger than fiction.
As I mentioned before, had I been in charge of this book I would have gone whole hog and named it "Wisdom: The Oldest Bird in the World" or something along those lines. As it stands, Pattison has uncovered one heckuva story. I can say with certainty that no child has ever walked up to my library's children's reference desk asking for nonfiction albatross books for pleasure reading, but for those kids assigned animal bios (it happens), easy nonfiction reads, or just books on birds in general, I now know exactly what it is I'm going to want to hand them. A keeper, you bet.
For ages 4-8.
The life of your average everyday laysan albatross is not often a happy one. Particularly if you have had the monumentally bad luck to have been born around 1950. Having survived the trials of growing up, avoiding sharks, and even a 1952 tsunami, one little albatross lived and was banded by research scientists in the year 1956. After that time she had to survive tropical storms, delicious looking floating plastic and fishing lines until she was caught again (by the same scientist, no less) in 2002. Having survived all that, was she capable of living past the Japanese tsunami of 2011? Pattison follows the bird's life closely, ending her book with facts about Wisdom (calling her "The Oldest Bird in the World", which would have been my choice of title) as well as info on your average laysan albatross, and useful websites for further reading.
It's more than just the story of one small bird and more than just some informational text about the life cycle of an albatross. Under Pattison's hand Wisdom's tale takes on an almost epic cycle. You start out thinking that this is just your average animal adventure and by the end you're wondering how much we even understand about the natural world. If a lucky albatross, avoiding every seaborne calamity on record, can live at least to the age of sixty-one and continue to breed and brood, what other animals are blessed with such longevity? If there's any problem at all it might be that Pattison repeats the refrain of "Somehow Gooney survived" almost too often. The temptation to do so is understandable but I worried that the momentous weight of that survival didn't feel quite as powerful when heard so often.
While Pattison is known for her other books in the children's literary sphere, artist Kitty Harvill's work remains largely unknown. A wildlife artist and conservationist, Harvill's watercolors in this book serve the words more than the other way around. They leave a good amount of space for the text, avoiding the pitfalls of some artists unfamiliar with the picture book world that slap white space and text on one page and an image on the other. One point that made me curious was how Harvill chose to deal with Pattison's suppositions. We can extrapolate Wisdom's life by knowing both our history of the region as well as the perils facing the bird's kind. And while the author utilizes the word "somehow" very cleverly in the phrases that explain that she survived, Harvill accompanies these with images of pairs of birds. In many cases one albatross will fall prey to fishing lines or plastic treats while the other abstains. But since we are not specifically pointing to one of those birds and calling her "Wisdom", the book gets away with it (and, I should note, never really shows any birds dying of sharks or storms, etc.).
It's a book with a very small press, one going by the name of Mims House. When independent publishers create children's literature the results are invariably mixed. In this particular case I was encouraged by the writing (and my familiarity with the author), the art to a certain extent, and the design. Though paperback, the paper quality is not bad. However I was a little disappointed in the font and layout. Though the text is expertly laid onto the images, weaving in and out of the pictures with ease, the font itself looks like something you might find in a child's school report. I'm not entirely certain whether it's the style or the size or a combination of the two, but whatever the case it's a misleadingly poor element in what stands as a rather cool informational text.
I don't usually go so far as to praise the blurbs of a book, but in this case. I'll make an exception. Some clever soul not only thought to get the wise words of Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson (who penned her own nonfiction picture book Two Bobbies A True Story of Hurricane Katrina Friendship and Survival) but also retired Senior Scientist Chandler S. Robbins. Now it sometimes doesn't take much to get a scientist to blurb a picture book and normally my eyes glaze over about the time we see a degree appear, but in this particular case Robbins is an exceptional get since he's the very guy who banded the bird back in 1956 in the first place. His words have an almost philosophical ring to them as well. He says at one point, "While I have grown old and gray and get around with the use of a cane, Wisdom still looks and acts just the same as the day I banded her." Truth. Stranger than fiction.
As I mentioned before, had I been in charge of this book I would have gone whole hog and named it "Wisdom: The Oldest Bird in the World" or something along those lines. As it stands, Pattison has uncovered one heckuva story. I can say with certainty that no child has ever walked up to my library's children's reference desk asking for nonfiction albatross books for pleasure reading, but for those kids assigned animal bios (it happens), easy nonfiction reads, or just books on birds in general, I now know exactly what it is I'm going to want to hand them. A keeper, you bet.
For ages 4-8.
March 2, 2012
How does a bird in the middle of the Pacific Ocean survive the 2011 Japanese tsunami and other dangers for over 60 years? No one really knows, but we do know for sure that Wisdom--the oldest known wild bird in the world--has.
This book introduces young readers to a single very special member of a largely unfamiliar species, the Laysan Albatross. Through this riveting survival story we not only grow to care about Wisdom herself, we also learn about the life cycle, habitat, and behavior of her kind. We see the many dangers they face, both natural and man-made. We learn how scientists are carefully studying them. And we cheer for the particularly resilient gooney bird who is eventually dubbed Wisdom.
Pattison does a great job of incorporating rhythm and repetition to make this an excellent choice for young readers and read alouds, and Harvill's art is both beautiful and detailed, adding to the story and bringing Wisdom to life on every page. Children will be quickly swept up in the drama and suspense of Wisdom's trials and will keep reading (or listening) to find out what happens to her next. Then, they'll sigh with relief at the happy ending when Wisdom--somehow--still survives.
The book also includes acknowledgements, a Facts About Wisdom section, The Oldest Bird in the World timeline, a Typical Year for a Laysan Albatross timeline, a further reading list, and sections about both the author and illustrator. In addition, there's a blog (http://albatross.darcypattison.com) with lots of videos, pictures, and additional resources for students and teachers.
Yes, after reading this, I just had to become Facebook friends with Wisdom herself. Search for Wisdom A. Laysan Albatross if you want to Friend her, too.
This book introduces young readers to a single very special member of a largely unfamiliar species, the Laysan Albatross. Through this riveting survival story we not only grow to care about Wisdom herself, we also learn about the life cycle, habitat, and behavior of her kind. We see the many dangers they face, both natural and man-made. We learn how scientists are carefully studying them. And we cheer for the particularly resilient gooney bird who is eventually dubbed Wisdom.
Pattison does a great job of incorporating rhythm and repetition to make this an excellent choice for young readers and read alouds, and Harvill's art is both beautiful and detailed, adding to the story and bringing Wisdom to life on every page. Children will be quickly swept up in the drama and suspense of Wisdom's trials and will keep reading (or listening) to find out what happens to her next. Then, they'll sigh with relief at the happy ending when Wisdom--somehow--still survives.
The book also includes acknowledgements, a Facts About Wisdom section, The Oldest Bird in the World timeline, a Typical Year for a Laysan Albatross timeline, a further reading list, and sections about both the author and illustrator. In addition, there's a blog (http://albatross.darcypattison.com) with lots of videos, pictures, and additional resources for students and teachers.
Yes, after reading this, I just had to become Facebook friends with Wisdom herself. Search for Wisdom A. Laysan Albatross if you want to Friend her, too.
March 10, 2012
Wow, what a neat book for all ages! Kids will love the pictures and few words on the page and adults will be inspired by the bird who keeps on surviving... Great family book!
October 19, 2020
The story of the world's oldest banded bird is told in this captivating picture book. For nearly 70 years, Wisdom the albatross has avoided the ocean's many perils and raised dozens and dozens of chicks. Great book for the budding scientist/nature lover!
August 24, 2018
WOW! This wild bird has been banded for 60 years and having chicks for most of that time! Fantastic story and a touching look at the Laysan Albatross through following one old bird.
July 15, 2021
A true story of an albatross with a knack for survival against the devastations of the natural and human world. My kids and I both enjoyed learning about this special bird.
April 22, 2012
On December10, 1956, early in my first visit to Midway, I banded 99 incubating Laysan Albatrosses in the ‘downtown’ area of Sand Island, Midway. Wisdom (band number 587-51945), is still alive, healthy, and incubating again in December of 2011. While I have grown old and gray and get around only with the use of a cane, Wisdom still looks and acts just the same as on the day I banded her . . . remarkable true story . . . beautifully illustrated in color. –Chandler S. Robbins, Sc.D, Senior Scientist (Retired), USGS Patuxent Wildllife Research Center, Laurel, MD
Wisdom is a Laysan Albatross, a wild bird from the Hawaiian Island of Laysan, about 800 miles northwest of Honolulu. Laysan is a low laying sand island, very important as a breeding ground for Hawaiian monk seals and several species of sea birds, including the albatross. Wisdom was first banded by scientists in 1956, but no one knows for sure when she was born. Wisdom is a tough bird. She has weathered earthquakes that caused tsunamis,’ tropical storms, thunderstorms, hurricanes, and man-made dangers such as plastics and fishing lines. In 2011, Wisdom, at age 61, laid her thirty-fifth egg. Her chick is apparently as tough a bird as its mother. When a terrible storm washed ashore 110,000 chicks and 2,000 adults died. Wisdom’s chick survived.
This is one heck of a story. Wisdom seems to be Super Bird having survived all of the dangers of living in the Pacific Ocean—or rather soaring above it. The author has done extensive research on Wisdom, speaking with those who actually monitored albatrosses from Laysan. The story reads like a biography, but without the red-herrings. This book will be a wonderful resource for the elementary grades. There is so much to learn about the oldest known bird in the Pacific Ocean. Wisdom, the Mid-way Albatross is a story of sheer determination.
The illustrations are excellent at capturing the beauty of the region. I love the double spread of Wisdom soaring above the ocean. To think she soared for five or six years is simply remarkable. On the cover, Wisdom pops right out at you, thanks to a black background. This cover will be easy to find on any bookshelf. Between the author and the illustrator, Wisdom, the Mid-way Albatross is a stunning story of one bird’s life journey against seemingly insurmountable natural and artificial disasters. Wisdom is not only a wonderful resource for elementary schools, it is interesting reading for adults, such as myself, who learned so much from the text, the references in the back, and all the side journeys from wanting to know more about the region and the birds. A smart student is going to take these interesting facts and exciting story and turn them into an A+ book report.
note: received book from the author, Darcy Pattison
Originally reviewed on Kid Lit Reviews:
http://kid-lit-reviews.com/2012/03/27...
Wisdom is a Laysan Albatross, a wild bird from the Hawaiian Island of Laysan, about 800 miles northwest of Honolulu. Laysan is a low laying sand island, very important as a breeding ground for Hawaiian monk seals and several species of sea birds, including the albatross. Wisdom was first banded by scientists in 1956, but no one knows for sure when she was born. Wisdom is a tough bird. She has weathered earthquakes that caused tsunamis,’ tropical storms, thunderstorms, hurricanes, and man-made dangers such as plastics and fishing lines. In 2011, Wisdom, at age 61, laid her thirty-fifth egg. Her chick is apparently as tough a bird as its mother. When a terrible storm washed ashore 110,000 chicks and 2,000 adults died. Wisdom’s chick survived.
This is one heck of a story. Wisdom seems to be Super Bird having survived all of the dangers of living in the Pacific Ocean—or rather soaring above it. The author has done extensive research on Wisdom, speaking with those who actually monitored albatrosses from Laysan. The story reads like a biography, but without the red-herrings. This book will be a wonderful resource for the elementary grades. There is so much to learn about the oldest known bird in the Pacific Ocean. Wisdom, the Mid-way Albatross is a story of sheer determination.
The illustrations are excellent at capturing the beauty of the region. I love the double spread of Wisdom soaring above the ocean. To think she soared for five or six years is simply remarkable. On the cover, Wisdom pops right out at you, thanks to a black background. This cover will be easy to find on any bookshelf. Between the author and the illustrator, Wisdom, the Mid-way Albatross is a stunning story of one bird’s life journey against seemingly insurmountable natural and artificial disasters. Wisdom is not only a wonderful resource for elementary schools, it is interesting reading for adults, such as myself, who learned so much from the text, the references in the back, and all the side journeys from wanting to know more about the region and the birds. A smart student is going to take these interesting facts and exciting story and turn them into an A+ book report.
note: received book from the author, Darcy Pattison
Originally reviewed on Kid Lit Reviews:
http://kid-lit-reviews.com/2012/03/27...
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February 1, 2012My new book is just out. Here's recent praise for the book.
“It's marvelous! I LOVE it! And I got a lump in my throat, tears! And I'm a biologist! Your book is beautiful, meaningful, simple, elegant.........thank you for caring, thank you for sharing this story!”
Kim Rivera, National Seabird Coordinator, NOAA Fisheries, Deputy ARA, Protected Resources Division, Alaska Region
“Wisdom’s story makes my heart soar.”
Kirby Larson, author of Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival and Winner of the Newbery Honor for Hattie Big Sky.
“On December 10, 1956, early in my first visit to Midway, I banded 99 incubating Laysan Albatrosses in the ‘downtown’ area of Sand Island, Midway. Wisdom (band number 587-51945) is still alive, healthy, and incubating again in December 2011. While I have grown old and gray and get around only with the use of a cane, Wisdom still looks and acts just the same as on the day I banded her. . . remarkable true story. . . beautifully illustrated in color.”
Chandler S. Robbins, Sc.D, Senior Scientist (Retired), USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.
“As both a seabird conservationist and a mom to young kids, I highly recommend Wisdom, the Midway Albatross. Wisdom’s true story of survival is exciting and artist Kitty Harvill brings her to life in illustrations that are beautiful and accurate. Having worked to protect these magnificent creatures, I find it wonderful to be able to share their story through this book!”
Jessica Hardesty Norris, Ph.D., Seabird Program Director, American Bird Conservancy
“It's marvelous! I LOVE it! And I got a lump in my throat, tears! And I'm a biologist! Your book is beautiful, meaningful, simple, elegant.........thank you for caring, thank you for sharing this story!”
Kim Rivera, National Seabird Coordinator, NOAA Fisheries, Deputy ARA, Protected Resources Division, Alaska Region
“Wisdom’s story makes my heart soar.”
Kirby Larson, author of Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival and Winner of the Newbery Honor for Hattie Big Sky.
“On December 10, 1956, early in my first visit to Midway, I banded 99 incubating Laysan Albatrosses in the ‘downtown’ area of Sand Island, Midway. Wisdom (band number 587-51945) is still alive, healthy, and incubating again in December 2011. While I have grown old and gray and get around only with the use of a cane, Wisdom still looks and acts just the same as on the day I banded her. . . remarkable true story. . . beautifully illustrated in color.”
Chandler S. Robbins, Sc.D, Senior Scientist (Retired), USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.
“As both a seabird conservationist and a mom to young kids, I highly recommend Wisdom, the Midway Albatross. Wisdom’s true story of survival is exciting and artist Kitty Harvill brings her to life in illustrations that are beautiful and accurate. Having worked to protect these magnificent creatures, I find it wonderful to be able to share their story through this book!”
Jessica Hardesty Norris, Ph.D., Seabird Program Director, American Bird Conservancy
December 29, 2012
Gooney is an albatross who lived on an island. Gooney survived many things such as sharks and a tsunami. She finally mated and had a chick of her own. A scientist found her and put a band on her leg so they could keep track of her. Throughout her life thunderstorms, tropical storms and hurricanes threatened her and she survived. When many albatrosses died from eating plastic floating in the water Gooney survived by not eating it. She managed to not get tangled like so many others in discarded fishing lines. She was banded again and was given the name wisdom because she had lived over 50 years. She had a chick each year. In 2011 she had a chick and a big storm came and washed many of the chicks away. Wisdom and her chick survived. She is known as the oldest living albatross. The author not only tells a great story about an actual event, she has done a tremendous amount of research. Check out her book and learn about the research she has done and this wonderful bird
June 6, 2013
My Ratings:
Overall: 5.0 Stars
Cover: 5 Stars
Illustrations: 5 Stars
Story: 5 Stars
This book is about Wisdom, who is a Laysan Albatross over 60 years old! A story of miraculous survival against natural and man-made disaster, this mostly true tale and its beautiful illustrations keeps children interested while they learn some science. I enjoyed reading it and so did my 5 and 8 year old children.
Author Darcy Pattison has pieced together this story for Wisdom, backed up by leg bands first attached on December 10, 1965. Once we read this story we headed to the computer to look up more facts about Wisdom. We found pictures!! Be sure to check out the US Fish and Wildlife Site and you'll see her latest chick. I told my children Wisdom was real, but when they saw the pictures that sealed the reality for them. I'm so glad Darcy took the time to write this book--Wisdom's tender story deserves a wide audience!
Overall: 5.0 Stars
Cover: 5 Stars
Illustrations: 5 Stars
Story: 5 Stars
This book is about Wisdom, who is a Laysan Albatross over 60 years old! A story of miraculous survival against natural and man-made disaster, this mostly true tale and its beautiful illustrations keeps children interested while they learn some science. I enjoyed reading it and so did my 5 and 8 year old children.
Author Darcy Pattison has pieced together this story for Wisdom, backed up by leg bands first attached on December 10, 1965. Once we read this story we headed to the computer to look up more facts about Wisdom. We found pictures!! Be sure to check out the US Fish and Wildlife Site and you'll see her latest chick. I told my children Wisdom was real, but when they saw the pictures that sealed the reality for them. I'm so glad Darcy took the time to write this book--Wisdom's tender story deserves a wide audience!
February 22, 2012
As an educator and librarian, I am constantly searching for books that will feed my hungry readers -boys and girls. Wisdom is perfect for the task. I have two libraries that I am responsible for making purchases for. K-4 and 5-8. Ms. Pattison's book is the ideal read not only for the facts surrounding Wisdom, the Midway Albatross, but because of the format of the book. The pictures are phenomenal and the story unfolds in such a way that it draws my students (even the relunctant readers) into the storyline immediately. This book will touch your heart and leave footprints on your memory. Love it. We could all learn lessons of wisdom from this amazing creature. Thank you, Ms. Pattison.
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October 14, 2014Darcy Pattison came to my school. My name is Joanne and the book Wisdom and Abayomi is a book i really want. Mrs. Pattison if i ever order with my mom can you please sign it them give????
Animals are something i love. If i can i want to be a scientist. Not a scientist that invents but either a scientist that can study special animals or something that studies nature, rocks, or space, ect. I also love reading books about fantasy. But the fantasy has to be about animals or dragons. I would love your books. I wish u could come to Lisa or Robinson. ( going to 6th rade next year)You write great books. I want to meet you again.
THANK YOU!:-)
Animals are something i love. If i can i want to be a scientist. Not a scientist that invents but either a scientist that can study special animals or something that studies nature, rocks, or space, ect. I also love reading books about fantasy. But the fantasy has to be about animals or dragons. I would love your books. I wish u could come to Lisa or Robinson. ( going to 6th rade next year)You write great books. I want to meet you again.
THANK YOU!:-)
May 7, 2012
I almost cried reading Wisdom: The Midway Albatross. I'm going to partly blame it on the hormones. I'm also going to blame it on this touching story of survival. (Did I really just call something a "touching story"?). This story is a non-fiction picture book. The writing and art are great. Darcy Pattison and Kitty Harvill tell the story of Wisdom, an albatross that is over 60 years old! Wisdom survives fishing lines, earthquakes and tsunamis, include the one that devastated Japan last year. It was emotional and beautifully brought to life by Pattison and Harvill.
September 27, 2012
Interesting story of an extraordinarily long-lived albatross scientists call Wisdom. The repeated refrain of "somehow, Wisdom survived" got a little old. Of course, I understand that that's really all the author could say, since scientists have no idea how the bird managed to survive dangers and for so long.
Not sure where it would fit into the curriculum, but if you know an elementary kid who really loves birds and science, hand 'em this.
Not sure where it would fit into the curriculum, but if you know an elementary kid who really loves birds and science, hand 'em this.
March 24, 2014
This true story for children about an Albatross named Gooney gives us a glimpse into the life of what is called The Oldest Bird in the World. Scientists found Gooney and put a band on her leg in 1956, but when they found her again in 2002 they realized she was then 51 years old. It was then they named her Wisdom.
Wisdom lived most of her life at Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. She defied the odds and lived to be…well you’ll have to read Darcy Pattison’s book to find out.
Wisdom lived most of her life at Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. She defied the odds and lived to be…well you’ll have to read Darcy Pattison’s book to find out.
August 10, 2016
I received this book as a Free Read from Good Reads. The Artwork in the book is beautiful. The story is cute as well. I think my daughter will enjoy reading it to her daycare class. It is both educational, and relevant to a coastal area like the one we live in.
March 4, 2012
A story that tells the monumental story of a single bird--becausebfield research by bird-loving scientists discovered her by observing and recording--my favorite parts of science.
March 10, 2012
this was an awesome true story about a bird surviving the worst. it is in simple terms for the youngest to understand and has great pictures
June 7, 2016
Albatrosses are SO interesting. Unfortunately this book wasn't so interesting except that this particular bird was old. Hmmm.
July 27, 2016
Hoping for more stories like Wisdom's around the world and throughout the animal kingdom. Well told.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews