Nights of the Pufflings

by Bruce McMillan

On a tiny island off the coast of Iceland, Halla and her friends wait with anticipation. Every spring, millions of puffins, the clowns of the sea, return to nest, lay eggs, and raise their chicks to pufflings. That means Halla and her friends will be busy in August when the pufflings venture out at night to take their first flight. Then, all of the children stay out all night, too. During the nights of the pufflings they rescue thousands of stranded young birds, and in the daytime set them safely free at the beach. In Nights of the Pufflings, Bruce McMillan captures the unique and endearing story of an island tradition.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens, Birds, Nature

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're doing a project about Iceland, so we really enjoyed this look at the lives of puffins and how they interact with some of the people of Iceland. Although it's 20 years old, it doesn't feel too dated and I assume it would still be relevant for today. I like how it shows the life cycle of the puffin through children's eyes, and highlights the ways that children help and protect pufflings who don't make it to the sea on their first attempt.

[madly · Rating 5 out of 5]

a childhood favorite - such a sweet book!!! so glad to have found it again ♡

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every spring on an island in Iceland, schoolchildren await the arrival of the puffins. This is the time of the year when the puffins come in from sea to have their babies. Their babies are called pufflings, and when they are big enough they out to sea. The problem being that some of them get confused! This is where the schoolchildren come into play. The schoolchildren stay up late and save the puffins that do not make it out to sea. Notably absent from the photo essay is the presence of adults- this is a job for the children of the island! The author has previous books that were awarded the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children, and he provides a bibliography as well as a more detailed synopsis of the bird at the conclusion of his story. The information is presented in a linear fashion, with photographs that relate directly to the text.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable! Such a great island tradition! McMillan gives a concise age appropriate account of the life cycle of N Atlantic puffins and their breeding season and how the islander kids help for two weeks getting the puffins off to a start on their adult life. The photos are adorable and lovely and the text fascinating. So is the back matter that gives brief info for reports. Definitely recommended!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice introduction to Iceland and Puffins and island tradition of rescuing Pufflings and helping them survive their first night and make it out to the ocean.

(Confused on how double ls equal double ts and one l Halla (HATTL lah)

Fun read for me since I have been to Heimaey, though just during nesting.

[Daniel Pool · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was absolutely not prepared for how good this was and immediately started scouring our library and the Internet for more Bruce McMillan books. HIGHLY recommended.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing annual tradition in Iceland! Children running through the darkness with cardboard boxes and flashlights to give puffin youngsters a second chance at flight and a long life.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

great elementary non fiction book. short sentences and paragraphs with colorful pictures. also a few Icelandic words. the back is for more information and upper elementary - could be used for research

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This true story is illustrated with spectacular photography. On a tiny island off the coast of Iceland, every spring and summer millions of puffins raise their chicks. When it is time for the pufflings to fly many do not make it to the water in their first attempt to fly. The local children participate during the night, for two weeks, in rescuing the little birds and setting them free on the water in daylight. The added information about these birds is very interesting.

[Taylor Brune · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book to use to introduce a lesson on different types of birds or just traditions of different types of people. The book talks about Icelandic child traditions where they rescue Puffins. The book uses Icelandic words and is all together very informative.

[Alexis]

AR test completed.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:
lovely photos and sweet story
kids in Ireland rescue the puffin babies that get stranded on land

[Lupine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want to go and rescue pufflings with these children.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like this book a lot because it tells how a puffling has to live its live.

[Penny lurkykitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nights of the Pufflings is a non fiction childrens book about kids on Heimaey Island in Iceland who, during a few weeks of the year, rescue stranded puffin chicks at night. The information is presented well and the photographs are engaging. My daughter was really interested in what the children were doing. After reading this, we wanted to visit this island and help rescue the pufflings.

[Olivia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an informational book about kids in Iceland interacting with pufflings. Pufflings are born through the book. The pictures are beautiful because of the ocean and mountains. I loved looking at them. This book is a great science book to have in the classroom.