Puffins!

by Maria Gianferrari, Maris Wicks (Illustrator)

Follow a young puffling's life from hatching to adulthood and learn about the bustling and precarious world of Atlantic Puffin City in this imaginative nonfiction picture book.

On the edge of the sea,
There is a nesting island as loud as a city,
Where two puffins mate, burrow, and lay their egg.

They splash into the ocean
And dodge nearby predators,
Searching everywhere to find food for their hungry puffling.

Follow one adorable Puffling as she eats, grows, and learns how to survive on her busy, bustling island in this thrilling and action-packed nonfiction tale.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Audiobook

48 pages, Hardcover

Published April 14, 2026

About the author

Bird nerd; nature and animal lover; writer of fiction and nonfiction picture books.

pennyandjelly.com

#pennyandjelly on Instagram

Reviews

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating. I learned so much about these delightful creatures. Outstanding narration. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an audio ARC. Thank, you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

[Steff Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Puffins! are just so cute!

I love life-cycle stories about animals for kids, to tell you the truth. They’re a lot of fun, most children love animals and therefore are fascinated by books with adorable artistry throughout, and you learn something from them. I especially appreciated this one in particular for having information at the end related to supporting puffins and honestly kind of wish this book had been around when I was younger. We always see stuff about penguins, I think, but puffin are notoriously left out.

The fun thing about this book is that there’s also an audiobook, something that I’ve grown to really appreciate in children’s books. Of course, you gotta have the physical book with you because the experience definitely isn’t the same without it, but the sound effects and music that’s included are really such a great touch and only really found in kids audiobooks or the new form of graphic audio. Frankly, I’d love to see more musicality to audiobooks these days.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[stacey bourque · Rating 4 out of 5]

вιg ℓ яαтιηg: 5⭐️

Narration: 5⭐️

This book was educational and puffin-y! This was a non-fiction book, meaning it is real. I enjoyed it so much, I wish it was longer. I enioyed the sound effects, especially when the waterfall went ssssshhhhh. My favourite fact I learned about puffins was that they can dive 200 feet down in the sea.

Would I Recommend: YES!

мσмму яαтιηg: 4⭐️

Narration: 5⭐️

I really enjoyed listening to this book! The narration was outstanding with sound effects, which really added to the reading experience. The length was perfect to keep the attention span of the littles and was loaded with lots of fun facts. My favourite fact I learned was that puffins mate for life.

Would I Recommend: YES!

I want to thank @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Maria Gianferrari wrote a captivating kids story that follows a few puffins in their life journey. My 5 year old really enjoyed the story (plus it'll be perfect for a car ride in the future). My kid loved the additional random facts at the end.

🎧 Tim Campbell - I've never heard him read a children's book before and he did a fantastic job balancing the nonfiction with the theatrics of the story telling.

🎶 Some of the extra music was a little distracting for them at first, but they eventually got used to it.

⭐️ This would also make an excellent 'Read-Along' version if an ebook was ever to come about. My kid mentioned that the illustrations for this story would be 'fantastic'.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I am a science teacher and I would use this in any science classes including upper level for engagement.

I found the information to be accurate while still appealing to the elementary set. It’s designed for read aloud but it would be a great Accelerated Reader selection.

I can’t wait to share it with my granddaughter this weekend!

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read an advance copy and provide my review.

[Angelica Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely adorable audio! Being a kids book it was quick but I can’t wait to get the physical book and add it to my son’s trophy shelf. I loved hearing all the background noises that went along with the story. The little puffin sounds were so cute. The narrator was clear, precise, and kept me listening. And to top it off this book was very educational as well which I as a Mom love!

[Ris · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I got an advanced listening copy of this title from Libro FM.**

This was a fun audiobook! This narrator takes his exclamation marks and sound effects very seriously, and I couldn't stop laughing. It's also very informational. I'm looking forward to flipping through the physical copy for the illustrations when it comes out in April.

[Aliceson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and informative. It takes you through the life cycle of a puffin and includes references to challenges puffins face (warmer waters, other birds.) I read this as an audiobook, so I didn’t get to see the pictures, but the cover is gorgeous. I think it’s the perfect balance of information and story. You want to know what happens to little puffling and if she survives.

[Erin Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and very educational. As I’ve only heard the audiobook, I can’t really comment on the art but the story is very nicely read. As someone who lives in Newfoundland and has been part of “Puffin Patrol” for over 10+ years it is very nice to see the book has puffling facts 100% correct. Would recommend to anyone who wants to teach their kids about baby puffins, or even learn themselves!

[Shannon Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The use of music and background ambience really helps feel like you are listening to a documentary. It is informative while remaining entertaining, and the call to action at the end is hopeful while still allowing for further action if desired. Overall, an enjoyable listen, and I would highly recommend reading if you are interested in learning more about puffins!

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook was such a great experience, although I would highly recommend looking at the print version while listening. It was fun and informative and the effects were wonderful. Even though it had a lot of facts, it was very lighthearted and energetic.

[Hypsypops · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super cute book, with a phenomenal audio edition! The narrator was great (something I didn’t think I could say about someone reading a picture book about puffins) and the sound effects were A+!

Thank you NetGalley for this ALC.

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this audiobook from netGalley for a honest review.

I loved this nonfiction audiobook about puffins with it's upbeat soundtrack and delightful story about the life cycle of a puffin.

[Cave's · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this audiobook the sound effects, the narrator's presentation and all the wonderful information about Puffins. Such a cute fun easy non-fiction.

[☆Amanda Cresse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: The audiobook has great background sounds of the waves and puffins.

[Tam I · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. Informative as well. Read ARC.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous and fairly detailed look, graphic novel-style, into the life cycle of a puffin! I loved all the little everyday details included in this account of a very unique bird.

[Renee Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both informative and adorable!