Puffling

by Margaret Wild, Julie Vivas (Illustrator)

Puffling is a baby―small, white, and very hungry. Every day he waits in the burrow while his parents, Big Stripy Beak and Long Black Feather hunt for food. As he grows, Puffling dreams of the day when he will leave his nest and fly away―but he isn't ready yet, not until he's tall and brave enough to fend for himself. Every day Puffling asks his parents, but every day they say he must wait until he has grown bigger. Will he ever be ready to head out into the world on his own? This story about how love makes us strong, brave, and happy, too, is perfect for so many milestones: first times with babysitters, first days of school, and even graduation.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Birds, Childrens, Family, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Margaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly respected picture-book creators whose award-winning children's books are loved by children all over the world. Margaret has published over seventy picture books for young children and she has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian children's literature.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

3 stars for the story, 4 stars for the illustrations.

I thought I was going to love this book as I've always had a soft spot for puffins and what cuter name in the animal kingdom is there than "puffling"!? Alas,the story was just so-so for me; the little chick trying to find the courage to leave the nest is so "done" and I guess I just wanted more here. But, it's still a pleasant read, thanks especially to the darling illustrations that also manage to evoke a nice sense of atmosphere.

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

My daughter didn't want to reread this one. I don't know why it didn't just call the mother and father bird "mother" and "father" instead of Big Stripy Beak and Long Black Feather, which are hard to read aloud repeatedly. I am not in love with this genre of books about baby animals asking their parents when they can grow up.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It must be hard to illustrate Margaret Wild's writing because she uses such rich, painterly language. The introductory sentence here is wonderful.

'In summer, when the light is soft and night never truly falls, the egg hatched.'

A lot is implied about setting and location without being stated explicitly. For instance, it's a long way north or south and maybe summer's cold. Weird! In the illustrations we see bulky, exotic looking parent birds, taking an interest in the hatchling. All this heightens the sense of vulnerability of puffling, whose coming of age story this is.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit educational about puffins (nice change from robins or chickens...); don't miss the note on the copyright page. The message about flying from the nest diving from the burrow has been done, but imo seldom with such charm. I love how the parents measure how tall and strong the growing one is, and how one of his acts of peeking out the burrow is to 'moon' the world.

The art is just as amazing as the other reviewers admit. It's by the illustrator of another of my favorite books, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge.

Enjoy these and several others with her work on openlibrary.org.

[Dale Barlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

(E) 01.30.2025: my spouse purchased this book (not available locally) in hopes of making a small wall quilt from the illustrations; I recently read another of this author’s early children’s book because the illustrator of that book had come to my attention; 01.30.2025: both the wording and illustrations are good, not great; might be that this story will generate a bunch of conversations about growing up with young readers—hard to tell; for an adult reader, it was a ho’hum kind of read; 2008 hardcover purchased; 32 pgs.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read to my children about the puffling being old enough to leave the nest, and then wanting one last hug, the words would catch in my throat as I held back the tears. I adored this book - it’s how I feel everyday about encouraging my children and wishing well for their future. I want to write to each reviewer who gave it low star rating! My kids know it’s the only book of ‘theirs’ I won’t last with.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story could earn high marks for Vivas's gorgeous illustrations alone. While the story itself is more of a coming-of-age tale than informational, Wild does include some information about puffins at the beginning of the book for curious readers.

[Darlene Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful illustrations about a young puffin's coming of age. When will it be ready to leave its burrow and face the dangers of the world? The longish names for the parents seemed awkward, although most of the general wording is nicely lyrical.

[Mely · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was just something about this book's writing that I didn't care for.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sort of non-fiction, explaining what a Puffling is and their cycle of life. From the simple fact I learned something, I liked it.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantasy combines with real facts about puffins, the unusual and instantly recognizable seabirds. The illustrations are very cute.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

For: readers looking for a book about growing up and moving on.

Possible red flags: scary swooping gulls.

[Freddie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a timeless treasure this book is. It made me quite teary! A stunning metaphor for the way our babies eventually grow up and no longer need their parents.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this story is cute, it really isn’t as informative as it could be. The type of bird, the reasons behind why Puffling has to go alone and why the seagulls want to hurt him etc. is not explained.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for the illustrations, 3 stars for the story

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 3 out of 5]

Open Library.

[ThePinkCarrot · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cutest puffin you ever saw!

[Trisha Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel in love with Puffling. He is a young puffin who is desperate to grow up and be on his own. His asks his parents when he will be ready to leave the nest, hunt and live on his own but his parents say it isn't time yet. He knows that the day will come when he is big enough, brave enough, and strong enough to make it on his own. He wants that day to come so badly; he wants to grow up and take adventures but it did not occur to him that it would mean leaving his mother and father. He begins to realize how much his misses his family and is second guessing leaving the nest but then he stumbles upon other young puffins and makes friends. One thing I thought about while reading this book was wanting to grow up so badly when I was little. Now that I am grown up there are times when I wish I could go back and experience childhood again. We need to take advantage of every step we take in life. We need to get the most out of life while we can.

[crashqueen73 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can see the value of Puffling from the point of view of the classroom or a teacher perspective perhaps being that there are a number of aspects that could be developed upon such as growing up, or being brave or even to research more about puffins and their offspring. So I would say the book has value from a learning POV but from a reading and listening POV I would have to say not so much. I think that the names could have been less distracting (even my four year old wanted to know who Big Stripy Beak and Little Long Feather? were. Mum and dad would have been a lot easier for this age group, or were they not Puffling's parents? (Maybe pufflings are raised by random puffins???).

Anyhow, it was OK. I would use this in the classroom but as a story read for enjoyment purposes- not so much.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inside Cover: Puffling is a baby -- small, white, and very hungry. Every day he waits in the burrow while his parents, Big Stripy Beak and Long Black Feather, hunt for food. As he grows, Puffling dreams of the day when he will leave his nest and fly away -- but he isn't ready yet, not until he's tall and brave enough to fend for himself. Every day Puffling asks his parents, but every day they say he must wait until he has grown bigger. Will he ever be ready to head out into the world on his own? This story about how love makes us strong, brave, and happy, too, is perfect for families experiencing milestones big and small.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story of growing up and gaining independence - I suppose it would be perfect for kids heading off for big-school. I'm not a big fan of the plot - the ending seems to gloss over many potential problems with a "happily ever after" ending.

Julie Vivas has created some outstanding illustrations for this book.

I just couldn't get over the names of the parents - "Big Stripy Beak" and "Long Black Feather" - Mum and Dad would have rolled off the tongue better!

[Alexa Maring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children want to grow up so fast. They want to be taller or bigger or stronger, but we must all wait. In time we will be ready to head out on our own. I would read this to students who want to be an adult, but I would also recommend this to high school and college gradates. There is an important lesson to all people who have matured and are ready for a new journey. I love how the parents said that Puffling would always be theirs. As in life, we will always be special to those who care about us. It is important to remember that we will always be special in the lives of those who love us.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nominated for CBC 2009. Tells the story of a little puffin (never knew that a young puffin was called a puffling), who wants to leave the nest, but is too young , small and not brave enough. The plot follows the typical layout of a picture book for the very young, repetition of lines and scenes, until at last the little puffin is ready to fly. A bit sad at the end when he is left alone to live his own life away from his parents. Wonderful pastel illustrations of the puffin family

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging book about a baby puffin, which are apparently called pufflings, who must one day be big, brave and strong enough to leave the nest and start a family of his own. The author features a tiny factual 3 paragraphs on the title page about puffins and their babies. I gave this book 4 stars mostly because of the brilliant pastel and watercolor pencil illustrations inside.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story didn't quite click with me (though it doesn't seem any are with me today). The illustrations are lovely. But I think it is the title that does me in. Maggie's right--how can you not like something with that word?

There's a nice growing up message if you want to take that, but it was a stretch for me.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

The adorable illustrations are the best part of this book about a little puffling that is in a great big hurry to grow up. If the parents had been called “mom” and “dad” instead of “Big Stripy Beak” and “Long Black Feather” every time they were mentioned the story would have read more smoothly and added that extra bit of parental love to it.

[MissInformation · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done family story about a little puffling who wants to go into the big world, and whose parents prepare and protect him until he's ready.
Some repetition, good for early literacy. Story Time age 3 and up.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

As his affectionate parents nourish and protect him, a plucky young puffin impatiently waits--but not without some reservations--for the day when he is "strong enough and tall enough and brave enough" to leave his nest on the rocky cliff-face and waddle off to the sea.

[Emkoshka · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is it about pastel and pencil illustration that makes things so right?! This is a cute story about learning to find your feet in the world by being 'strong enough, tall enough and brave enough'. Gorgeous.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS SO CUTE. I thought they weren't going to have the parents be mother and father but then they did which kind of makes me wonder why they did the Long Black Feather/Big Stripey Beak (I think?) thing in the first place, but anyway. And also it's not that original. BUT THE ILLUSTRATIONS.