How exciting to receive a request from a publisher, Lee and Low Books, to review a book that links in perfectly with the goals of my blog and my own writing. Puffling Patrol, as you will discover, takes us on a true trip to an animal conservation project that involves many children each year. It also takes us to a little known European island. Caldecott honor winner, Ted and Betsy Lewin, are not unknown for travels to, and books about, remote places. Maybe you have read THE GORILLA WALK set in Uganda, or my favorite, HORSE SONG, set in Mongolia? Are you ready to go to Iceland with me?
- Puffling Patrol
Puffling Patrol By Ted and Betsy Lewin
Published by Lee and Low Books, March 2012 (56 pages)
Ages: 7 upwards
Themes: Puffins, animal conservation, Iceland, community, Puffling rescue
Opening Lines/Synopsis: “It is the end of August. Soon the adult puffins will be gone to spend the winter in the cold northern seas. The pufflings in the dark burrows will then be on their own.”
Did you know those cute fluffy babies were called pufflings? Ted and Betsy made a trip
out to Iceland’s Westman Islands to find out more about these baby birds and their survival. They visit the islands by zodiac over rough seas, and get so see firsthand the cliffs, where in the spring, the puffins dig their burrows to hatch and raise their offspring. By August, the pufflings are ready, or most are, to fend for themselves. While many pufflings head straight out to sea, some, confused by the town’s lights, and maybe with wings not quite strong enough yet, head inland, and the local phenomenen of ‘it’s raining pufflings’ occurs.
After a visit to the Natural History Museum, which acts as the puffling center, they see
their first puffling rescue, brought in the previous night. The Lewins link up with 8 year-old twins, Danni and Enna, who, along with many other local children, are key players in the summer “Puffling Patrol.” This is a community of solidarity – ‘their real love is for puffins, that small chunky black and white seabird.”
The kids (and parents) set out after 10:00PM wrapped up well for a summer icelandic evening, and the pouring rain. Danni has eagle eyes. The previous year he had rescued 27 pufflings in one evening. I was surprised to see that the children are allowed to handle and cuddle these pufflings, as generally human contact is minimized when working with animals one is returning to the wild. I am assuming it is less important with birds than with mammals. My favorite scene is the next morning, when, the pufflings found the night before, having been checked for size and health, are registered and released on the beach. “EINN, TVEIR and PRIR” the children hold the pufflings aloft to get them flapping their wings, then release them.
Why I like this Book: While some of the illustrations are reminiscent of Betsy’s most
famous work, “Click Clack Moo”, most are exquisite watercolor landscapes, seascapes and close-ups of these beautiful birds. Don’t you love the puffling lit up by the flashlight, above? The subtle artwork on every page, draws you into this northerly nation with its dependence on the sea, and especially invites you into this small community. One of the appeals for me was how involved the entire community is in caring for these birds, including the children, who are so often excluded from conservation projects. I would have loved to have been a member of the puffling patrol as a kid. I suspect that most children could not locate Iceland on a map, and any good book, such as this, that helps broaden children’s cross cultural awareness, is valuable.
There are excellent factual details about emigration, habitat, threats etc woven naturally into the body of the story. Additionaly there are three pages at the back on more puffin facts; one page on the 1973 earthquake; a page Vestmannaeylers’ puffins today and a glossary & pronunciation guide. This would be a great classroom resource as well as a good choice for kids who like a more factual narrative and enjoy more information. It would fit well into any teaching unit at school or home on: bird migration, animal conservation and island life. I enjoyed both the text and illustrations equally in this beautiful book.
NB All pictures used by kind permission of the publisher.
I would also like to add that the gorgeous new blog banner is by my talented friend, Sytiva Sheehan, whom I interviewed here.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
A lovely review on a book that has everything in it, and I love the picture below the cover. This is certainly you! Wow to be asked by the publishers is certainly an honour…… Go you Joanna. It’s lovely to have you back my friend and I am looking forward to more of your interesting posts here (have missed you). Love your new header!
What a swell first comment to welcome me back to the blogosphere, Diane. Cheers! I love the focus of this publishing house, so I was more than happy to review this great book.
SO good to have Miss Marple musing again in the blogoverse. I have missed you!
This book sounds excellent on so many levels. I, too, am amazed that the children are allowed such prolonged contact with the pufflings (what a wonderful name!). Perhaps it is because the birds are past the stage of imprinting and species confusion? If I were an elementary teacher I would be so eager to share this book with my classroom!
The illustrations look amazing — I am grateful that the publisher allowed you to share them with us. A couple of them are Audubon-worthy, and all are totally appealing.
What an honor for you to be asked to review this book! Thank you, Lee & Low, for approaching Joanna, and thank you, Joanna, for this excellent review.
Beth, thank you for the welcome back! I was indeed thrilled to be able to include so much beautiful artwork. I would be happy to hang such pieces in my living room. I also, of course, now want to visit Iceland!
Trying again – fantastic review! Thank you for sharing with us.
It’s a book that would appeal to a lot of kids, I believe, Julie.
Where to start? I guess with wonderful to have you back! 🙂 Loved the review (although I think I’ve seen this book somewhere before :)). And I love your new banner! Gorgeous!
You recognize it?! 🙂 Glad to be back, and, yes, didn’t Sytiva do a swell job.
Thank you Joanna 🙂 I used all your favorite colors. As well as lady bugs.
😀
Glad that you like it. Had a ton of fun making this one.
sytiva
Thank you, and I love the ladybugs!
😀
I knew you would.
I love your great review about the puffins. So wonderful that they allow the children of Iceland to help patrol and participate in the care and release of the puffins. Would have loved doing that as a kid. It was nice that the publisher asked you to review their book. It is a gem for the classroom.
Love the banner Sytiva made for your blog. It captures you and is magical. Like it a lot.
I am sure this will be a hit in many classrooms. It is fun receiving a review request for something recently released.
I am so glad you like Sytiva’s lovely banner.
Wonderful review! I wish I could go on Puffling Patrol. (Although I don’t think my kids could stay up past 10 pm.) The images are beautiful. So glad you could share them with us.
Hannah, my immediate response was also that I wanted to go on Puffling Patrol!
Excellent review, Joanna! The artwork is gorgeous, I would love to have couple of the pieces as a framed print. I’m off to add this one o my wish list, you’ve sold me on the story. Great banner, too!
Heather, you would love the land and seascapes too, I think.
Hey Joanna! Welcome back. Susanna has seen this book before. As a matter of fact, I won this book as a give-a-way prize on her blog. It arrived today and immediately sat out on my front porch to read it. I literally went “Ahhhh,” when I opened the book to it’s first page. I usually only read to early learners. However, I’ll be sharing this book with three after-shool programs in mid September. I can’t wait to get their responses. Ooh, maybe they could even render some water color masterpieces of their own! Stay tuned!
So glad that you won a copy, Pam, and that it is going to be put to great use in those after-school programs.
What a wonderful job Ted and Betsy. Love the art work of the birds. I like what Patricia said about allowing the children of Iceland to help patrol and participate in the care and release of the puffins.
sytiva
I would love to see more children involved around the world in such conservation programs. I loved the artwork, with its two distinctive styles.
Those little birds melt my heart. This book sounds wonderful.
Don’t you just want to stroke one as the little girl does? And puffins (the adults) are such splendidly attractive birds too.
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