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Little Loon Finds His Voice
Bank Street Books - 2022 Best Children's Books of the Year (STEM Selection) Silver Winner in the PubWest Book Design Awards (Children's/YA - Illustrated category) "This illuminating tale simultaneously serves as a primer on the loon and a satisfying, well-paced chronicle of progress." — Publishers Weekly , starred review Ooo aaa woo woo! Papa Loon's voice calls out long and strong across the water. He warns of danger. He defends his family's home. He even wards off predators. But Peep! Eep! Squeak! Little Loon's voice is nothing like his Papa's. When an eagle attacks, will Little Loon find his voice in time? A water bird found throughout much of North America, loons are famous for their echoing calls. Little Loon Finds His Voice is the endearing, coming-of-age tale of one little loon finding his voice, and with it, his place in the world. Breathtaking illustrations transport readers to misty lakes and towering pines, and informative loon facts at the end detail the life and habits of these enchanting birds. "Share this with readers who have heard loons' calls in the wild." — Kirkus Reviews
32 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 23, 2022
Here's some loon calls, for y'all, 2 minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ENNz...
Here's a range of calls--tremolos, wails, and yodels, 1 minute:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVJHQ...
Since I was traveling to northern Wisconsin to stay for the weekend on a small lake (with loons), I picked this up just as I was leaving the library, and it did not disappoint. Sweet story, educational book for young'uns, lovely illustrations, kind of a throw-back style, delicate lines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ENNz...
Here's a range of calls--tremolos, wails, and yodels, 1 minute:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVJHQ...
Since I was traveling to northern Wisconsin to stay for the weekend on a small lake (with loons), I picked this up just as I was leaving the library, and it did not disappoint. Sweet story, educational book for young'uns, lovely illustrations, kind of a throw-back style, delicate lines.
September 24, 2022
Featured in grandma reads session.
All good things come in their proper order, and Little Loon's voice grows in an orderly way, which is slower than his impatient self wants. It was a message my little group understood, and we stayed with Little Loon right to the end, where he was calling as robustly as his parents and siblings.
By the close of the book, we decided to google up some calls of loons calling across their watery homes to each other, and it was just as eerie and haunting as it must be when these little creatures grow and mimic their elders in flocks. It was a wonderful read to share across the states in a zoom session with my kiddos, and then hearing the loons call each other.
A great cite for this? https://www.audubon.org/news/hear-hau...
All good things come in their proper order, and Little Loon's voice grows in an orderly way, which is slower than his impatient self wants. It was a message my little group understood, and we stayed with Little Loon right to the end, where he was calling as robustly as his parents and siblings.
By the close of the book, we decided to google up some calls of loons calling across their watery homes to each other, and it was just as eerie and haunting as it must be when these little creatures grow and mimic their elders in flocks. It was a wonderful read to share across the states in a zoom session with my kiddos, and then hearing the loons call each other.
A great cite for this? https://www.audubon.org/news/hear-hau...
January 7, 2022
This is a gorgeous picture book celebrating the loon. The fictional story is based upon facts about loons that are listed on the last page. "Chicks don't get their full adult voice until they are eight months old. They cannot yodel until they are about two years old." Fantastic! How cool is this tidbit: "You can hear a loon's call @ www.loon.org." I highly recommend this book!
April 10, 2024
Only-chick, Little Loon, is lovingly cared for by his Mama and Papa from birth to age two in this delightful narrative (nearly) nonfiction. What Little Loon longs for more than anything else, is a loon's call like Papa's: "Papa's call was long. His call was strong. It echoed on the water." But try has he may, Little Loon could only produce onomatopoeic sounds of squeaks and peeps. Even as danger lurks as a raven assesses Little Loon when Mama and Papa are away, he can only squeak loud enough for his parents to hear and come to his rescue. But Little Loon keeps practicing.
Until the day when he pops out of the reeds and finds he is alone. Lurking above is a threatening eagle. Little Loon must muster his practiced call, and with the help of Papa, scares the eagle away. How proud Little Loon is of his own voice and fearlessness!
The lovely pastel illustrations endear young readers to Little Loon's story. In hues of light blue and light green, Shklovsky's art perfectly reflects the serenity and natural beauty of the lake setting. As fall settles in the autumnal red and gold illustrations reveal Little Loon reaching adulthood.
Excellent backmatter fills in details that tell the more complete story of this lovely bird. Encourage young readers to go to the website listed to hear the unique haunting sound of the loon.
Until the day when he pops out of the reeds and finds he is alone. Lurking above is a threatening eagle. Little Loon must muster his practiced call, and with the help of Papa, scares the eagle away. How proud Little Loon is of his own voice and fearlessness!
The lovely pastel illustrations endear young readers to Little Loon's story. In hues of light blue and light green, Shklovsky's art perfectly reflects the serenity and natural beauty of the lake setting. As fall settles in the autumnal red and gold illustrations reveal Little Loon reaching adulthood.
Excellent backmatter fills in details that tell the more complete story of this lovely bird. Encourage young readers to go to the website listed to hear the unique haunting sound of the loon.
December 13, 2021
I was very lucky to win a Goodreads Giveaway copy of Little Loon Finds His Voice by Yvonne Pearson. Thanks to the Independent Publishing Group (IPG) for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
My family has had the pleasure of spending many weeks over the years on a lake in northern Canada where we enjoyed watching and hearing the loons every day. It was a very relaxing time and a time I looked forward to. This book brings all that calm and beauty back. I can picture myself sharing this book someday with a grandchild on my lap in our rented cottage and then again once we return home. In very short but descriptive sentences the author makes the pictures come to life as we watch a loon hatch and after much persistence find his voice.
I found the author's notes at the end to be very informative. I can't wait to go back to the lake in northern Canada and listen more closely for the different calls of the loons.
If you love sharing the wonders of nature with children you will want to buy this book. It will be one that you read often and when the time comes pass on to the next generation.
My family has had the pleasure of spending many weeks over the years on a lake in northern Canada where we enjoyed watching and hearing the loons every day. It was a very relaxing time and a time I looked forward to. This book brings all that calm and beauty back. I can picture myself sharing this book someday with a grandchild on my lap in our rented cottage and then again once we return home. In very short but descriptive sentences the author makes the pictures come to life as we watch a loon hatch and after much persistence find his voice.
I found the author's notes at the end to be very informative. I can't wait to go back to the lake in northern Canada and listen more closely for the different calls of the loons.
If you love sharing the wonders of nature with children you will want to buy this book. It will be one that you read often and when the time comes pass on to the next generation.
December 4, 2021
Yvonne Peterson’s lyrical text blends with Regina Shklovsky’s soft watercolor and graphite illustrations to tell the story of a young loon’s coming-of-age in the northland wilds. His pains and frustration will resonate with all children who strive impatiently to master the strength and capability of adults. And then one day…
Loons are renowned for the beauty of their haunting, echoing calls. Readers have the opportunity to recreate these calls in the text, much to the delight of their young audience. My first reading was to a three year old, who asked for the book “again and again,” and joyously repeated each loon call. A beautiful book with heart and universal appeal!
K. J. Hagen
Loons are renowned for the beauty of their haunting, echoing calls. Readers have the opportunity to recreate these calls in the text, much to the delight of their young audience. My first reading was to a three year old, who asked for the book “again and again,” and joyously repeated each loon call. A beautiful book with heart and universal appeal!
K. J. Hagen
November 23, 2021
I absolutely love this book! Talk about perseverance! Little Loon keeps trying his calls, and the reader is naturally invited to try the calls, too. The language is strong throughout the book and ends so beautifully. This book would be an excellent read aloud for life cycles, not giving up, birds, etc. I highly recommend!
(caveat--I am in a writers' group with Yvonne and saw the manuscript grow over many revisions. I am so proud of Yvonne for persevering in the publication of this book!)
(caveat--I am in a writers' group with Yvonne and saw the manuscript grow over many revisions. I am so proud of Yvonne for persevering in the publication of this book!)
June 29, 2022
In this delicately illustrated book, Little Loon longs to have a call as long and strong as Papa's calls. Different loon calls/communications are featured throughout the story, and you'll have lots of giggles together trying them out! Little Loon also learns that he'll get better with practice. And even though his calls might not be as strong as Papa's, Little Loon can rest easy knowing that Mama and Papa are always right there, taking good care of him.
August 18, 2021
This book is beautiful! It's a warm, rewarding, heartfelt story, centered on nature (which I love). I can't wait to read this book with my granddaughter snuggled in my lap. The description of the various loon calls is so well done. The art is great and draws young readers (and listeners!) into the story. And the end papers - my, how gorgeous!
February 11, 2022
Good illustrations and baby loons are fascinating as they when very young will ride on their mothers backs. Interesting what the four varied calls mean in loon “language”. Actually I think adults may enjoy this title more than children.
Some smaller libraries will who interfile adult and children’s nonfiction may want to do that with this title.
Some smaller libraries will who interfile adult and children’s nonfiction may want to do that with this title.
March 29, 2022
Lovely little picture book. The cover is embossed for a nice texture. The art is drawn in mostly blues, greens, yellows, and black. The text simple but powerful for a child who feels powerless. Contains facts about loons at the end. Perfect for nature loving families. Sending a copy to my nephew!
December 10, 2021
Great nature connections that also show the passage of time! Demonstrates how long Little Loon took to find his voice!
January 10, 2022
A cute story.
January 11, 2022
Sweet story, Great illustrations good education matter about loons in the index
January 13, 2022
This is a sweet nature story featuring an animal not frequently seen starring in picture books. A baby look grows up, eventually making the famous yodeling call for which the water birds are famous.
January 21, 2022
cute story about a baby loon finding his voice. Beautiful illustrations!
Want to Read
May 12, 2022Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
July 30, 2022
07.23.2022: my spouse found this early reader book at the Madison County Public Library, Berea and I loved the art work; when I looked it up on this web site, it's an award winner; might as well read it...; 07.30.2022: a quite nice story of a loon growing up, when the loons voice gets stronger. My sole complaint is that it is written (the author is a grandmother) from a traditional perspective of the man is strong (and loud) and the woman is nurturing; the art work is really quite remarkable; 2021 hardcover via Madison County Public Library, Berea, 32 pgs. (per GoodReads)
June 22, 2022
Sweet and at one point, thrilling. Enjoyed the illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews