Puffling Patrol by Ted and Betsy Lewin

For this book, Caldecott Award Honor artists Ted and Betsy Lewin travel to the Westman Islands off the coast of Iceland.  The Lewins document the annual “Puffling Patrol.”  Every year, fluffy little puffin chicks are hatched on the remote cliffs of the islands.  Most of the pufflings leave the nest and make their way to the ocean at night. But some get confused, and lose their way.  That’s where local volunteers come in.  The volunteers fan out looking for pufflings that have accidentally wandered into the village instead of to the beach.  The pufflings are taken to the local Natural History Museum to be weighed and measured.  Then, if the puffling is large enough, it’s released to the sea.  When full-grown, the puffin may return to these islands to raise its own brood.  The Lewin’s wonderful watercolor illustrations bring the scenes to life.  Ted paints the large full-color spreads, while Betsy contributes lively ink and wash field drawings.  Their styles are very different, but complementary. Puffling Patrol is perfect for older kids (and their parents) who are curious about these colorful birds.

Reviewed by Victoria

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