Customer Reviews

Little Loon and Papa

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is cute because the little loon doesn't want the diving lessons and his papa still makes him. Then he looses his papa and goes to a bunch of other animals looking for his papa. He ends up running into some pretty scary animals.

Little Loon and Papa, the second pairing of author Toni Buzzeo and illustrator Margaret Spengler, is another winner. (Dawdle Duckling) The rhythmic language begs to be read aloud. The soft, richly colored illustrations help young listeners and readers identify with Little Loon and feel right at home on the Maine lake, no matter where in the world they live. In the words of my daughter, who loves Little Loon, "It's a keeper!"

She has asked for it three nights in a row, now. There are lots of fun sound-words written in all capital letters ("HOO HOO HOO" "SQUEEZE TUCK ZIP") and she enjoys reading those while I read the rest of the text. It's a great way to share reading. I also know she relates to Little Loon's struggle to face up to his fears. She cheers every time he makes it under that log and back to Papa's protective wing. A joy to read and share.

"Little Loon spots
a great, shaggy face
and a wide brown snout
with a trout hanging out."

Readers adore the suspense as Little Loon explores (albeit reluctantly) the wider world and finally summons the courage to take his dive. The rhythmic, playful language not only make this story a perfect read aloud, but a wonderful choice for the emergent reader with new-found pride in his or reading ability. Pure pleasure.

Another fun read aloud from Toni Buzzeo! Kids will want to hear this one again and again as they follow Little Loon's struggle to learn to dive. Margaret Spengler's illustations delight readers and put us right in the north woods with Little Loon and Papa. Add this one to your collection of Buzzeo/Spengler books!