Customer Reviews

Looking for Loons

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

 

 

Looking for Loons is a children's picturebook set in a cottage by a lake. As dawn comes, different sounds wake different members of the family, but where are the sounds of the loons? A young boy delays a mouth-watering pancake breakfast to sit on the porch chair, listen, and watch for the loons - and when they come, it is an experience to remember! The thoughtful, naturalistic artwork of Kirsti Anne Wakelin beautifully illustrates this charming story, ideal for reading aloud.

I love the idea behind this book and was sure we'd like this story. But it turned out that the story is just so-so. Not particularly creative or compelling. It follows the jist of 'Owl Moon' a bit (a child patiently waiting/looking for wildlife) but if you read the two books side by side, the difference is stark. Owl Moon is great children's literature, this reads like something I could have written (which is to say, it isn't great).

My children (3 1/2 y.o. boy and 2 y.o. girl) and I enjoying reading this book together. It's gentle and quiet and makes me nostalgic for summers spent at a lake in my youth. My kids make all the different sounds ("Screech!") and keep track of who is up with Patrick. Plus, my son is really into his binoculars these days and loves the picture of Patrick looking at the beaver and red-winged blackbird. I find it a nice change from our usual active and funny books. It's a great one for snuggling!