"An outstanding description of the life cycle of the Laysan albatross told as a first-person narrative from the perspective of Malie, a female albatross.A wonderful introduction to a magnificent sea bird, this vibrantly illustrated story belongs on EVERY shelf." ― SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"Anyone who has had the great fortune to visit Midway Atoll will agree that Caren Loebel-Fried captures the “magic” of Midway in A Perfect Day for an Albatross. We may not necessarily all have the great fortune and luck to visit Midway, but Caren Loebel-Fried offers her readers the next best thing―to dance and soar with albatross from page to page in a stunning, inspirational, and educational book." – THE BIRDER'S LIBRARY
"A Compellingly Beautiful Picture Book, Loebel-Fried’s captivating text is full of vivid descriptions and fun-to-say words that delight the ear and tongue. The book’s visual images are every bit as stunning, evoking seascapes and landscapes in deep, bright tones. Loebel-Fried’s powers of observation and her empathy with the natural world shine through." – BETH GULDSETH, AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION (ABA)
“I love A Perfect Day for an Albatross...touting it to every elementary school I come across...really well put together.” – US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, HONOLULU
“A Perfect Day for an Albatross is a perfect book for any child you love, a book of generous, inspired vision. It’s a beautiful story about these legendary birds in their ocean paradise.” – CARL SAFINA, AUTHOR OF EYE OF THE ALBATROSS, AND BEYOND WORDS; WHAT ANIMALS THINK AND FEEL
"After spending five weeks on Midway Atoll counting albatrosses, Volcano author and artist Caren Loebel-Fried collaborated with Cornell Lab of Ornithology to create the ideal book for children and nature lovers of all ages. Both gorgeous and scientifically sound, as well as gracefully told…" – DON WALLACE, HONOLULU MAGAZINE
"The …illustrations… are bold and striking. The book ends with some factual information on albatross biology and conservation, helpful to answer questions that a child might raise… I can recommend Caren’s latest book to parents looking for a gift for their pre-teen child. It can only help install and encourage a respect and love for the magnificent beings that albatrosses truly are." – JOHN COOPER, AGREEMENT ON THE CONSERVATION OF ALBATROSSES AND PETRELS (ACAP) INFORMATION OFFICER
“To anyone who has spent time on Midway Atoll NWR or any other location where albatrosses breed, Caren’s artwork, text and context will lead them back to the wonders, sights, and sounds of a bustling albatross colony. For a young child, this introduction into that world will surely open a young mind to a realm of sand, sounds, and sea―dominated by what can only be considered one of nature’s most engaging and amazing birds…Does an impressive job of capturing the various elements of albatross individual behaviors and interactions…As engaging and biologically correct as the text is, it pales in comparison to the absolutely amazing block prints that jump from each page and transport the reader to a land of wonder. The colorful prints serve not only to enhance the simple yet concise and descriptive narrative that follows Ma¯lie the albatross during her “perfect day,” but also give the reader a colorful and artistic interpretation of the beauty of Midway Atoll.” – GOONEY GAZETTE II
From the Back Cover
On Midway Atoll, an albatross named Mãlie must protect her egg until her mate returns. Join Mãlie as she dances, hunts, and soars over the ocean swells!
On the remote islands of Midway Atoll, nearly all of the world’s Laysan Albatrosses make their nests. Caren Loebel-Fried spent five weeks there counting, observing, sketching, photographing, and filming these albatrosses before writing this book. A Perfect Day for an Albatross reflects the latest discoveries about these amazing birds who spend most of their very long lives on open ocean. Skillfully weaving this information into an exciting and charming story, Caren makes you want to meet an albatross!
Listen to the Laysan albatross with Bird QR. DOWNLOAD FREE on iTunes and Android stores.
About the Author
Caren Loebel-Fried is an award-winning author and artist from Volcano, Hawai’i. Birds, conservation, and the natural world are the foundations for her work. Caren has created seven storybooks to date, including Hawaiian Legends of the Guardian Spirits and Lono and the Magical Land Beneath the Sea, which use the ancient art of block printing, taught to her by her mother. Caren’s books have been recipients of the American Folklore Society’s Aesop Prize for Children’s Folklore and the Hawai’i Book Publishers Association’s Ka Palapala Po’okela Awards.
In addition to books, Caren creates iconic, educational art for local and national conservation organizations and government agencies, including the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Kilauea Point Natural History Association, and Conservation Council for Hawai’i. In the Hawaiian rainforest, she lives among several native bird species, but lately seabirds have captured her imagination. Caren spent five weeks on Midway Atoll counting and researching albatrosses, and has been visiting other locations where new work is being done to help seabirds. Caren’s aim is to bring people, especially children, closer to the natural world with the hope that they will want to help care for it.
