Saturday, April 20, 2013

Loon Baby by Molly Beth Griffin

Loon Baby By Molly Beth Griffin.  Illustrated by Anne Hunter

Loon Baby is a sweet, endearing story that begins with Loon Baby snuggled in his nest with his mother.

"In the great north woods
by a little round lake
in a soft, warm nest,
a baby loon lived with his mother." pg. 1

Loon baby is looking for his mother.  She dove into the deep lake for Baby's dinner and she hasn't come back yet.  Loon Baby is worried and searching for her.  He dips his head in the murky green lake but he cannot dive yet.  So he waits, and floats and paddles in circles.  Loon Baby is a story about the love a child has for it's mother.

The artwork is full of beautiful watercolors is done in blue and green tones.  The artwork contains some animals and lake creatures of the north, like fish, turtles, moose and a bear.  The effect of the cool watercolors is calming and soothing.

The loon is the Minnesota state bird and while the loon travels south for the winter, hearing their lonesome beautiful call in the morning is a soulful sound.  I could listen to the loons sing all day, it is so memorable.

Griffin has crafted a lovely story for families who love nature and animals.  Loon Baby is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers as the text is poetic and repetitive.  Loon Baby will make the perfect gift for a new mother and it is meant for someone who owns a cabin and can hear the loons call.  Loon Baby reminds me of summer at the lake when I was a child.  I wish I had this book when my kids were young.  They would have adored it.