Loons: Diving Birds of the North

If you quickly thumb through this attractive book using your left thumb, you are visually overwhelmed by twenty-six brilliantly illustrated paintings of loons in various activities such as diving, flying, nesting, and raising their chicks. On the other hand, if you use your right thumb, you are rewarded with clear and concise one-page descriptions of loon lore, as well as eye-catching "Loonphabet" illustrations for the opening letters at the top of each page. This is a stunning book all ages will enjoy. Author Donna Love and illustrator Joyce Turley have created an intimate "come-on-in" atmosphere surrounding the intriguing world of loons. Donna uses direct down-to-earth prose that give you a basic understanding of their fascinating world. For instance, you learn that a loon has four calls: the tremulo, the wail, the hoot, and the yodel. Each is briefly and clearly described. You learn of the "looney", Canada's unique one dollar coin with the a loon imprinted on it. You also learn of loons' sensitivity to human activity. They have already disappeared from Colorado and Oregon. Illustrator Turley has picked up on the key features of the text and illustrates them on the facing pages. She goes beyond mere photographic detail and adds compelling artistic touches that visually authenticate the scenes. The accuracy of the inset pictures of loon's eyes and feathers hint of her precise engineering background. Overall the effect of her paintings is exhilarating and inspiring. They make you want to know more about loons and you are literally drawn to read the words on the opposite page. OK, I'll admit it. Joyce is my daughter. So don't take my word for it. Just pick up this book and give it the "thumb test". I suspect that you will be tempted to buy it based solely on its artistic merit, its well-worded information, and its reasonable price.