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Puffling Patrol
Every April, the Westman Islands off the coast of Iceland become home to hundreds of thousands of puffins, small black-and-white seabirds with colorful bills. They spend the summer on the rocky cliffs of the islands, caring for their newly hatched chicks. By the middle of August, it is time for the young puffins, called pufflings, to make their way to the sea. And that is when the children of The Puffling Patrol are called to action.
Ted and Betsy Lewin have journeyed to the Westman Islands to experience The Puffling Patrol’s endeavors firsthand. In the company of Erna, Dáni, and their father, they drive through town at night, carefully searching for confused little birds that have glided down onto the streets instead of out to sea. Will the children find the pufflings before the birds encounter danger? Will the pufflings ever make it to the sea to spend their lives with other puffins in the North Atlantic Ocean?
The fascinating story of this unique annual rescue, combined with Ted Lewin’s dramatic paintings and Betsy Lewin’s lively field sketches, is sure to make Puffling Patrol a hit with animal lovers of all ages.
Ted and Betsy Lewin have journeyed to the Westman Islands to experience The Puffling Patrol’s endeavors firsthand. In the company of Erna, Dáni, and their father, they drive through town at night, carefully searching for confused little birds that have glided down onto the streets instead of out to sea. Will the children find the pufflings before the birds encounter danger? Will the pufflings ever make it to the sea to spend their lives with other puffins in the North Atlantic Ocean?
The fascinating story of this unique annual rescue, combined with Ted Lewin’s dramatic paintings and Betsy Lewin’s lively field sketches, is sure to make Puffling Patrol a hit with animal lovers of all ages.
56 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2012
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 16, 2023
Loved reading to the kiddo I always considered my little puffling. A little bit long or technical in some places for my 4 year old, but still a cool story with some important conservation implications.
xx-dnf-skim-reference
August 24, 2023Wonderful art if you like that sort of thing. Too long for me to read, as I'm not particularly interested in this sort of non-fiction. Extra notes front and back. August 2023
August 14, 2012
Did you know those cute fluffy babies were called pufflings? Ted and Betsy Lewin made a trip out to Iceland's Westman Islands to find out more about these baby birds and their survival. They visit the islands, by zodiac over rough seas, and get so see firsthand the cliffs, where, in the spring, the puffins dig their burrows to hatch and raise their offspring. By August, the pufflings are ready, or most are, to fend for themselves. While many pufflings head straight out to sea, some, confused by the town's lights, and maybe with wings not quite strong enough yet, head inland, and the local phenomenen of 'it's raining pufflings' occurs.
After a visit to the Natural History Museum, which acts as the puffling center, and they see their first puffling rescue, brought in the previous night. The Lewins link up with 8 year-old twins, Danni and Enna, who, along with many other local children, are key players in the summer "Puffling Patrol." This is a community of solidarity - 'their real love is for puffins, that small chunky black and white seabird."
The kids (and parents) set out after 10:00PM wrapped up well for a summer icelandic evening, and the pouring rain! Danni has eagle eyes. The previous year he had rescued 27 in one evening. I was surprised to see that the children are allowed to handle and cuddle these pufflings, as generally human contact is minimized when working with animals one is returning to the wild. I am assuming it is less important with birds than with mammals. My favorite scene is the next morning, when, the pufflings found the night before, having been checked for size and health and registered, are released on the beach. "EINN, TVEIR and PRIR" the children hold the pufflings aloft to get them flapping their wings, then release them.
Why I like this Book: While some of the illustrations are reminiscent of Betsy's most famous work, Clack Clack Moo, most are exquisite landscapes, seascapes and close-ups of these beautiful birds. The subtle artwork, on every page, draws you into this northerly nation with its dependence on the sea, and especially invites you into this small community. One of the appeals for me was how involved the entire community is in caring for these birds, including the children, who are so often excluded from conservation projects. I would have loved to have been a member of the puffling patrol as a kid. I suspect that most children could not locate Iceland on a map, and any good book that helps broaden children's cross cultural awareness, is valuable.
There are excellent factual details about emigration, habitat, threats etc woven naturally into the body of the story. Additionaly there are three pages at the back on more puffin facts; one page on the 1973 earthquake, a page Vestmannaeylers' puffins today and a glossary & pronunciation guide. This would be a great classroom resource as well as a good choice for kids who like more factual narrative and enjoy extra information. It would fit well into any teaching unit at school or home on: puffins, bird migration, animal conservation or island life.
After a visit to the Natural History Museum, which acts as the puffling center, and they see their first puffling rescue, brought in the previous night. The Lewins link up with 8 year-old twins, Danni and Enna, who, along with many other local children, are key players in the summer "Puffling Patrol." This is a community of solidarity - 'their real love is for puffins, that small chunky black and white seabird."
The kids (and parents) set out after 10:00PM wrapped up well for a summer icelandic evening, and the pouring rain! Danni has eagle eyes. The previous year he had rescued 27 in one evening. I was surprised to see that the children are allowed to handle and cuddle these pufflings, as generally human contact is minimized when working with animals one is returning to the wild. I am assuming it is less important with birds than with mammals. My favorite scene is the next morning, when, the pufflings found the night before, having been checked for size and health and registered, are released on the beach. "EINN, TVEIR and PRIR" the children hold the pufflings aloft to get them flapping their wings, then release them.
Why I like this Book: While some of the illustrations are reminiscent of Betsy's most famous work, Clack Clack Moo, most are exquisite landscapes, seascapes and close-ups of these beautiful birds. The subtle artwork, on every page, draws you into this northerly nation with its dependence on the sea, and especially invites you into this small community. One of the appeals for me was how involved the entire community is in caring for these birds, including the children, who are so often excluded from conservation projects. I would have loved to have been a member of the puffling patrol as a kid. I suspect that most children could not locate Iceland on a map, and any good book that helps broaden children's cross cultural awareness, is valuable.
There are excellent factual details about emigration, habitat, threats etc woven naturally into the body of the story. Additionaly there are three pages at the back on more puffin facts; one page on the 1973 earthquake, a page Vestmannaeylers' puffins today and a glossary & pronunciation guide. This would be a great classroom resource as well as a good choice for kids who like more factual narrative and enjoy extra information. It would fit well into any teaching unit at school or home on: puffins, bird migration, animal conservation or island life.
April 9, 2012
Travelling round Iceland in the summer of 2006, we spent a couple of wonderful days on the small island of Heimaey. In a little cafe by the harbour, we spotted some colourful signs with numbers counting down the days to... something. We didn't know what. When we asked the proprietor, expecting perhaps a sporting event or a festival, we were surprised to learn about pufflings (baby puffins) and how they regularly get confused by the lights and fly into town. The countdown was for the beginning of the annual puffling rescue season, when the local children go out at night to pick up lost birds and return them to the sea.
Remembering that trip, and considering that puffins are my favourite bird, I knew I'd love this book as soon as I heard the title. It's fair to say I had high expectations, but the beautiful illustrations surpassed even my hopes, capturing in vivid detail everything from the windswept coastlines to the urban landscape - and, of course, the birds themselves. The narrative begins as an account of the authors' experiences visiting Iceland, and gradually moves to focus more closely on two children taking part in the Puffling Patrol. But this is a book of few words: the gorgeous pictures do most of the talking.
As well as the story of the puffling rescue, there are a couple of pages of puffin facts at the end. I was sad to learn that the puffin population on Heimaey has been decreasing - with the result that only ten pufflings were found and rescued in 2010 (from about 1600 in '07). I'd been hoping to return one day in the rescue season; if that's now less likely, then I'm doubly glad that the story has been captured for posterity in this beautiful book.
Remembering that trip, and considering that puffins are my favourite bird, I knew I'd love this book as soon as I heard the title. It's fair to say I had high expectations, but the beautiful illustrations surpassed even my hopes, capturing in vivid detail everything from the windswept coastlines to the urban landscape - and, of course, the birds themselves. The narrative begins as an account of the authors' experiences visiting Iceland, and gradually moves to focus more closely on two children taking part in the Puffling Patrol. But this is a book of few words: the gorgeous pictures do most of the talking.
As well as the story of the puffling rescue, there are a couple of pages of puffin facts at the end. I was sad to learn that the puffin population on Heimaey has been decreasing - with the result that only ten pufflings were found and rescued in 2010 (from about 1600 in '07). I'd been hoping to return one day in the rescue season; if that's now less likely, then I'm doubly glad that the story has been captured for posterity in this beautiful book.
January 26, 2016
A simple, easy-to-read book with beautiful artistry, a great way to learn to learn about animals. The authors recount their puffling rescue experience on a visit to Heimaey, an island off of Iceland. This is a wonderful book to show kids that they too can make a difference in the world. The yearly puffling rescue is something that the whole community young and old partake in. I especially liked that it was Dani, an eight-year old, that had “Eagle Eyes” in spotting the lost birds.
The illustrations are the gem of this book. The two styles of Ted and Betsy Lewin, blend together seamlessly. Betsy’s spot illustrations are cute and playful, reminiscent of her work in the Click Clack Moo series. Ted’s larger photographic styled illustrations of the pufflings bring out the exquisiteness of these birds.
The story is told in first-person narrative, giving readers a feeling that they are right there experiencing the rescue first-hand. Unfortunately, the scene-by-scene narration also slowed down the pacing. The text at times seemed wordy.
The end pages are packed with information, puffin facts, information about the volcano on Heimaey, and a glossary. The book can be used in classrooms to supplement discussions on animal conservation, birds, and Iceland.
Click here for the original review and activity ideas at Flowering Minds.
The illustrations are the gem of this book. The two styles of Ted and Betsy Lewin, blend together seamlessly. Betsy’s spot illustrations are cute and playful, reminiscent of her work in the Click Clack Moo series. Ted’s larger photographic styled illustrations of the pufflings bring out the exquisiteness of these birds.
The story is told in first-person narrative, giving readers a feeling that they are right there experiencing the rescue first-hand. Unfortunately, the scene-by-scene narration also slowed down the pacing. The text at times seemed wordy.
The end pages are packed with information, puffin facts, information about the volcano on Heimaey, and a glossary. The book can be used in classrooms to supplement discussions on animal conservation, birds, and Iceland.
Click here for the original review and activity ideas at Flowering Minds.
May 8, 2014
Each year thousands upon thousands of puffins breed on Heimaey, a small island off the coast of Iceland. When the baby puffins, the pufflings, are ready to be on their own, many get confused by town lights and become lost. The children of the town are part of the Puffling Patrol, organized to rescue the pufflings and take them back to the sea where they will live until they're old enough to return to Heimaey and build nests of their own.
The story begins with information about the island of Heimaey and then focuses on Dani and Erna, two children who are part of the Puffling Patrol and who eagerly await the pufflings' arrival. The children (with their parents) stay out late looking for the lost pufflings. They take them home to be fed and housed for the night and then to the Natural History Museum in the morning to be measured and weighed. Finally the tiny birds are taken to the seashore and released.
A few other chicks are cared for as well--young kittiwakes and fulmars--and the whole town is involved in the rescue.
Beautifully illustrated with a combination of exuberant watercolors and delicate pen and ink drawings, the illustrations carry the story. There are appendices at the back which include general puffin facts, information about a volcanic eruption on Heimaey 40 years ago, and the state of puffins today.
Nonfiction. Extremely interesting, probably 2nd grade and up.
The story begins with information about the island of Heimaey and then focuses on Dani and Erna, two children who are part of the Puffling Patrol and who eagerly await the pufflings' arrival. The children (with their parents) stay out late looking for the lost pufflings. They take them home to be fed and housed for the night and then to the Natural History Museum in the morning to be measured and weighed. Finally the tiny birds are taken to the seashore and released.
A few other chicks are cared for as well--young kittiwakes and fulmars--and the whole town is involved in the rescue.
Beautifully illustrated with a combination of exuberant watercolors and delicate pen and ink drawings, the illustrations carry the story. There are appendices at the back which include general puffin facts, information about a volcanic eruption on Heimaey 40 years ago, and the state of puffins today.
Nonfiction. Extremely interesting, probably 2nd grade and up.
April 14, 2012
Get ready for a most delightful journey to a new and wonderful place as you step into the boat on your way to the island of Heimaey. There aren't many books like this one. Dive in and enjoy each luminous moment to the fullest! This story is related by the Lewins as a nonfiction narrative of a day searching for "pufflings," baby puffins who need help getting to their ocean home. Watercolor illustrations not only glow with color and life but they also evoke a real feeling of place, of each moment of experience. The story is shared so clearly, relating events through the eyes of the narrators, and yet it retains a sort of magic as we read and gaze... Two young children brave the cold and the dark to search in their turn for the pufflings, as each year the children of the village take their turn at this vital job. Some of the pages are densely texted on one side with artwork on the facing page,some contain text interspersed with pen/ink and watercolor thumbnail sketches; still others are two-page spreads which draw the reader in to glory in the richness of color and gesture. Facts about Atlantic Puffins, history of the locale and a glossary with pronunciation guide all make this a wonderful choice for any young reader of nonfiction. The narrative is top-notch, but the paintings stole my heart.
February 4, 2014
Once again the Lewin's produce a gorgeous book, in both illustration, text, and content which focuses on the theme of community service. They journeyed to the Westman Islands, off the coast of Iceland, to observe the annual puffin rescue, called the Puffling Patrol, that the children conduct each year. After the puffins are hatched in April on the rocky cliffs, in August they must make the dangerous journey to the sea. Told through the experiences of twins Dani and Erna, and researchers, Ruth and Kristjan, the Puffling Patrol's goal is to seek and save the confused pufflings who end up on the streets rather than the sea. Watercolor illustrations, including the endpapers, capture the puffins, the details of their rescue, the Icelandic climate and habitat, and the children. Besides the information on this project, Information is provided on pages "Atlantic Puffin Facts", "The Volcano of 1973", and "Vestmannaeyjar's Puffins Today." A glossary, pronunciation guide, maps and a list for further reading are included.
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August 24, 2012This is a beautiful addition to books about Puffling Patrols. Betsy Lewin's paintings are delectable. The fact that she uses different styles of illustration throughout the book might bother some, but I found it dynamic and spot on. Some of the paintings are breathtakingly detailed. These paintings are amazing studies of light and shadow. Other paintings are more impressionistic. These paintings match the text perfectly. Others paintings are more like sketches. Again, these perfectly fit the topic they are paired with. The many styles of illustrations mirror the variety of experiences described. Personally, I interpreted the style as matching the feelings of the author and illustrator as they described the experiences they had in Iceland.
This book is definitely on my purchase list. Another great book showing how people can take active roles in the environment around them. Great illustrations of how kids can make a difference.
This book is definitely on my purchase list. Another great book showing how people can take active roles in the environment around them. Great illustrations of how kids can make a difference.
December 11, 2012
Based on their own trip to Iceland, the Lewins describe community efforts involving local children to save the baby puffins, newly hatched chicks called pufflings, who become disoriented and often wander away from the sea and end up on the town's streets. Twins Dani and Erna drive along the streets with their families in search of pufflings in need of rescue. This picture book, filled with watercolor illustrations and pen, ink, and watercolor sketches of the birds, is memorable for the way the adventures of one night and one brief period of time are described and for the images that are sure to prompt readers to fall in love with the pufflings and ponder their future. The text and the backmatter include information about the decrease in the birds' food, possibly caused by global warmimg as well as other factors that threaten the puffins' survival. This would be a useful title for a science classroom.
December 8, 2012
Who needs to travel when there are books like Ted and Betsy Lewin's Puffling Patrol? This time the Lewins take us to a group of islands off the coast of Iceland where thousands of puffins spend their summer raising their chicks. In August the chicks, called pufflings, must go to sea and the children of the islands go to work to help the pufflings.
The illustrations are a perfect mix of large startlingly realistic paintings (Ted, I think) and quick friendly small sketches (Betsy?). Who could not be charmed by this small story of courage and patience with these brilliant illustrations?
The illustrations are a perfect mix of large startlingly realistic paintings (Ted, I think) and quick friendly small sketches (Betsy?). Who could not be charmed by this small story of courage and patience with these brilliant illustrations?
July 31, 2012
My first thought was that I wished there were actual photographs instead of illustrations. That changed by the time I reached page three. The illustrations are very life-like and full of colorful oranges, reds, and blues. The faces of the two children are so detailed that they could almost be photos. The story follows the authors to a small island in Iceland where the residents rescue baby puffins that don't make it out to see. A great nonfiction piece for Common Core.
February 28, 2013
After being disappointed at not seeing any puffins in the wild during a recent trip to Oregon, I now have a new puffin destination thanks to the Lewins. When can I get to Iceland? This book has great information on puffins in the back matter and a fascinating account of how the authors helped save the pufflings one summer.
May 12, 2014
Beautiful watercolor and ink illustrations tell the non-fiction rescue story connected with Iceland Atlantic puffin chicks who often make a wrong turn, on their way to the sea in August, and wind up in towns instead. Kids in grades 2-4 will love it and their parents/teachers will like the additional information on Atlantic Puffins, Iceland volcanoes and glossary/pronunciation guide at the end.
January 10, 2016
The nonfiction text comes to life in fully developed illustrations and sketchy images placing this remarkable "kid-power" report in context. Pair this with Doyli to the Rescue: Saving Baby Monkeys in the Amazon (Cathleen Burnham) to explore habitats, threats of extinction, environmental elements, geography, and ways even kids can make the world a better, safer, place for animals.
February 26, 2013
Beautiful watercolor illustrations accompany a story with appeal for budding scientists. This might also work for those educators seeking books that feature community-minded children making a difference.
May 10, 2012
Delightful!
July 3, 2012
Totally forgot this was on my library book pile until I read Bookends' review online this morning. As usual, the Lewins created another gorgeous book.
May 8, 2017
Beautiful book! Very informative with gorgeous illustrations. Lots of supplementary information and a glossary.
August 14, 2014
Wonderful illustrated account of the trip the author and illustrator made to Iceland to see children of the Puffling Patrol engaged in a unique annual rescue of newly hatched puffin chicks.
December 8, 2012
A marvelous book based on the author and illustrator's real experiences with the Puffling Patrol during a visit to Iceland in 2008.
February 27, 2013
Like that there's a nice, readable story but LOTS of great facts in the back to answer all the questions kids might come up with while reading the story. Great pictures to look at, too!
March 23, 2013
Great Book.
May 3, 2013
Interesting story by two classic children author/illustrators. I think young readers will enjoy that the patrol is comprised of island children.
July 19, 2013
I wish this book had real photographs and not drawings - otherwise a great read!
February 19, 2016
Cute story but super wordy.
December 23, 2021
A nonfiction book with stunning art
September 23, 2012
Beautiful! Love the ecology and I'd put it in the Caldecott contender pile.
August 25, 2014
Fascinating information. Beautiful watercolor and ink paintings and sketches.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews