Puffling

From the Publisher

Praise for Puffling:

“Human children, tiptoeing into an ever widening world, will find comfort and inspiration in this feathered family.”—The Washington Post

“Vivas's meticulously drafted pastels distinguish this coming-of-age story by the team behind Our Granny. … [M]ost will identify with his nascent sense of independence and adventure—and the confidence Puffling demonstrates when he successfully makes the big plunge.”—Publishers Weekly

“In a palette that moves from the warm browns of the burrow to the vibrant blues and greens of the ocean waves, the spacious pictures blend cozy with wild and, like the gentle words, show how nurturing gives an individual strength.”—Booklist, Starred Review

“This simple story finds originality and strength by refusing to assign gender roles, or even gender, to the puffling’s caregivers. Big Stripy Beak and Long Black Feather, in their quiet neutrality, allow readers to see exactly what parents of any age, gender or configuration do—feed, love and prepare their baby for that great race to the surf.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Illustrated in the rich browns of the burrow and dark blues of the ocean, Puffling beautifully tells the universal story of growth and maturity. Modern parents might learn a thing or two about raising children to be brave and strong so they will be ready for their own scary world. Puffling is a book to read over and over.”—BookPage

“This feel-good story about the early weeks in the life of a puffling offers children a glimpse at the bird’s life cycle and a predictable analogy between its loving family and those of readers.”—School Library Journal

“Margaret Wild, a leading Australian leading author of children's books has written another classic story of family love and having the courage to strike out alone.”—Ballarat Courier, Australia

“This is a story that is sure to touch everyone, parents and children alike.”—Bookseller & Publisher magazine, Australia

Kristi Jemtegaard

Julie Vivas's illustrations of the tiny Puffling, no more than a spherical fluff of feathers and feet, more than carry the day…Human children, tiptoeing into an ever widening world, will find comfort and inspiration in this feathered family.
—The Washington Post

Publishers Weekly

Vivas's meticulously drafted pastels distinguish this coming-of-age story by the team behind Our Granny. Big Stripy Beak and Long Black Feather, a pair of loving puffin parents, prepare Puffling for his launch into the wide world, where scary gulls wait just outside the opening of his burrow, and the sea, teeming with puffins, beckons beyond. The roundness of the birds' bellies is sculpted with hundreds of evenly stroked white lines, while glowing sea-green linework makes nocturnal scenes come alive. As Puffling grows, his parents feed him, coach him on what's to come (“When you are strong enough and tall enough and brave enough, you'll leave the burrow all by yourself”), and reassure him that all is going according to plan (“Am I brave enough?” Puffling asks. “Almost,” his parents reply). If some younger readers are disturbed by the parents flying away and leaving Puffling to brave the world on his own, most will identify with his nascent sense of independence and adventure—and the confidence Puffling demonstrates when he successfully makes the big plunge. Up to age 5. (Nov.)

Children's Literature - Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

Puffling, a puffin, hatches in the summer and is greeted by his parents Big Stripy Beak and Long Black Feather. They bring the hungry youngster food and warn him of the dangers outside the burrow. They tell him that when he is strong, tall, and brave enough, he can leave and paddle away. He keeps asking if he is there yet, but they only say, "…almost." Finally, one evening, they decide that he is strong, tall, and brave enough to leave; but, assure him that he will always be their own dear Puffling. Bravely, he avoids the scary gulls and paddles away to join new friends. One day, he will return to make his own burrow, remembering his parents. Vivas uses pastels and colored pencils to create textured, feathered characters that readers will want to reach out and pet. With a minimum of backgrounds, solid colors help depict the growth of this attractive, appealing bird. These are anatomically correct images, interpreted aesthetically with some human characteristics added, perhaps as an effort to create characters to which youngsters can relate. A note adds factual information. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1—This feel-good story about the early weeks in the life of a puffling offers children a glimpse at the bird's life cycle and a predictable analogy between its loving family and those of readers. Big Stripy Beak and Long Black Feather care for their hatchling in the burrow where they live and warn Puffling not to leave else he should fall prey to scary gulls that wait for such a misstep. The cute little puffling does as he's told and grows stronger, bigger, and braver until finally he is ready to leave his parents and join his friends in the sea, looking forward to making a family of his own. Vivas's lovely pastel and pencil illustrations manage to convey recognizable human emotions and still maintain their naturalistic integrity.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

Kirkus Reviews

When a baby puffin wonders when he can leave the burrow to explore the ocean, his parents Big Stripy Beak and Long Black Feather say that he must be "strong enough and tall enough and brave enough." Gulls circle outside, waiting for a baby who isn't quite ready for the dash to the sea. Every day Puffling asks his caregivers to assess his progress, which will ring true with young readers eager themselves to finally be strong, tall and brave enough. Vivas's pastel-and-watercolor pencil illustrations in rusts, oranges, blacks and blues evoke the cozy shelter of the burrow, the comforting canopy of night and the security of family. The parent puffins' jovial expressions and the baby's adorable, wobbly stances make these odd little birds feel familiar. This simple story finds originality and strength by refusing to assign gender roles, or even gender, to the puffling's caregivers. Big Stripy Beak and Long Black Feather, in their quiet neutrality, allow readers to see exactly what parents of any age, gender or configuration do-feed, love and prepare their baby for that great race to the surf. (note on puffins) (Picture book. 2-5)