Whistling Wings
by: Laura Goering; Illustrated by Laura Jacques
Published by: Sylvan Dell Publishing (August 10 release)
Buy From Amazon.com
Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
No one in the publishing industry does beautifully illustrated, fun-filled, educational children’s books like Sylvan Dell does. They are a joy to read and one never considers tossing them into the garage sale “free” bin. Not ever!
Whistling Wings is no exception. Written by a professor of Russian language and literature at Carlton College in Minnesota, Laura Goering gives children (and adults) an exciting story that also educates ever so subtly.
Marcel is a very young tundra swan who is weary from the journey required to migrate. The thousands of miles are long and tedious. Without thinking about consequences, Marcel hides so the other swans (including his parents) leave to fly south without him. It’s not very long before Marcel understands that he’s not meant to live on the ice.
A variety of animals offer him suggestions about surviving the winter, but the suggestions are how they survive and not suited at all for a swan. Marcel realizes he made a big mistake and there’s no undoing that mistake. Or is there? Okay, you know what the next line is. You have to read the story to discover if Marcel is able to escape the deadly winter and join his parents and flock in the sunny south.
Writing a good story for children is important, but the illustrations really sell a book–and Laura Jacques illustrations are breathtaking. The pictures are simply meant to be framed, and the fact that they are in a children’s book, is a bonus for everyone.
All of Sylvan Dell books offer great information and fun facts about their books’ subject matter. There is always a section at the end of the story devoted to that. As an added bonus, readers can also go to their web site for some teaching activities, interactive quizzes and other resources for learning.
Armchair Interviews says: Every library and school should have this book. Oh, it should also be in every child’s personal library.
Publisher’s Web site: http://www.SylvanDellPublishing.com
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