Posted on July 23rd, 2014 by pajamapress
“Because of the effects of the now-outlawed pesticide, DDT, few peregrine falcon chicks were hatching in the wild in the 1970s, which resulted in the breed’s disappearance from much of North America. This story describes the challenges a mature male and female peregrine falcon face when raising their young in the wild, and the determined efforts of scientists and volunteers who appropriate their first clutch of eggs to a sanctuary where the chicks will have a better chance of survival.
Author-illustrator Celia Godkin, renowned for her award-winning picture books concerning environmental issues, once again inspires young readers with an informative account about the natural world – in this case the successful conservation of a species. The operation of a bird sanctuary is outlined, from the arrival of the peregrine eggs to the release of the chicks. Also included are additional facts and websites about these magnificent birds.
Godkin’s beautiful and dramatic oil-on-canvas illustrations, be they of the sweeping vistas in the wild or of the skyscraper-filled cities where peregrines thrive, depict these fascinating creatures from a variety of perspectives. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of the fragile balance and immense survival challenges facing this breed from egg to chick to adult, and how humans, ultimately, have the power to right the wrongs of the past in order to help these raptors, the fastest birds in the world, to flourish.”
— Senta Ross
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Posted in Skydiver | Tagged birds, canadian-childrens-book-news, celia-godkin, childrens-book, peregrine-falcons, picture-book, Review, senta-ross, skydiver
Posted on July 2nd, 2014 by pajamapress
“Threatened with extinction across North America, peregrine falcons were bred in captivity and provided with new territories until their populations rebounded.
Godkin begins her account of this environmental good news by introducing a peregrine pair who return from migration, court and lay eggs, only to have their first eggs taken by a rock-climbing human being…Dramatic oil paintings show falcons in various activities—soaring, diving, hunting and feeding their chicks—and chicks being fed in captivity…this success story will be welcomed by nature lovers. (Informational picture book. 4-7)”
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Posted in Skydiver | Tagged animal-protection, birds, celia-godkin, children, falcons, kirkus, non-fiction, peregrine-falcons, picture-book, Review, saving-the-fastest-bird-in-the-world, skydiver
Posted on April 28th, 2014 by pajamapress
“…The fastest bird in the world? I had no idea. It upped the ante to find our more about them. Find out more I did…The informative text and detailed accompanying artwork show young readers the birds in their airy habitat, on the edge of a rock ledge. After hunting for needed food, the male is on his way back to the nest when he spots people nearby. One of those people climbs down to the nest, carefully removes the eggs and climbs back to the top of the cliff…The author assures that her readers understand the danger that these beautiful birds have faced, and how their numbers are improving because of the care and concern shown by leading scientists.
An author’s note encourages readers to find out more and includes this startling statistic: ‘Estimates vary, but one National Geographic team clocked a peregrine in a power dive at 242 miles(387 kilometers) an hour.”
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Posted in Skydiver | Tagged celia-godkin, environmental, non-fiction, nonfiction, peregrine-falcons, picture-book, Review, sals-fiction-addiciton, saving-the-fastest-bird-int-the-world, science, skydiver