Puffin

Conversational first-person narration enthusiastically presents a documentary-style introduction to puffins in this picture book. Via type and handwritten text, a speaker announces appreciation for their subject at the start: “But of all the different seabirds, there is one kind that’s my absolute favorite”: puffins. Following pages describe the birds’ springtime arrival on land, and two mates greeting each other before they begin inspecting and preparing their burrow. When Desmond’s varied ink, watercolor, and acrylic scenes show the birds flying about, commentary invites the reader to investigate (“Let’s take a peek!”), and then exclaims upon the discovery of a single egg (“One of them is sitting on an egg!”). The arrival of the chick leads to many views of fish-filled beaks (“Food! Hooray! More!”), and an encounter with an Arctic skua in search of a meal. Final scenes of the youth’s quiet solitary departure capture the triumph of independence. Further information concludes. Ages 5–7. (Oct.)