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. ( )

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 award-winning Lewins team tell of their experiences on patrol to rescue and reroute young puffins, called pufflings, on an island off the coast of Iceland. Laid out like a picture book, but with a dense quantity of text per spread and 52 instead of the standard 32 pages, there is much to take in, making this a picture book for older readers. (School districts who have adopted the Houghton-Mifflin literature series will find this to be a useful tie-in with the third grade basal, which also includes an informational text selection on pufflings.) Ted Lewin's richly-colored watercolors transport the reader halfway around the world, and back matter is comprised of additional information, references, and a glossary. Recommended. (86) ( )