SWAN

by Naomi Lewis ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 23, 1986

The life cycle of the Bewick swan, presented with striking fairy-tale-like illustrations. Lewis records the annual journey from Arctic regions to sanctuaries 2600 miles away, but her text lacks the vivid details which mark distinguished nature writing, and is understated: ""The birds are never out of danger. Freezing cold and exhaustion cause the death of two of the five cygnets."" The text, while brief, is not easy: ""More than a third of the total number of swans returning to the sanctuary are found to have shot in their tissues. Others are slowly poisoned by lead pellets; left from shooting and fishing, swallowed by birds in mistake for grave."" A visually attractive book, with beautifully painted illustrations in luminous pink, purple, and green and clean white space, but with limited use as a science title.

Pub Date: May 23, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION