LOON SUMMER

Intriguing loons are the focus of Fast’s informative book of poetry and photos.

Loons arrive to northern lakes in the summertime, once the ice has melted. In these pages, the author conjures the beauty of these waterbirds using poems, images, and descriptive text in a format that will appeal to readers of all ages. Following each poem is more detailed and enriching information. For example, the first work, “Waiting,” is short and poignant:“Lake still frozen. / Overhead, loons call. / Waiting.” Further text notes that “Loons fly overhead looking for open water. As soon as the lakes open, they descend.” The “belly-slide” of landing on water is described in detail in “Loons Land.” Readers also learn about the five different types of this bird species, including the common loon in a poem by that name. Others focus on loon songs or calls, including hoots, peeps, wails, yodels, and tremolos. Fast’s descriptions of each employ compelling language, as in “Wail”: “Loon’s voice escalates, / reverberates, dissipates, / quieting all sounds.” The tremolo call is depicted eerily: “Peals out agony, cries out woe / startling, haunting tremolo”; the sound “tells of danger / speaks distress.” In “Loon Party,” readers learn that loons gathering in groups signals the end of summer and colder weather; many will find it interesting to learn that “Adults leave first; the chicks follow a few weeks later” in November. Youngsters may particularly enjoy learning about loon young and how much they depend on their mothers, often hitching a ride on “Mama’s back.” Throughout, readers will be drawn to the beauty of Schoch’s full-color photographs; a magnificent example is an image of a loon nest, featuring a female loon with an egg; it, along with the other photos, enhances the poetry and other text.

A loon’s summer is spectacular to observe in this educational work.