Puffins, written by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Maris Wicks. Raoring Brook Press, Mackids, Raincoast, 2026. $27.99 ages 5 and up

"Puffling peeps 
         and eats

and grows, 
        shedding its down 

for a sleek cape of gray. 

PEEP

But she's still very hungry. 

The action begins before the title page; an adult puffin circles in the air as it approaches a rocky shore where it lands with a bit of a bump on the ledge. It is the book's introduction to Maine's Eastern Egg Rock Island and a look at the shoreline as nesting season begins for this summer's puffin population. They are not the only seabirds, but they are abundant. 

It is a very noisy place and keeps them safe from land predators. Puffin mates meet, bill, and rub their beaks together. They have been here before. Inside 'a tent of boulders', the male makes the nest comfortable enough for the female to lay her first and only egg. Keeping that nest safe is the male's main responsibility, as both parents keep watch over the egg during its incubation. 

When that egg hatches, the puffling is ravenous! As Father Puffin broods, Mother Puffin flies off in search of food. She has all the features needed to dive deep, and fill her beak with the butterfish that are there to be captured. Unfortunately, the butterfish are too big for the puffling to swallow. 

"Warming waters have made butterfish
more plentiful than white hake

and herring, 

typical puffin prey.

It's still time to eat!"

The mother stays, and the father is off to gather sand lance for feeding their young. Without any warning, a herring gull swoops down to steal those fish from his beak. Father is undeterred, and heads back underwater to find herrings to satisfy his very hungry young one. As the puffling continues to grow, the parents often face danger as they do their best to keep it flourishing. 

The puffling becomes a Little Puffin, ready to fledge. She now faces her own dangers as she journeys to the rocky ledge, and looks out over a moonlit ocean. Little Puffin is now on her own to grow into an adult puffin, living only at sea for years. She has everything she needs to thrive, including a raft of puffins all in the same place as she is ... until it is time to return to where her life began, find a mate, and start the cycle all over again. 

The information provided is very accessible to a young audience because of its strong and appealing illustrations, and its storybook feel. It is a most welcome and engaging way to pass along many carefully researched facts. Back matter includes further facts about puffins and an explanation of the research the author and illustrator did to make this wonderful book a reality. They also offer suggestions for learning more and helping out. 

For a special surprise, remove the dust jacket to uncover a wonderful surprise on the case wrap!