Did you know there are unique relationships where one species forms a close bond with another species?
Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons, written by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis is a nonfiction narrative picture book that shares a true story of a duckling raised by loon parents on a Wisconsin lake.
The author captures this unique and amazing story discovered by scientists. Researchers of the Loon Project were amazed to find a pair of loons caring for a duckling, not a loon chick. Loons usually drive off mallards but these loons adopted a mallard duckling and were raising it.
This thirty-two-page lyrical picture book supports the STEM curriculum with facts, a timeline, beautiful illustrations, and back matter. The Venn diagram is an excellent tool to compare the similarities and contrast differences between a Loon and Mallard.
Reading nonfiction helps bring the world into perspective for readers and nonfiction picture books celebrate the joy of storytelling through photographs and illustrations.
Laura also wrote a creative nonfiction book Secrets of the Loon, a poetic, scientifically accurate picture book in 2022.
The Loon Project website states: “As scientists, we commonly use the very powerful words: ‘we do not know.'” Director Walter Piper and his team observed and documented the behaviors of this family of three.
Thank you, Laura, for the signed f & g (folded and gathered) copy of Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons and bookmarks.
Laura is the author of more than one hundred books for children. Loon-related resources are included on Laura’s website.
The illustrator, Alexandria is a fine artist and illustrator.
https://www.alexneonakis.com/new-gallery-1Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons is scheduled to make a debut on March 7, 2023.
April 4, 2023 Update: Read an interview with Laura Purdie Salas on Picture Book Builders with Jill Esbaum.
Book giveaway! FINDING FAMILY – The Duckling Raised by Loons + an interview with Laura Purdie Salas
Through the Prairie Garden Gate 
Thank you so much for sharing Finding Family, Suzy! I’m really glad you enjoyed it :>)
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Thank you, Laura. My pleasure to share the story FINDING FAMILY: THE DUCKLING RAISED BY LOONS.
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