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The author of this welcome book follows one Red Knot from its home, Tierra del Fuego, north to its breeding grounds near the Arctic Circle, clearly introducing the species and explaining this story to young readers. Carefully delineated drawings, beginning with a map on the title page, depict this incredible journey in colorful double-page spreads that illustrate the birds so accurately that a birder can easily identify the other shorebirds pictured as well. This is both a pleasure to look at and a source of useful information for classes studying ecology, birds or seasonal changes in the world.
Kirkus Reviews
Handsome illustrations, in what appears to be softly shaded colored pencil, present precise depictions of the red knot's appearance and activities within well-composed scenes showing a variety of habitats. Resembling an ornithologist's journal, the text consists of short entries that note the date and the bird's progress, behavior, and environment. The book concludes with a glossary, facts about scientists' banding of birds, and additional information about red knots. Easy to follow and informative.
Carolyn Phelan, Booklist
The smooth, simple text is complemented with well-composed, colored-pencil drawings. Factual notes are appended. This book will serve report writers and nature lovers well.
Nancy Call, School Library Journal
Bird migration is the subject of this beautiful book on bird life. This isn't a dry ecology book full of facts and figures. It's the kind of book your children will love and treasure for years to come.
The 2007 Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Best New Writing
Willis's full-page color art is the most realistically vivid we have seen in a children's book. Anyone who loved the movie "March of the Penguins" will follow Red Knot's adventure with equal amounts of anxiety, amazement and sheer delight.
Marah Coleman, Delmarva Quarterly
Knowledgeably written and expertly illustrated by Nancy Carol Willis, Red Knot: A Shorebird's Incredible Journey is the remarkable story of one bird's migration between South America's most southern tip, and the twenty-thousand miles she must travel to prepare a nest and raise her young. Enhanced with the inclusion of a glossary, annual timeline, as well as a range and route map, Red Knot is enthusiastically recommended for all young readers ages 6 to 9.
Small Press Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review
Red Knot: A Shorebird's Incredible Journey tells the dramatic tale of one bird's 20,000-mile migration. Since Red Knots make only a few stops along their route, their survival depends on having protected coastal sites with abundant food available, as in Delaware's Coastal Zone. This beautifully illustrated book teaches children about this amazing species, currently in serious decline, and the hardships it must overcome each year to nest and raise its young. As a long term protector of Delaware's wondrous Coastal Zone, I endorse this book and its clear and compelling conservation message.
Russell W. Peterson, Governor, State of Delaware, 1969-1973; President, National Audubon Society, 1979-1984
Nancy Carol Willis has captured the wonder of one of the most amazing animal journeys known to science, and has delivered a factually honest story of the migration by the Red Knot. In putting the story together, she has sought advice from me and other researchers of knots, as well as other people whose lives (and in some cases livelihoods) are touched by this bird that, twice each year, migrates between the southernmost lands of South America and some of the most northern lands of the Canadian Arctic. As an international migrant, special conservation challenges have faced this bird, whose populations recently have fallen precipitously. It has been a pleasure to watch how Ms. Willis has taken decades of research of such a wondrous animal and reduced it to an illustrated, simple and straightforward story of migration wonder with a conservation bent for children.
Brian Harrington, author of Flight of the Red Knot, WW Norton & Company, NY
I am really pleased that Nancy Carol Willis has written a book about the Red Knot. Its long-distance migration will prove inspiring to children, and its conservation plight will encourage them to care and take action. Willis' book brings children and their families close to the birds. She provides good information and creates a strong caring attitude. Willis' birds are beautifully drawn and are a great addition to the text. Her work will prove very important to the conservation efforts on behalf of the Red Knot.
Greg Butcher, Director of Bird Conservation, National Audubon Society
This lovely book gets the message across to children that we need to care for our environment if the animals we share this planet with are to survive. The epic journeys of these birds are explained in a way that is easy to understand and gives a feel for the trials they go through every year.
Nigel A. Clark, Head of Projects, British Trust for Ornithology
Red Knot: A Shorebird's Incredible Journey tells the amazing story of one individual of a species that is now in serious trouble. The Delaware Nature Society strongly endorses this timely book that will advance the education of children and adults about critical issues surrounding the annual shorebird and horseshoe crab migrations along Delaware Bay shores and specifically the plight of the Red Knot.
Michael E. Riska, Executive Director, Delaware Nature Society
This appealing nonfiction picture book offers a clear, detailed explanation of the unique journey the Red Knot must make in order to nest and raise young. Full page illustrations depicting various stages of the incredible trip, as well as predators, add to the drama of this exciting nature tale. A glossary and timeline are great additions and will appeal to older readers.
Karen Quinn, Assistant Director, Corbit-Calloway Library
The impact of the environment on endangered species comes to life for children in Nancy Carol Willis' book, Red Knot: A Shorebird's Incredible Journey. The journal-style narrative points out the strength and dangers of an awesome and brave feat that only nature could produce as a small bird takes an overwhelming trip in which Delaware Bay plays a key role.
Diana Taylor, Library Media Specialist, Holy Angels School
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