I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
The book tells the story of a duckling that was raised by loons. After the story, the author provides information about the real case that the story is based on. They also include information about the differences between mallard ducks and loons.

test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test

This gorgeously illustrated picture book tells the true story of a baby mallard duck that was adopted and raised by a pair of loons on a lake in Wisconsin. Well researched, I liked that it included the accurate ending of "we don't know" what happened to all three birds after the summer they were observed by scientists (rather than making up a happy ending for the kids!). Nature is fascinating, and scientists don't know why loons have on rare occasion raised orphaned mallard ducklings and I hope this book serves to inspire the next generation of ornithologists!

This will be on my order list next month, as I loved the story, the illustrations, and the facts that both inspired the story as well as informed the reader about these birds that they may often see but not know much about. This is perfect for children who enjoy unlikely pairings of animals, and would be a great follow up to fiction books such as Make Way for Ducklings or Charlotte's Web.

I highly recommend this book for schools and libraries!

Finding Family is a wonderful children's book with a sweet story, educational information, and stunning illustrations.

My family loves loons. We have a lake house and every year, loons return to mate and raise their families. It's always so special seeing the babies grow and we look forward to seeing them return year after year.

When I saw Finding Family hit shelves, I knew I needed to own it and I'm so happy I did. This wonderful children's book is based on a true story of a loon pair that raised a mallard duckling. Heartwarming stories of animal species intermingle and thrive always make me so happy so I was especially drawn to this story knowing it was based on truth.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, as evidenced by the cover. The colors are vivid and the detail is accurate and breathtaking.

This is a special story and one I will enjoy reading repeatedly with my son.

Thank you to Millbrook Press and NetGalley for the ecopy. This is one I definitely recommend purchasing in hard copy for your collection.

Ah, the sweetest story of a nature adoption! Lovely illustrations and story told in verse. Highly recommended picture book.

I loved the digital art/ paint brush strokes illustration style. I enjoyed learning at the end that this was based on a true story. A very heartwarming story about found family. This really resonated with me because I was adopted when I was younger. I love birdwatching, non-fiction, and art so this book hit every nail on the head for me. The information on the backstory and other nature facts were the icing on the cake!

Thank you to the publishers and Laura Purdie Salas for allowing me to view this book.

What a sweet beautiful story. I had no idea there was such a huge difference between ducks. The ending of the book that explains “the real story” is so cute. I could have done with out the dates during the story as they didn’t add any benefit.

Loons are one of my birding goals and I hope to some day be able to see them in real life while hearing their calls in the wild. The thought about a loon couple raising a duck really interested me, which is why I chose this book and hoped that it was actually based on real events.

Fortunately it is most definitely based on real events while the dates on the pages reflect on the date for the reports that were being referenced. Furthermore in the back of the book is an actual whole page dedicated to telling a bit more about the events that unfolded in the story. Furthermore there is also an additional paragraph that goes into detail about a certain event in the story for those who may want to know more as well as a Venn diagram comparing as well as contrasting the two species.

<i>Finding Family</i> is written with a bunch of text but basically composed with simple sentences that focus on the characters in the family. As such young readers may need some assistance with words but it should be otherwise a very simple read.

And what to me is simply amazing is the artwork itself. Beautiful, soft at times, magical and colorful the reader will be taken into this natural landscape of Wisconsin as they are brought into this amazing family story.

This will be one amazing treasure to have on your shelves and to share with family, especially when everyone needs just that bit of a reminder that family is truly magical even if it may not be
the family that you were wanting and that adaptability is never too far out of grasp.

**I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

A mallard chick is adopted by two loons who might have lost their own baby. This moving story is based on a true story observed by the Loon Project in 2019.

This book is a great opportunity to discuss poetry with children and a story based on a true story. The story is told in verse and with great painting-like illustrations.

Apparently, loons and mallards are not the best of friends, so the observers of the lake in Wisconsin were shocked when two loon parents adopted a baby mallard. The mallard rode piggyback style on its parents and looked for food together.

The end of the book provides a background of the true story and a comparison between the two species.

I wasn't prepared for this true story to get me weepy-eyed thinking about the fragility of permanence or our adopted families in our lives. I was touched by the true story like many bird watchers across America apparently were.

I think my kids would love to hear such a touching true story and learn more about the little family that defied its instincts to spend at least one season together on this lake.

Thank you to NetGalley and Milbrook Press for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

The story is incredibly well done and illustrated. After this almost incredible tale are explanations and teaching moments followed by imminently respectable bibliography and further reading that truly support the veracity of this incredible time in the lives of a few of our favorite avian friends.
The illustrations by Alexandria Neonakis are nearly realistic, looking like the Northwoods I know, and love!
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Lerner Publishing Group/Millbrook Press ™ via NetGalley. Thank you!
Disclaimer: I live in Wisconsin and also love Duluth, MN.

This book was great for my 3 year old. The illustrations were beautiful, and the story kept her interest and also had a good message.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. A true story about a pair of loons who lose their eggs to an animal and end up raising a mallard duckling.

**Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an ARC copy of this book. This is my honest review**

When I worked as a national park interpretation ranger, I was designing a program for families educating about our local loons. At the time, loon-based literature was difficult to find, especially in a short enough format to fit into our program. This book would have been a fantastic resource!

The illustrations were beautiful and it read smoothly. I loved that the author didn't try to make up an ending but honestly said "we don't know what happened but that's okay." It was a great, kid-friendly telling of a true event. Also I appreciated the backmatter where we got more information about the true story and also about loon behavior. The only thing I would have added was some information about not disturbing or chasing loons. Disturbances such as kayakers, swimmers, fireworks, and boats are a big cause of loon parent's abandoning their nests or needing to lure away these dangers and leaving the nest exposed to predators.

I would definitely pick this book up for my own library or give it as a gift to any animal loving family/child.

A cute story for kids. The art was awesome, and I liked the way the words went. The story mostly suited for young kids and it is nice to find out that a different species of bird is raising another species.

I was excited to read this book, but I do not think it will hold the attention of our young readers. The concept of the book is great, but I felt it was dry writing for a children's book. The illustrations were ok, but rather lackluster. I would have preferred actual pictures of ducks as opposed to the current illustrations. A cute book if you really love ducks, but otherwise it left something to be desired.

As a wildlife rehabber, I was immediately drawn to Finding Family because I know that the chances of loons caring for a mallard is slim. I was delighted to read this true story about dueling natural instincts. An unlikely trio, a found family, a lesson in how it's okay to say "I don't know." I was happy to see a photo of the real life waterfowl that inspired the tale and to read about the Loom Project! This is a great book for little kids to learn the beginnings of nature and for older kids to learn more in depth about the difference between these 2 very different species! A great read for the entire family!

This is a gorgeous nonfiction book. I loved the poetic (but not rhyming) language. I think this would be great to read aloud to elementary age children. It had everything I wanted including information and a photo of the real life animals and more information to explore about mallards and loons.

Several years ago, a friend called to ask if I can take in two orphaned mallard ducklings she found at a park. I took them in even though I had no clue how to raise ducks. In the end, they kind of showed me the way. That summer, I probably hung out by a little creek behind my house all day, and every day watching them swim and find things to eat. It was such a joy. I cherish that experience to this day.

"Finding Family" is a lovely nonfiction book for children. I adore this book not only because of my love for mallards but because this shows how "love is blind". This is a true story that researchers witnessed in Wisconsin in 2019. These two species don't get along but the loon couple adopted a mallard duckling. I learned a lot about the differences between the two species. It's very educational and also a heartwarming story.

I loved this true story of a loon family that adopted a baby mallard. I learned a lot of facts about both species and loved reading the end pages for additional information. I was happy to recommend this to The Vermont Center for Ecostudies which often purchases my book recommendations for their resource library.