Puffling and the Egg

This second lively adventure featuring helpful, cheerful little Puffling sends us on a merry chase over and along Skellig Michael. Full of the rich, diverse wildlife found on this tiny, rocky island, it is very informative, as well as an utter delight for young children. Puffling is a determined little puffin that won’t let anything stop her from doing what has to be done. The story and animated pictures are vivid, full of colour, life, expression and character … They work hand-in-hand to create a tale that demands to be read over and over. You’ll laugh; you’ll gasp; you’ll fall in love with Puffling and her friends. A fantastic picturebook to while away those upcoming long winter nights, dreaming of spring and summer adventures with Puffling. And maybe plan a visit to see the Skelligs, yourself. You never know who you might meet. Inspiring curiosity and imagination about the natural world; it is completely charming, funny and simply wonderful.

* Fallen Star Stories *

Young fans of the very lovable Puffling will be delighted to see her return. Readers will recall that this determined little bird rarely lets anything stand in her way. One morning when she wakes on Skellig Michael, she finds a lost egg. She is determined to find out who the egg belongs to and return it. So begins a journey that takes her all over the island of Ireland. On her quest she makes lots of new friends, but most exciting of all is guessing just who will hatch out of the egg!

* CBI Deliver the Joy of Reading *

When Erika McGann and Gerry Daly’s errant fluffy puffling was first introduced to readers, she was leading her merry dance around Michael in Where Are You, Puffling? In her second adventure, it is the puffling herself who is chasing around the Co Kerry island on the trail of a disappearing egg. Determined to help return the mystery egg to its rightful owner, the puffling is dismayed when a gust of wind sends the egg rolling downhill and out of her reach. So begins a lengthy pursuit that sees the puffling retrieve the runaway egg from the nest of a cormorant, only to lose her grip on it again as it rolls into a rabbit’s burrow. A storm petrel, a sunfish, and even a porpoise all take temporary possession of the seemingly uncrackable egg, before the puffling eventually manages to return it to its parents, revealing what kind of creature is ready to hatch. An appealing tale to delight preschool readers, while introducing them to the diversity of Ireland’s wildlife

* Evening Echo *

a delightful story by Erika McGann, with charming illustrations by Gerry Daly. It follows the adventure of a little puffling, who finds a lost egg and is determined to safely return it to its home, all the while battling against the elements on the island of Skellig Michael. This book teaches the reader about the many types of animals that inhabit the land and sea on the cusp of the Wild Atlantic Way, with fun facts about each one … McGann and Daly capture the beautiful ferocity of the weather that has shaped this iconic landscape of Ireland. Young readers are sure to be captivated by this delightful tale and its wonderful artwork. Recommended for ages three to seven years old.

* Irish Examiner *

McGann and Daly have delivered once again – this second adventure to feature Puffling is just as heartwarming and entertaining as the first … beautifully illustrated … a touching and worthy full-up to McGann and Daly’s Where Are You Puffling?

* Munster Express *

sweet…adorable…guaranteed giggles to be had by everyone – young or old

* Country Living Magazine *

sweet…adorable…guaranteed giggles to be had by everyone – young or old

* Irish Farmers Journal *

If you and your little ones have yet to read the Little Puffling series, you’ve got a treat in store. The three books follow the adventures of a puffling, her parents, and a colourful community of animals and birds living on Skellig Michael. Written by Erika McGann and illustrated by Gerry Daly, the latest in the series is titled It’s Too Dark, Puffling. In it, Puffling, who loves her cosy underground bed, has to comfort her smaller puffling friend, who is afraid of the dark and too scared to sleep in his burrow. Puffling and all the other animals on island want to help and do so by sharing the reasons why they love the nighttime. This book is ideal for children who need to be reassured about being left alone in the dark. It’s suitable for two- to six-year-olds

-- Irish Examiner

a wonderful, engaging book with fabulous illustrations about a puffling who finds an egg and looks to find its nest …The children in my Senior Infants class found the book captivating and adored the colourful, vibrant illustrations which really bring Skellig Michael to life. There are many curricular subjects that one can teach using this book as a springboard from SESE to SPHE and Art, the possibilities are endless. In my class, we examined where Skellig Michael was on the map of Ireland and discussed how we would get there i.e. the need to go by boat and the importance of learning how to swim, given that people may fall overboard if on a boat in windy weather. I also showed the children one of the numerous online videos about puffins. The children worked in pairs to discuss what they had learnt and the fact they found most interesting which they shared with the class. Who knew that puffins could hold so many fish in its mouth? I showed the children various images of puffins on Skellig Michael, and they used these as a stimulus to work in pairs painting the puffins on the island. At the end of the book, there is a lovely summary of key facts about some of the creatures that feature in the book e.g. an octopus can change its colour to show that it is in a bad mood. We compared this to how humans and other animals show how they are not in good humour. I also shared stories of my holidays on Valentia Island and my trips to Skellig Michael which prompted the children to talk about their holidays in Ireland. This discussion reinforced that there are many fantastic places to visit in Ireland. This is a captivating story with amazing illustrations which appeals to both children and adults alike. It would make a great addition to the class libraries in the Infant classes and First class - Sandra Doody, Class Teacher, All Saints NS, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

-- Seomra R