On Eagle Cove
(On Bird Hill and Beyond #4)

PreS-Gr 2--A young girl and her mother set out on a winter's walk to Eagle Cove. The two soon see a pair of eagles and observe them mating and hunting for fish, and even spot their nest. They return two months later to encounter the eagles caring for their two eaglets, and envision a near future in which the young ones will learn to fly, hunt, and have a family of their own. Yolen's rhyming, first-person narrative gives the story an intimate, poetic feel. Rich, colorful ink and watercolor illustrations portray eagles and humans (who have brown skin) against seasonal scenes of skies, mountain, and lake from various perspectives that engage readers with the landscape and provide a close-up view of its majestic subject matter. The story wraps up with compelling facts and information about eagles along with accompanying crisp photographs, and encouragement to readers to look to the skies whenever there are lakes and rivers nearby. VERDICT Not an essential purchase, but a quietly evolving meditation on the passing of time and appreciation of nature.--Jessica Marie, Salem P.L., OR

A memorable adventure.