Book Review – Osprey Adventure
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008Osprey Adventure
By Jennifer Keats Curtis
Illustrated by Marcy Dunn Ramsey
This children’s book tells the story of a father, son and an osprey family that live on the Chesapeake Bay. The story is based on the work of a real hero, Pete McGowan, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Chesapeake Bay Field Office biologist, who has studied osprey for years. He believes that half or more of all osprey nests on the bay and surrounding rivers contain fishing lines, or similar cordage material.This story describes a problem that affects these well-known birds of prey. Fortunately, ospreys are making a comeback after being nearly eradicated by pesticides in the 1970s, but fishing line, balloon ribbons and other types of trash have become serious threats to the well-being of chicks and adults.
The book does a good job of introducing the young reader to the idea of stewardship, depicting how the actions of humans impact the environment. The story also explains how the public can help, while pointing out that we should leave the direct interaction of animals to properly trained specialists.
Osprey Adventure
By Jennifer Keats Curtis
Illustrated by Marcy Dunn Ramsey
$13.95 Tidewater Publishers
Available at area bookstores and independent retailers and online via Amazon Books or the Tidewater Publishers website.
