Loon Laughter: Ecological Fables and Nature Tales

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

This is a collection of clever little fables, each one making a strong
point about the advantages of living in harmony with nature. Laird does
not make the mistake of tacking a moral on the end of each fable. The
fables speak for themselves, forcefully and beautifully. The
illustrations are taken from the works of deceased Canadian artist,
Thoreau MacDonald, whose work received minor recognition in the 1950s
and 1960s. The text is interspersed with a generous selection of
woodcuts, pen-and-ink sketches, and even some pencil sketches; their
simple style perfectly complements the simplicity of Aird’s careful
prose.

“Hawk Haven” tells the story of two farmers. One has cleared nearly
all the trees from his property; the other has kept trees around his
fields. In only 172 words, the author paints a clear picture of how one
farmer is prosperous and happy while

the other curses his luck. Aird describes a hawk

in the background, skimming a field and coming to rest in a tree. We
leave the vignette, knowing exactly why one farmer is cursing about
losing much of his crop to mice. A very economical pen-and-ink sketch of
a hawk skimming a field illustrates this little gem.

Not only will this book suit the ecologically inclined but it is also
an excellent choice for reading with young children. The vocabulary is
simple enough for older children to read the text for themselves. Highly
recommended.