Luck: The Story of a Sandhill Crane
1 Hardcover/1 CD (see all formats)

"Luck, a sandhill crane whose neck is tangled in a plastic six-pack holder, is saved by a young girl in the Texas marshes. Thus begins the thousand mile journey that takes Luck and his parents across the United States to Siberia and back to Texas where he is reunited with the girl. Along the migration route, he encounters various landmarks that will lead him back home in late August. Jean Craighead George's tale (Laura Geringer Books, 2006) is complemented by beautiful detailed paintings by Wendell Minor, who also narrates the story. Sound effects and music add authenticity to the text. This book is an ecological marvel for life science teachers and bird lovers. A must-have for classrooms and listening centers for units about migration, the life cycle of birds, animal conversation, and the connection between wildlife and humans."

"Every year as many as half-a-million Sand Hill cranes make a famous migration north from Texas, along the Platte River to Canada, Alaska, and destinations as far away as Siberia. Wendell Minor's well-modulated narration gives a fictionalized account of the spectacular event through the experience of a crane named Luck. Music accompanies the entire story, and sound effects bring the story to life: the unusual crane voices, wings flapping, and noises of whatever is happening below the birds in flight. The slow pace seems designed for the young listener to enjoy Minor's double-page illustrations in the accompanying book. These splendid pictures let the listener see the world of this perilous journey from the bird's-eye view."