Once Upon a Loon Hardcover – November 11, 2021 by Scott Rykken

Description

Author: Rykken Scott

Package Dimensions: 6x279x408

Number Of Pages: 34

Release Date: 11-11-2021

Details: Product Description

While watching a heart-warming story unfold during a peaceful morning looking out at a Minnesota lake, Scott Rykken took a remarkable series of photos of a loon, a painted turtle, and a muskrat interacting. It was touching to see how different species could interact so peacefully. The cover photo was originally posted on Facebook and went viral, shared by thousands of viewers and seen by millions around the world. People were reminded that friendships can happen at any time and in many forms. The photo was the inspiration for this picture book about how friends love and help each other.

Review

“Scott Rykken captured a rare and beautiful moment that inspires our sense of wonder. Nature provides so many lessons-in this case, a tale of coexistence. The National Loon Center is honored to be among those who have marveled at the image, and we are delighted to share his storytelling.” -Jon Mobeck, executive director, National Loon Center

“Years ago, I created a Facebook group called ‘Loony for Loons.’ One day I noticed a sudden explosion in the number of people requesting to join the group. It turned out that Scott Rykken had posted an absolutely amazing photograph he’d taken of a nesting loon with a turtle on her back, and she even welcomed a muskrat to relax on her nesting platform! In the midst of our world’s chaos and divisiveness, a beautiful loon, turtle, and muskrat were teaching us how to create a world of harmony, despite our differences. The photo touched countless lives, and people all over the world shared it. Thank you, Scott, for sharing your incredible photograph with us and helping the animals to teach us such an important lesson!” -Debbie Center, musician and artist, founder of World of Harmony Music, creator of Loony for Loons Facebook group

About the Author

Scott Rykken, a lifelong Minnesotan currently residing in Saint Paul, retired from teaching high school science after thirty-seven years. He currently spends his time exploring his other passions of nature and landscape photography, hiking, cross-country skiing, biking, and traveling. He was inspired to create this children’s book after a series of photos he took while watching a loon family at the family cabin in Miltona, Minnesota. Parents of grown children, Scott and his wife, Anne, also spend much of their time doting on their four inquisitive, nature-loving grandchildren.