g and summer in a loon family's life on a lake in the boreal forest. When LaLa and Dapper return to the northern lake to raise a family, challenges lie ahead: hungry eagles, rowdy humans, and a large fish threaten their peace and security. But the loving couple are soon the proud parents of little Chortle, and spend the warm seasons helping him grow and teaching him about the ways of the loon. As he strengthens and matures, Chortle learns that his parents will soon leave him for the south. He will need to learn to listen to the breezes-the breezes will tell him when it's time to journey on by himself.

From their home, two young boys hearing the call of the loons, watch and learn about the birds. Through this watchful, gentle childhood presence, young readers are beckoned into the beautiful, poignant "way of the loon" and the inevitability of growing up.