WASHING THE WILLOW TREE LOON

An involving tale to help youngsters understand the effects of oil spills by focusing on the travails of a single loon. Drenched in oil, a loon hides in the shallows near a willow tree. Martin (Good Times on Grandfather Mountain, 1992, etc.) introduces a succession of volunteers, diverse in occupation, age, gender, race, and in their reasons for tending birds. Methodically the bird is cleaned and cared for, until it is ready to be restored to the wild. Inspirational in tone, the book will appeal to readers with an interest in environmental matters. Carpenter's finely textured oil paintings expressively convey the practical work of cleaning birds. A fact-filled, helpful ``Note on Bird Rehabilitation'' is included. (Picture book. 5-8)