Bird Bills Built For The Best

It is not uncommon for chickadees to venture closer to humans than other birds.  When cross-country skiing I've had one land on the end of my pole.  They've flown in and gathered among the pine boughs over my head when I'm putting fresh water in the bird bath.  Still, yesterday, when one flew and landed on the table placed against my front windows on my covered porch, I was surprised and overjoyed.  It was a gift.

Admiration for our feathered companions grows with every song they sing, every nest they build, and every flight they take, whether it is a short spurt from tree branch to tree branch or a soaring glide on windy air currents high above the ground.  The Beak Book (Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, January 5, 2021) written and illustrated by Robin Page provides readers with fantastic facts, vivid images, and one more reason birds deserve our utmost respect.  The will to survive, adaptations, and their ingenuity in using this physical characteristic will astound you.

Bird beaks come in many different

colors, shapes, and sizes.

From the time they are born

birds use their beaks - - - sometimes

called bills- - -in many unusual

and amazing ways.

As the pages in this book are turned, we meet twenty-one birds and the twenty-two uses for their versatile bills.  The soft beak of a ruddy duck can shift through mud separating out a variety of items.  Did you know at the end of the beak of a Norton Island brown kiwi is its nostrils?  It is a master sniffer.

Beaks can change prey into a meal by tossing, crushing, stabbing, or ripping it.  The keel-billed toucan carries its air-conditioner with it.  Its long beak emits heat.  

The common tailorbird is an expert at sewing.  The female's beak stitches leaves together using spider webbing like thread.  A red crossbill is clever at extracting seeds from pinecones with its beak.  In warmer weather it is not unusual to watch birds with slender, long beaks sipping nectar from blossoms. At hummingbird feeders you can hear them chirping at each other as their wings blur, holding them in place.

You can almost hear a hyacinth macaw call out--- "Look mom, no hands!" as it moves up a branch utilizing its beak.  You'll want to move aside if male hornbills start fighting.  The beak on the oriental pied hornbill is indeed a weapon.  Noted for its color and imposing size, the pileated woodpecker makes large holes in trunks with its sharp, hard bill.  On the final pages the ruddy duck makes another appearance.  This time it emerges from an egg courtesy of a special tooth on its beak. 

The first sentence describing the beak is the same for each bird, supplying readers with an inviting cadence.  Robin Page expertly selects a verb for the end of that sentence.

This beak is for plucking.

Following the sentence are one or two sentences offering further explanation.

The flightless takahe

(tah-kah-hay) plucks 

leaves and grasses with its

short, stout beak.

Her invitation with the introductory sentence is almost like a question and we seek the answer willingly.

The crisp, white canvas seen on the front, right, and back, left, of the open and matching dust jacket and book case is found throughout the book.  It heightens the details and hues of the birds' faces and beaks.  The fierceness of the eagle on the front is evident in the tilt of its head, its curved beak, and its steely stare.  It is poised for action.  The bird and text are varnished.

On the back a small circle is placed on the white background.  Within the circle, the adult eagle is using its beak to feed a baby eagle, head lifted from the nest.  This is an additional use of this bird's beak from the sentence in the interior of the book.

The opening and closing endpapers are a golden yellow (bird's beak yellow).  On the title page a shoebill stork looks directly at the reader, its body placed between two pieces of text.  Rendered in

Adobe Photoshop

the illustrations created by Robin Page are beautifully lifelike.  Texture, color, and shading are superb.  The eyes are exquisite.  You can't help but feel these creatures will move off the page at any moment.

For each bird, an enlarged version of their head, upper body and beak are prominent on the page.  A smaller accompanying image shows them engaged in the noted activity.  A caption with this smaller picture tells us their name.  For four of the birds double-page pictures rather than single-page illustrations are devoted to them.  One bird has two double-page visuals.

One of my many favorite illustrations is of the common tailorbird.  The hues of rusty-red, grass green, grayish white and a splash of black of its feathers are splendid.  The spark of life in its eye adds to the authenticity.  One can easily see how the beak is used for sewing.  In the smaller picture, the female is shown stitching leaves together with spider webbing as she leans in from a branch.

Everyone, birder or casual reader, will be intrigued by the information and pictures in The Beak Book written and illustrated by Robin Page.  You'll find yourself captivated from beginning to end of this title.  At the conclusion there are two pages dedicated to showing the birds in comparative sizes to an adult human being.  Global maps show their main area of residence. What they eat is also noted.  There is a bibliography and further reading list on the final page with the publication information.  I highly recommend this book for your professional collections and your personal bookshelves.

To learn more about Robin Page and her other work, please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  At the publisher's website you can view the entire dust jacket and interior images. I suggest you take a few moments to look at the visuals for this book at the publisher's page.  You can see what a stunning title this is.  

A Snow-tastic Spell

Earlier this week, a wild rain and windstorm raged through our entire state.  Along the Great Lakes in northern Michigan waves rose and trees bent from these forces.  This event heralded the arrival of much colder conditions.  Clouds spit snow earlier this morning.

Winter is nature's seasonal pause.  Now is the time to enjoy this yearly rest. Ten Ways To Hear Snow (KOKILA, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, October 13, 2020) written by Cathy Camper with illustrations by Kenard Pak follows a little girl as she walks to her grandmother's house after a nightly blizzard.  It is a sensory sensation.

When Lina woke up, everything was quiet.

Everything was coated in snow.  There were no sounds of vehicles on the move.  Despite the weather, today was the day she and her grandmother were making warak enab with grape leaves.  Dressed snuggly, her parents allowed her to go.

As she stood outside Lina wondered if this was how Sitti, her grandmother, sensed the world.  Were the sounds she heard gentler?  Were they sharper?

As she traveled to Sitti's home specific sounds were noted by Lina.  The music of a shovel on a sidewalk, of the bite of the bottoms of her boots in the snow, and of snow swept off car roofs and windshields were the first few she heard.  Activities of children made new sounds.  Lina listened to cross-country skiers and snowman makers.

Lina finally arrived at her grandmother's building.  She had heard eight snow sounds.  After greeting her grandmother, they cooked together, step by careful step.  They imagined what the rolled, grape leaf bundles might be other than food.  Eating their meal, Lina talked with Sitti about the blizzard.  She was surprised at an answer her grandmother gave to a question.  Then, side by side and outside wrapped in warmth and love, they heard the final sound of snow.  

Like Lina gathering sounds of snow, author Cathy Camper, piece by piece, creates a tapestry for readers of the world after a blizzard and of familial affection.  Her concise sentences, some with dialogue, are a realistic reflection of Lina, her parents and her Sitti.  Each sound Lina hears is accurately depicted with her meticulous use of language.  There is a soothing rhythm supplied by the introduction of the sound and Lina's response.  Here is a passage.

Lina cut across the park.

Scritch, scratch, scritch, scratch.

Another snow sound?

Lina saw long, skinny tracks by her boots.  Ahead of her,

people were skiing.  Their skis made the fifth way to hear snow.

The silvery, white-coated world is eloquently portrayed, first to readers, on the open and matching dust jacket and book case.  On the dust jacket it extends flap edge to flap edge.  The frosty clarity is so real you can imagine yourself standing with Lina and Sitti.  They are shown on the front of the jacket and case as they appear together on the closing page.  On the back the community buildings and trees with branches reaching out and up like arms, continue.  Text nestled between boughs in the snow-filled sky read:

WHEN THE WORLD GROWS QUIET,

WE LEARN TO LISTEN.

A sage green color covers the opening and closing endpapers.  A darker green, complementary to the endpapers, is used to form a snowflake made of grape leaves on the title page.  This single, enlarged snowflake is placed beneath the text.

Rendered digitally Kenard Pak's artwork, on single and double pages, is delicate and intricate.  His details draw readers deeper into the story.  With care he uses darker colors on his characters and certain elements in each setting.  Other items are lighter and etched.

His perspectives, a scene viewed through an upstairs window with curtains acting as framing, a panoramic view of Lina's street, and a bird's eye view of her walking in the snow afford readers a genuine experience.  When Lina enters Sitti's home we are shown a view of the outside of her apartment and one inside with Lina in four different places.  For the making of warak enab, he provides us with a page showing the four stages of filling and folding the grape leaves.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is when Lina is walking, listening, and hearing her boot soles on the snow.  The crisp white background in broken by blue-shadowed footprints leading to Lina walking off the right side of this single-page picture.  Text appears above and below the footprints and Lina.  Of Lina, we see her hat, scarf, coat, legs, and boots from above.  A small portion of the bag with the grape leaves in her right hand is there.  This is a marvelous view.

Besides being an enchanting encounter within a wintry realm, Ten Ways To Hear Snow written by Cathy Camper with illustrations by Kenard Pak asks readers to take a respite in their normal, daily lives.  It challenges them to seek other sounds present in snow.  This title is pure perfection for a winter-themed storytime or perhaps one revolving around being more present in the moments of movements between awakening and sleep.  I highly recommend this book for your personal and professional collections.

By following the link attached to Cathy Camper's and Kenard Pak's names, you can access their websites to learn more about them and their other work.  Cathy Camper has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  Kenard Pak has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  At the publisher's website you can view the title page.

The silence in the mornings as the sun rises is complete.  Many of our feathered friends have flown to more southern regions for winter.  Others that remain have distinctive times of the day when they make appearances.  Fortunate are those who see a flash of red, reminding us of the presence of cardinals.  Sometimes when the sun shines brightly, chick-a-dees will gather in the trees, singing.  Blue jays squawk and swoop, sometimes alone or in a pair.  At dark, the hooting of an owl signals their nightly rituals.  Snow Birds (Abrams Books for Young Readers, November 3, 2020) written by Kirsten Hall with pictures by Jenni Desmond is a poetic, pictorial ode to those birds who remain in winter or thrive in colder climates.  Eighteen poems about seventeen birds will have you seeking their presence every time you step outside.

Blue Jay

Look! In the tree! A blue jay feeder.

Carved with care from fine red cedar.

Hung with love, set facing east,

a call to all:  It's a peanut feast! . . .

A Carolina wren seeks a home.  Where will they find a cozy place to rest?  Snow buntings flock and fly painting a pattern in the sky.  In formation snow geese weather the snow, finding a place to sleep.

Black rosy-finches call and look for food before they head for shelter.  An Atlantic puffin dives, beak open, and feeds on fish.  A hawk sits statue still as a swarm of Bohemian waxwings tantalize it.  

Under the snow a hollowed house is filled with the feathered body of a ruffed grouse.  Do you hear them call?  A snowy owl hoots for all listening to hear.  

Many days their distinctive songs echo across the landscape.  If you are lucky, they will land near you, these black-capped chickadees.  Grateful American tree sparrows gather to feed on seed.  What is that drum-like beat?  It's a downy woodpecker finding a meal, making a hole for a nest, and hoping for a mate.  Winter is nearly over.  Spring is easing back.  There is a brief glimpse of red.  Northern cardinals welcome this change with their tunes.  And the blue jays find joy in a new nest.

With a passion for her subject, author Kirsten Hall writes her verses showcasing the characteristics and habits of each bird.  She highlights those specifics which separate them from other birds within the context of all of them surviving in harsher conditions.  She uses rhyming masterfully, blending the bird calls into her narrative.  Her words sing off the pages.  Here is an entire poem.

Snow Goose

Snowflakes whirling,

snow-flocks swirling,

streaks of white

twirl through

the night.  Then

lower,

slower,

home,

a good night. 

(This poem is presented with the words, across two pages, forming a v above and below a flock flying in formation.)

From a single goose we hear:

KREEY-A!!!!!

Ki-ki-ki-ki! Ki-ki-ki-ki!

Ki-ki-ki-ki! Ki-ki-ki-ki!

Luminescent illustrations by Jenni Desmond are presented on the open dust jacket, front and back.  The northern cardinals on the front form a striking contrast to the snowy setting in cool colors.  Held to the light, snowflakes shimmer as the jacket is moved back and forth.  To the left, on the back, a snowy owl sits on top of a nearly white dune.  Above it a dark sky presents a perfect canvas for the crescent moon.  On the black sky words read:

"A soulful, vivid look at the

hidden world at winter birds."

---New York City Audubon

On the book case the snow geese are featured in their V-shaped arrangement, one bird flying from the upper, left-hand corner to the front bird flying off the center, right-hand side.  The lower side of the v has the final two birds close to the spine. The birds' wings, some up and some down, and some back, indicate their beautiful movement.  They are presented on a gray streaked canvas with snow falling.  This picture is eloquent enough to have you believing you can hear them.

On the opening and closing endpapers is a stark winter landscape.  A thin ribbon of blue is spread across the top.  Beneath this is snow.  Along the bottom is a trail of bird tracks.  On the closing endpapers one element is added.  The bird who made the tracks.

On the title page all seventeen birds are shown around and among the text.  Each double-page picture rendered by Jenni Desmond using

watercolor, acrylic, pencil crayons, ink, drypoint printmaking, and Photoshop

displays a knowledge of setting, habitats, and the birds.  

The details are breathtaking.  The placement of text within the images reveals a superb sense of design. 

Sometimes we are close to the birds when they are feeding among branches.  Other times they are placed in a larger world.  A large snowy vista spans two pages with a dark gray sky, a line of trees, branches bare, and a single bird feeder standing in the snow in the foreground on the right.  A flock of American tree sparrows gladly gather.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is for the black-capped chick-a-dee.  For this two-page image the canvas is black.  The poem is on the right side, text in white.  On the left enveloped by the black, as if cupped in hands, is a single small chick-a-dee.  This is a stunning depiction.

For a unit on winter, birds, or broadening your knowledge of our natural world, Snow Birds written by Kirsten Hall with artwork by Jenni Desmond is an excellent choice.  At the close of the book are seventeen additional paragraphs, one for each bird.  Kirsten Hall includes an author's note in the form of a letter to readers.  I highly recommend this title for your personal and professional bookshelves.

To learn more about Jenni Desmond and her other work, please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  Kirsten Hall has an account on Twitter.  Jenni Desmond has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  At the publisher's website you can view interior images.

Discovering Winged Wonders

There are those who look to their calendars to mark the changing seasons.  There are others, careful observers of the natural world, who know Mother Nature shifts from summer to autumn to winter, and then to spring in her own time.  Last week there were from five to seven of them in my backyard in the morning and evening, adults, and speckled youngsters.  Now, it is as if they've vanished.  Have the robins left to migrate south?

Hummingbirds, two or three, gather, and take turns, at my feeder sipping nectar all day.  Goldfinches and chick-a-dees chatter in the surrounding woods as raptors glide overhead.   Birds are active throughout the day, but those visible change from month to month.  How to Find a Bird (Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, August 4, 2020) written by Jennifer Ward with illustrations by Diana Sudyka guides readers in spotting a wide range of birds in a variety of settings and habitats. 

There are a lot of ways to find a bird.

That's the wonderful thing about birds.

We will want to become a part of our surroundings, moving quietly and slowly.  We usually think of watching for birds above us because of their ability to fly, but birds find food on and under the ground.  Look there, too.  Birds near the water are often lower than if they are in flight.

Remember the hint about moving slowly?  Many birds make their nests on the ground.  We should be careful.  Sometimes we have to be detectives.  Birds blend in bark, foliage, and branches.  They might be closer than we think.

We can still look to the sky to discover new birds.  Sometimes they fly solo.  Other times they gather in a large group to create a breathtaking display of synchronization.  

They are so fast at times; we wonder if we really saw them.  They may see us before we see them, announcing their presence with a call.  If we feed birds, they will honor us with their constant company.  In closing the narrative, we are reminded of another sense for locating birds.  We will be eager to try it the next time we step out-of-doors.

The easy conversational sentences penned by Jennifer Ward are an open invitation to readers to explore the world of birds.  Each hint is like a clue to unraveling a marvelous mystery.  When we are asked to do something, a readily understood explanation follows.  References are made for us to be as if we are birds in order to find them. Small poetic uses of language supply an easy cadence.  Here is a passage.

Quiet is good too.

So quiet you can hear

your heartbeat.

Shhhhhhh

When you open the matching dust jacket and book case you are greeted with the lovely display of the tree, branches extending from flap edge to flap edge.  The white canvas provides an ideal background for portraying the birds as we would see them naturally.  The vibrant, full-color picture welcomes readers to open the book.

To the left, on the back, of the jacket and case the two children who journey through the book with us, are looking at the main tree, one with binoculars.  They are partially hidden by a large shrub which contains the ISBN.  Above them a Baltimore oriole is peering from its hanging nest at the children.

A fabulous pattern of bird homes, some made by humans, are carefully scattered on a white background.  Pinecones, nuts, leaves, and tiny, berry-covered branches are part of the design.  The use of muted primary colors is highly appealing.  On the title page a large owl is nestled against a tree trunk, seated on a branch.  The tree's branches stretch off the right and top and move across the gutter to the verso and dedication page, also stretching off the top.

These illustrations by Diana Sudyka rendered 

in watercolor, gouache on paper, and finished digitally

are rich in their settings, color choices, and portraits of the birds.  Each bird is labeled in tiny print looking as if hand lettered. Several perspectives are present in many of the images.  Nearly all the illustrations span two pages before shifting to several circular representations and two full-page pictures.  You will find yourself pausing at every page turn to study the details, even as you gasp in admiration at the beautiful two-page panoramas.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is for the text above noted.  It's night.  In the background is a charcoal gray sky replete with stars.  In silhouette just left of the gutter is a large tree with leafy branches spreading left and right across the gutter.  In front of the tree on the left is a grassy mound with a tree stump.  The children are quietly seated there.  In front of the grassy area is darkened water.  On the right, much closer to readers is a large sleeping swan.  Her neck is curved downward, her feathered wings gracefully moving upward and to the left across the gutter.  Nestled in her feathers are three babies, their downy fluff slightly darker than her white wings.

This book, How to Find a Bird written by Jennifer Ward with illustrations by Diana Sudyka, is outstanding in every respect with the text and visuals working to create a stunning whole.  At the close of the book under the heading of 

We can all be bird watchers!

are Tools and Tips, Create a Life List, and Become a Citizen Scientist with lots of information.  Jennifer Ward asks readers to visit her website 

for a list of books about birds and bird watching.

I highly recommend this title for your personal and professional collections.

To learn more about Jennifer Ward and Diana Sudyka and their other work, please visit their websites by following the links attached to their names.  Jennifer Ward has accounts on Facebook, and Twitter.  Diana Sudyka has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  At the publisher's website you can view interior images.  Enjoy the video.

...Comes Bob-Bob Bobbin' Along

For as long as I can remember their presence is one of several signs spring will be here soon.  First you occasionally see one or two, then you might see an entire flock covering a lawn as they migrate to their home territories.  The once cold, silent sunrises are now filled with a new song.

There is an old practice for bringing good luck when you see the first one of a new season.  Upon sighting one, lick the thumb of your right hand and then place it in the palm of your left hand.  You next make a fist with your right hand and stamp it on top of the thumb print on your left palm.  When you make a wish as you do this, it will come true.

According to this old tradition American robins, the state bird of three states, Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin, are like winged, four-leaf clovers.  When visiting a book store recently I knew I had to have Robins! How They Grow Up (Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, February 7, 2017) written and illustrated by Eileen Christelow.  You may think you know everything there is to know about robins but this book offers you much more.

WHO ARE WE?
We're robins!
Our black and white speckles mean we're young---a few months old.
Robin teenagers!
Why are we living in your yard?
Well, here's the story.

With that short introduction our two robin narrators begin a tale of truth on how they came to be talking to us.  It all starts in the spring when millions of male robins come north first.  It's not an easy trip avoiding treacherous weather and predator birds.  These male robins look for a secure area with plenty of food and water.  Then they defend their space and wait.

After weeks the female robins travel to all the places selected by the males.  Amid all the singing partnerships are formed.  Females look for the safest sheltered place to build a nest.  Like a potter molding clay they use bits and pieces of grass, twigs, leaves and mud as glue.  You can find these natural bowls just about any place they believe is protected.

Once the eggs, three or four, are setting in the nest the female keeps them warm with her body.  Did you know she turns the eggs to regulate the temperature?  Have you ever heard of a brood patch?  When these two teenage robins' mom leaves one time, a sneaky squirrel gets one of the eggs.  It takes two weeks for the remaining eggs to reveal their contents.

At two day increments we learn how the babies eat, how their feathers grow and even how they deposit their waste.  When they first leave the nest at two weeks, it's seriously frightening.  At this point the learning of flying and eating needs to escalate.  The dad has now takes charge keeping the birds safe at night by joining other males and babies in a large tree for roosting.  As lessons progress another baby is lost to a hungry hawk.  It's not easy being a baby robin.

Bathing is a must for cleanliness, bug removal and oiling.  At two months the learning is still proceeding with listening to adults and practice, practice and more practice.  At three months old the night tree gets more crowded.  Mom has hatched another set of eggs.  Within five months large changes take place and another one is about to begin.


Throughout the title Eileen Christelow has her two "experts" speaking directly to readers.  Their informed revelations compel you to keep turning the pages.  The insertion of sound effects heightens the realism.   You want to know the outcome of all their challenges.

Along with the narrative text, Christelow has the two robins making side comments within speech bubbles on nearly every page.  These comments include extra details such as why males chase other males from their space, coloration, animals which eat the eggs, baby food, and the function of tail feathers.  They are slightly humorous too.  To give readers a sense of time, she places the number of weeks and months old of the babies above a shift in the text. Here is a sample of the narrative.

Dad starts dropping the worms,
and we have to find them.
We poke, peck, scratch...
Then we learn a trick.
If we tilt our heads, we can see and hear better!  With a little practice, we're finding moths, spiders, caterpillars...and worms!

Our eyes are on the side of our heads.

Yeah, I'm looking right at you!


Rendered digitally using various Photoshop brushes, an iMac, and a large Wacom Pro tablet all of the illustrations are bursting with life.  On the matching dust jacket and book case you can almost hear the peeping of the babies wanting to be fed immediately.  To the left, on the back, an adult has captured a worm and is stretching it out of the ground.  This is placed within a small square framed in red on a white background.  The opening and closing endpapers are robin's breast red.

Eileen Christelow spans her illustrations across a page and a half, in a series of vertical panels, a single page panel, a series of square and rectangle panels on a single page or a combination of a large panel sharing a page with two or three smaller ones.  Her picture sizes perfect the pacing.  The two narrating robins are always outside of any frame.

To add interest to the visuals she has elements extend outside of the frames.  The perspective in the illustrations varies but many times we are given a distinctive bird's eye view usually on the ground because this is about babies coming into adulthood.  Her attention to detail is either a result of intense and long observation or extensive research or a combination of both.

One of my favorite series of illustrations is when the last baby bird is poised on the rim of the nest.  To the left of the page is a long vertical view of the nest sitting on top of a hoe in a storage shed.  Then to the right are five separate smaller pictures.  It's almost like stop-action photography how she frames the flapping of wings, the leaning over the edge, the leap and the fall and some flying.


To enhance your collection's bird titles Robins! How They Grow written and illustrated by Eileen Christelow is one you will want to acquire.  For libraries in Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin it's a must have!  At the conclusion of the book is an Author's Note, Glossary, two pages of facts, More About Robins! and Sources, print and online.

To learn more about Eileen Christelow and her other considerable work, please visit her website by following the link attached to her name.


Please visit Kid Lit Frenzy hosted by educator Alyson Beecher to see the other titles listed by bloggers participating in the 2017 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge.  It's amazing how much we all learn each week from these nonfiction picture books.

On A Wing---Happiness

Lawns, even those with sprinkler systems, are parched from lack of rain.  When the water comes on robins fly down from the safety of trees to enjoy the cool wetness.  Driving through the countryside the other morning, a hawk glided on air currents over a field looking for a meal.  Nothing made by man has ever looked so glorious.  Each morning and evening like clockwork the call of a cardinal rings out through the neighborhood. The sights and sounds of birds give us signals if we take the time to learn.

This spring as many migratory birds were winging their way back to northern regions a pictorial, informational tribute to feathered friends was released.  My Big Book of Birds (Groundwood Books, House Of Anansi Press, April 12, 2016) written and illustrated by Geraldo Valerio like the subject it presents is full of wonder.  Fifty birds are featured in this visual celebration.

... For years now, I have been making collages of birds using old magazine paper.  Collage allows me to capture the sense of aliveness and joy I feel when I look at birds.  The image is a door that leads me to discover and learn. ...

These three sentences are taken from an introduction written by Geraldo Valerio. They, along with the other paragraphs, convey the sense of passionate respect he has for all birds he has seen in his lifetime.  With each page turn readers will discover why he included the word my in the title.

Attached to the majesty of the Golden Eagle is the fact that even today they are still taught to hunt in some countries in Asia.  The art of falconry is not lost.  Ospreys have special toes to help them grip the catch of the day.  Designed for swooping and diving birds in the Swallow family have longer and more pointed wings.

The Snowy Owl does not limit hunting to the night but uses the light of day as well.  It's mind boggling to think of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird flying as far south as Costa Rica or Panama when colder weather arrives. Two birds known for their intelligence especially when it comes to their next meal are the Common Raven and the American Crow.  Did you know there is a bird so skilled at imitations, it can even sound like a cat or a dog?

Having only seen a Great Blue Heron in flight or wading in water, it must be quite the sight to see one of their nests in a tree.  Physical attributes such as black spots around their eyes to protect them against snow glare and feathers on their feet to make snow walking easier, help the Rock Ptarmigan.  Did you know there is a bird that mimics the reeds in the marshes where it resides by looking up and standing still?


Large nests in dead trees become homes for other forest dwellers, young still unable to fly have to jump from nests to eat, a discordant song for announcing which land is their land, and a beak for opening cones to get seeds are more unique qualities found in the lives of birds.  Their survival techniques and adaptabilities are incredible.  Watch and listen; they have much to teach us.


For each bird or group of birds Geraldo Valerio begins with a short introduction.  For many of the birds one or two additional sentences will be tucked within the illustrations.  Valerio does include the scientific name for each bird but his information is conversational and fascinating even for younger readers.  Here is a sample introduction for the Black-capped Chickadee.

This sweet little bird is lively and curious.  It spends most of its time searching for food and helps us by eating insects that damage farm crops.  It also eats spiders, berries and seeds, and it likes to hide seeds away for a future feast.


One look at the front of the matching dust jacket and book case will tell readers they are about to read a title with remarkable illustrations unique to the work of Geraldo Valerio.  To the left, on the back, the American White Pelican has its back to the Trumpeter Swan on the front.  Creating a frame by facing it is the Whooping Crane.  Ten other birds create an impeccable design within this frame. (The opened jacket and case can be seen at Valerio's website.)  On the opening endpapers in their true color are the eggs for each bird.  On the closing endpapers fifty single feathers from the birds are featured.  No page turn is without an image of a bird.  The verso and title pages highlight an image crossing the gutter of two birds resting on reeds.

All of the birds are placed in their natural habitats seemingly in motion.  Some of them, the larger birds, cover two pages in a breathtaking display.  Valerio might insert smaller descriptive pictures within the larger illustration; newly hatched babies in a nest, a bird diving for fish or a bird fleeing from a predator.  Small birds from the same family are usually grouped together in a single illustration spanning both pages.

Although the images are done in his signature collage work, they are representative of the essence of each bird.  Their individual mannerisms are portrayed with excellence.  Clearly Valerio is a keen observer and skilled researcher.

One of my favorite illustrations is spread across both pages.  It's a portrait of a Snowy Owl looking directly at the reader.  Large and small circles in white frame the upper portion of the body.  The wings are raised as if the bird is ready to fly which given it hunts day or night makes this a very realistic depiction.  Three smaller scenarios surround the bird.  All of this is on a cool blue background.  This is absolutely striking.


My Book of Birds written and illustrated by Geraldo Valerio is one bird book which should be on every personal and professional bookshelf.  The captivating images and small pieces of information are a wonderful combination sure to delight those who enjoy birds and will peak interest in those who are not yet watchers.  This title will be looked at and read repeatedly by all kinds of readers.

A glossary, books, websites, books of interest to young readers (including a book talked about here by Melissa Stewart with illustrations by Sarah S. Brennen, Feathers Not Just For Flying) and an index appear on the last page of this book.  To learn more about Geraldo Valerio and his other work please follow the link attached to his name to access his website.  He includes seven two-page pictures from this book on his site.


Please be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy hosted by Alyson Beecher to view the other selections by bloggers this week participating in the 2016 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge.

Nonfiction Picture Book Event-A Flurry of Feathers

When you spend a lot of time outdoors your entire life, you tend to become more observant and appreciative of everything living outside the human realm.  You learn to see the subtle and not so subtle changes which come in seconds or with the seasons.  One of the most important things is to be present in the moment with stillness.

If we can learn to look to the other inhabitants of our planet, flora and fauna, they have essential messages to share.  I find myself watching in wonder more and more the actions, habits and calls of birds.  Parenting is portrayed in a majestic eagle pair guarding a nest along a quiet river, adaptability and trust is seen in the robins building a nest in a hanging basket on your front porch, and teamwork is depicted in the swoop of a starling murmuration.  One of the most remarkable examples was when I was cutting a bouquet of zinnias one sunny summer day.  As I stood next to the garden thinking, a hummingbird zoomed up and flitted from blossom drinking the nectar.  I held my breath hardly believing this gift I was receiving.

Today I am happy to participate in the 2016 Nonfiction 10 for 10 Event hosted by Cathy Mere, Reflect & Refine: Building a Learning Community, Mandy Robeck, Enjoy and Embrace Learning,  and Julie Balen, Connecting to Learn.  You can view all the contributions at the Picture Book 10 for 10 Community Google+ site.  In 2014 I highlighted my top ten dinosaur books.  Last year I featured books on individuals whose contributions in human history made a difference.  This year it's a pleasure to showcase books I believe can change or increase your admiration for birds.




Mama Built A Little Nest (Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, March 18, 2014) written by Jennifer Ward with illustrations by Steve Jenkins

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

This is an outstanding introduction to this topic sure to encourage readers to take notice of the world around them.  The combination of rhythmic poetry, fascinating information and stunning illustrations makes this a must-have title in any collection.








Feathers Not Just For Flying (Charlesbridge, February 25, 2014) written by Melissa Stewart with illustrations by Sarah S. Brannen

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

This title presents to readers the amazing capabilities of feathers on a variety of birds.  The mix of narrative and visuals is as pleasing as watching a feather floating on a current of air; light, airy and down-to-earth.  In addition to the author's note two pages are devoted to classifying feathers; six categories are described.




 Birds Of A Feather (Chronicle Books, September 26, 2012) by Bernadette Gervais and Francesco Pittau

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

Within twelve, yes only twelve, pages a vast array of interesting, intriguing information is presented through a series of flaps, fold-outs, using stunning artwork.






Woodpecker Wham! (Henry Holt and Company, May 12, 2015) written by April Pulley Sayre with illustrations by Steve Jenkins

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

In a staccato style reminiscent of the birds' rhythmic beak beats, chanting words pair with fascinating art as we explore the world of woodpeckers.  Authenticity is apparent in the words and artwork throughout the seasons of the year.  A page at the end is dedicated to further reading, websites, and acknowledgments.



Parrots Over Puerto Rico (Lee & Low Books, Inc., September 15, 2013) by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore with collages by Susan L. Roth


My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

This title tells the tale of these magnificent birds who nearly faded from existence.  The thorough and meticulous research of Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore is unmistakable from the first page.  Their technique of presenting information, a paragraph about the parrots followed by a paragraph about the island and its human inhabitants, creates a type of comparative tension.  In this way readers are able to clearly see how the later affected the former.  Choosing to provide this material in chronological order further enhances the emotional involvement of the reader.  Six pages at the book's end contain more factual and pictorial items of interest as well as a bibliographic list of sources.



The Sky Painter:  Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist (Two Lions, April 28, 2015) written by Margarita Engle with illustrations by Aliona Bereghici

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

I realize with this book may not qualify as nonfiction.  In checking the State of Michigan library it was classified between twelve libraries holding it in their collections as either poetry or biography.  There is an ongoing discussion about nonfiction, historical fiction and informational fiction at Kid Lit Frenzy hosted by educator Alyson Beecher.

I decided to include it here because of the impact this artist had on the world of birds.  Author Margarita Engle elected to present the information through a series of poems.  She is indeed a master.  At the end she includes a historical note and three images.



Look Up!: Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard (Candlewick Press, March 12, 2013) written and illustrated by Annette LeBlanc Cate

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

In this book, Annette LeBlanc Cate offers to younger or beginner bird-watchers hints on how to enjoy it best.  She reminds readers to take the time to notice what's right in front of our eyes. Two words pop into my mind when I think of this book, information and humor.  Factual presentation in the body of the book and in the extra captions is worded specifically for a novice to bird-watching.  It is countered with the spot-on statements liberally loaded with fun made by the gathered birds.



A Nest Is Noisy (Chronicle Books, April 14, 2015) written and illustrated by the collaborative team of Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long

My full summary and recommendation for this title is linked here.

Not all of the nests featured belong to birds but many of them are those of birds.  Each statement of a nest is presents readers with supporting information in detail.  Aston, through research, is able to provide those captivating details which enlarge our respect for those beings inhabiting our planet.








Thunder Birds: Nature's Flying Predators (Sterling, April 5, 2011) written and illustrated by Jim Arnosky

From the dust jacket text:  What's that flying overhead?
A bald eagle?
A vulture?
A pelican?
You'll know once you've seen the magnificent birds in this book with their tremendous wingspans, razor sharp claws, and powerful beaks.  Open the giant fold-out pages to see detailed illustrations of more than sixty-life size winged predators---from hawks to herons, from ospreys to owls.  Acclaimed naturalist Jim Arnosky will bring out your inner explorer as he explains why there are no feathers on a vulture's head, which bird is the deep diving champ, what makes an owl's wings perfectly silent in flight, and much more.  Bring wilderness right into your room---or use this book as a guide for our expedition!

This title is a must own for all libraries and classrooms.  An author's note, more about birds and a metric equivalents chart close out this volume.




Bird Talk: What Birds are Saying and Why (Roaring Brook Press, March 13, 2012) written and illustrated by Lita Judge

From the dust jacket text:  Chirp, warble, quack, coo, rattle, screech!
Birds have lots of ways of staying in touch:  they sing and talk, dance and drum, cuddle and fight.  But what does all of the bird talk mean?
Filled with gorgeous illustrations this fascinating book takes a look at the secret life of birds as they hunt, nest, and get to know each other.  Whether you already love to bird-watch or are just curious about the wildlife in your backyard, you'll never look at your feathered friends in quite the same way again!

At the conclusion of this book Lita Judge includes four pages of additional information about twenty-eight birds, a glossary, references, a website and an author's note.  You simply can't go wrong with a book written and illustrated by Judge.






I am trying very hard to stick with the ten title limit but I've always been fascinated with the hawks that nested in New York City.  Three titles to check out are Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City (Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, March 11, 2008) written by Janet Schulman with illustrations by Meilo So,  The Tale of Pale Male: A True Story (Harcourt, Inc., March 1, 2007) written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter and City Hawk: The Story of Pale Male (Paula Wiseman Books, Simon & Schuster, September 11, 2007) written and illustrated by Meghan McCarthy.

Snug As Can Be

The sight of them holds so much promise.  They swoop, glide and soar from place to place looking for materials unique to their practical plan.  It's spring in northern Michigan.  Our state birds have returned building nests in which their distinctive blue eggs will hatch.  This year as mentioned in an earlier post my new planting of ivy was home to a family of robins for many weeks.

 Due to an experience similar to mine, author Jennifer Ward began to investigate about avian architects.  In her most recent title, Mama Built a Little Nest (Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division) with illustrations by Steve Jenkins, she offers readers a spirited but informative glimpse at birds and their creative engineering (or not) used in nest building.  Fourteen designs destined to house eggs and their newly hatched inhabitants will increase our appreciation for our feathered friends around the world.

Mama built a little nest
inside a sturdy trunk.
She used her beak to tap-tap-tap
the perfect place to bunk.


As a team woodpecker parents carve a hole in a tree.  A trap used by one insect to snare others is needed to fashion a flexible home for some of our smallest winged wonders.  There are lazy or wily, depending on your point of view, birds that lay their eggs in other birds' nests.  Obviously parenting is not their forte.

Papa's feet fold around a single egg.  Scuffed in sky high stone protection is provided.  A creature of cactus creates not one, not two, but three or more nests hoping to attract a female companion.  Those not used serve an ingenious purpose.

Hanging homes, underground abodes, and floating rafts for one serve their babies well.  Walking along a shore line who can say whether its rocks or eggs.  Oh, they are such clever beings.

Body fluids, body waste and mounds of mud shape residences. Nests larger around than some readers are tall would make the best kind of tree houses.  These special resting places are incredible to behold; essential to survival.


On the left hand side of each two pages dedicated to a single bird, Jennifer Ward has written a four line poem; sometimes a single sentence, sometimes two or three.  The second and fourth lines rhyme calling readers' attention to a special characteristic about a specialized spot for eggs and the young.  Expanding on the original thought she provides more details on the right; intriguing items to further our understanding.


Luminous white is the background for the precise collage illustrations of Steve Jenkins.  Piece by piece, layer by layer, he builds two-page masterpieces.  The skillful layout and design seen on the matching dust jacket and book case are found throughout the book.  Identical opening and closing endpapers are green on green feathers carefully patterned from left to right.

Red feathers on the crests of pileated woodpeckers, slender beaks on hummingbirds, texture on rocky crags, spines and bright flowers on cactus, or eyes looking out, above, down or at you alive with inquiry are a part of each visual.  The perspectives selected by Jenkins draw your eyes into each illustration.  It's as if you are looking through the zoom lens of a camera revealing every intricate aspect.

One of my favorite pictures is toward the end where Steve Jenkins alters his background to match the shift in author Jennifer Ward's words.  Without giving away too much, it, as do her words, exudes warmth and a blend of the natural world with humans.  It makes a wonderful connection.


Mama Built a Little Nest written by Jennifer Ward with illustrations by Steve Jenkins is an outstanding introduction to this topic sure to encourage readers to take notice of the world around them.  The combination of rhythmic poetry, fascinating information and stunning illustrations makes this a must-have title in any collection.  There is an author's note and resources for further learning and exploration at the end.  I would pair this with Look Up!: Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LaBlanc Cate and Feathers Not Just For Flying by Melissa Stewart with illustrations by Sarah S. Brannen.

For more information on the additional works of Jennifer Ward and Steve Jenkins please follow the links to their respective websites embedded in their names.  By following this link to the publisher's website you can view pages from the book.  Author and blogger at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, Julie Danielson, offers additional images in a post.


Every week my knowledge base gets broader and deeper through participation in the 2014 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge hosted by Alyson Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy.  Enjoy the other titles posted by bloggers linked to her web page.

See What You Can See

Recently cold weather, more like early October, has been visiting northern Michigan.  It's allowed windows to be open and fresh air to circulate through the house.  Last evening, rather than the splashing of Black-Capped Chickadees and American Goldfinches in the bird baths, outside the front picture window I heard a high-pitched chittering.  Two hummingbirds were having a "discussion" about territory.

This was a gentle reminder for me to appreciate my feathered friends; all too soon many will be heading south.  Annette LeBlanc Cate has written and illustrated Look Up!: Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard (Candlewick Press, March 12, 2013) to offer younger or beginner bird-watchers hints on how to enjoy it best.  She reminds readers to take the time to notice what's right in front of our eyes.

Cate's passion for her subject in word and illustration spills out to the jacket, cover and endpapers.  The chirping chatter of birds, comic to the core, is shown on the matching jacket and cover in speech bubbles as a major attention grabber.  Front endpapers broken into panels give advice on What NOT to bring when you watch birds!, What Do You Need to Watch Birds?, And then there's stuff for drawing and taking notes..., and here are some other useful things!, and Bird-Watching Do's...and Don'ts! Appropriate comments from a roadrunner, a buzzard, a seagull and a hummingbird (to name a few) are scattered about the title page and verso.

Buzzard: I wouldn't be caught dead in a backyard. Unless there was dead stuff of course.

Every turn of page is stuffed with information from Cate in the text as well as the funny banter from her avian companions and human characters, including the author's comments about assistance from veteran birder, Jim Baron, and the table of contents.  Her upbeat, four page introduction is sure to entice readers to commit to the book in its entirety if they have not already done so.  Her final four thoughts, sentences, convey truths that will strike a common chord.

Chapter headings read: A Great Place to Start, A Rainbow of Color, Shapes Are Clues, What Are They Up To?, Note the Fine Details, Feathers 'n' Such, Listen Closely, Time for a Field Guide!, The Power of Observation, Where Birds Are At: Habitat, Home in the Range, To You It's Vacation; to Us It's Migration!, and Off You Go to Classification Class!  Snippets (paragraphs, sentences or phrases) of information, detailed but not too detailed, just right, are relayed in a conversational manner within each distinct section.  Asides shown in the speech bubbles continue as rebuttals or reinforcement to the narrative.  Narrow textual extras placed at the bottom of the pages, Wing tip, Look Closely, Foot note and Be a birdbrain add a final layer to the thematic text.

We learn right outside our window or doorway birds are walking, talking and flying.  We learn about the color scheme given to each as well as the tiniest of details; a means for identification.  We learn that specific shapes of bodies, heads, silhouettes in flight, feet and bills help to put birds in certain categories.

Behavior observed on a daily basis helps us to notice differences in a single bird and the presence of others.  Our observations can also place a particular bird in a particular habitat.  Feather color, density and shape can help determine a bird's age.  Terms such as plumage, field markings, migration, range and classification will make their way into the reader's vocabulary.

Most importantly Cate asks us to be silent; listening to the birdsong.  What might each bird be trying to convey?  The same bird can sound differently according to need.

Using panels again on the closing endpapers, readers see such heading as Some Thoughts about Bird Drawing, and Some last tips for you. In drawing Annette LeBlanc Cate asks readers to first focus on shape and practice, practice, and practice some more.  Everywhere we are, birds are.  Look, listen, and get out your sketchbook.


Two words pop into my mind when I think of this book, information and humor.  Factual presentation in the body of the book and in the extra captions is worded specifically for a novice to bird-watching.  It is countered with the spot-on statements liberally loaded with fun made by the gathered birds.  Here is a sample.

Some birds sport fanciful hairdos and cool little hats (field guides call 'em crests). Some crests are small and secret, like those of the Orange-crowned Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and only shown when the bird is feeling aggressive.
One bird to another: We're like the Incredible Hulks of the avian world.
Reply: Yeah! You see the crests up, you gonna get messed up!


All of the illustrations rendered in watercolor and ink are as light and airy as birds in flight.  Reminiscent of sketchbooks themselves, they invite exploration on and off the page.  It's as if  Annette LeBlanc Cate has shared her personal observations with her readers, presenting us with pages from her own books.  No two pages are alike; readers are met with a visual potpourri, a splendid representation in layout and perspective.


To date Look Up!: Bird Watching in Your Own Backyard written and illustrated by Annette LeBlanc Cate has earned four starred reviews, The Horn Book, Kirkus, School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly.  It has earned a Parents' Choice Gold Award for Non-Fiction Spring 2013. I have had it in my hand at my favorite indie bookstore, McLean & Eakin in Petoskey, several times.  But it was a conversation on Twitter between two members of my PLN, Katherine Sokolowski and Jen Vincent (who reviewed it here) and myself that made me realize I had to read this book now.  It is a must read folks for any age!

Here is an interview with Annette LeBlanc Cate at Prairie Birder about this title that is completely fascinating, part one and part two.  Here is a link to the publisher website to take a look at two of the book's pages.  Not only is Annette LeBlanc Cate passionate about birds but this video clearly states her commitment to children's picture books.

Soaring The Skies...

Without fail their very presence gives one pause.  Gliding through the air without a sound or sitting in a tree or nest like a silent sentinel, they are the essence of royalty.  With a wing span between six and eight feet, the bald eagle is one of nature's most impressive creatures.

We nearly lost all this beauty.  Thankfully for now and future generations there were people who recognized the dangers; doing what they could to save this magnificent bird.  In The Eagles Are Back (Dial Books for Young Readers) written by the late Jean Craighead George with paintings by Wendell Minor, readers follow the efforts of one boy; seeing the difference a single individual can make.


Years ago a boy climbed to an eagle nest in an old tree by a remote lake.

He is worried about two adult bald eagles he has named Uncle Sam and First Lady; not having seen them for some time.  As he peers down into the nest he sees two crushed eggs.

The boy knows his friend the ranger is worried about their diminishing numbers.  The boy knows when the bald eagle was chosen as our national bird there were a half a million populating this great nation; a huge part of an ecological food chain.  Now there are only 450 pairs left.

Hunters, loss of habitat and the use of DDT (since banned) are all contributing factors.  Not having eaglets to watch this year will be strange.  Two things happen to the boy as he is leaving the forest; Uncle Sam swoops down to get a fish and his friend, the ranger, has a special treasure to show him.

Another ranger in Alaska sent him an eagle egg. He is hoping Uncle Sam and First Lady will adopt it. In order for this to work though the boy's help is necessary.  Called to duty in another park the ranger asks the boy to watch the nest.

If the pair of eagles do not return to the nest within four days, the boy's duties will no longer be needed. Day one, he whistles. They do not come. Day two, he whistles. They do not come.

On the third day the boy calls to them all day until the sun is setting.  Without warning they suddenly appear, flying to the nest.  The boy watches as first Uncle Sam, then First Lady take a turn sitting on the egg.  They've made the egg their own.

Waiting and watching, watching and waiting, the boy helps as he best knows how. A egg, a pair of bald eagles, two park rangers and this boy turn hope into reality, so that some day a father can bring his son to see more than thirty eagles.  The skies never looked so good.


Over the years reading the works of Jean Craighead George one can't help but fall under the spell of her words; words taking us deep into the natural world, giving us a great respect and appreciation for those creatures sharing our planet.  She informs by weaving what is known to be true into her narratives as well as inviting us to look further, igniting an interest.  In this particular title I was curious to know how close to the truth the story was, so I sent an email to her friend of twenty-two years and collaborator, Wendell Minor.

Mr. Minor's response was:

Jean Craighead George's older twin brothers, John and Frank, were the first raptor keepers in the United States, and were indeed involved in saving eagles.  "The Eagles Are Back" is based on their endeavors, but is told through the fictional character of a young boy."

In the conversation of this email he also informed me there will be one more title released in 2014 illuminating their shared talents, Galapagos George.  He closed the email with good news just received this week about Jean Craighead George.







Wendell Minor welcomes readers to this title with his matching jacket and cover  rendered (as are all the paintings) using

Winsor & Newton designer's gouache and watercolor with pencil on Strathmore 500 bristol board

in rich, warm colors.  The back illustration is taken from within the body of the work; the boy is tossing a fish he caught to the eagle to feed the eaglet.  A close up of an eagle in flight spans the title page followed by the verso and dedication with a two page panoramic view of a valley overlooked by the eagle pair.

Minor alternates his painting sizes as a reflection of the text.  All of the double and single page spreads go edge to edge to give the reader a sense of wonder but also an intimacy with the story.  When text appears opposite a one page illustration a wide border is formed with a fine golden line; each of these pages featuring a smaller inset painting.  His perspective, lines, and brush strokes combine to create a living breathing texture; a truly realistic rendition.


The Eagles Are Back by Jean Craighead George with paintings by Wendell Minor portrays the importance, the beautiful unbroken chain, that was and needs to be protected and preserved.  It is meant to and can be enjoyed by all ages.  Please visit the author and illustrator websites via the links embedded in their names.

An illustrator's note on the verso explains the research process Wendell Minor used prior to beginning his paintings. There is a short bibliography of websites on bald eagles at the conclusion of the book.  Mr. Minor and his wife, Florence, were gracious enough to include two additional images in their emails which are shown below.

Winged Wonders

I feel very fortunate that, for whatever reason, for as long as I can remember, I have been aware of the natural world around me.  When the birds migrate south for winter, I am acutely aware of the heavy silence left by their absence.  But in that silence the cheerful call of a nearby Black-capped chickadee, when Xena and I are walking in the snow, is made all the sweeter.

With every nonfiction title I read about our world and its inhabitants, the importance of passing this mindfulness on to other generations is becoming increasingly important.  There are more than a few books in the 2012 Nerdy Book Club Award nominees which will would work well in this regard for readers of all ages.  One standout title is Birds Of A Feather (Chronicle Books, September 26, 2012) by Bernadette Gervais and Francesco Pittau.

Within twelve, yes only twelve, pages a vast array of interesting, intriguing information is presented through a series of flaps, fold-outs, using stunning artwork.  At the first turn of page (this book measures 15 1/2 inches tall, 11 1/4 inches wide) readers are greeted by four stark black flaps featuring white silhouettes of bird heads on the top and bird feet on the bottom.  Initially you might think the head and feet are matched pairs but when the flaps are lifted, each reveals a single important fact about four different birds colorfully displayed in their entirety.

White with black bird head silhouettes covering the entire page, facing one another, follow.  For these two the whole page lifts up to showcase the silhouetted bird stating a little-known attribute next to a large portrait of each, reminiscent of Audubon.  Twelve flaps in total cover the next two pages; each a close-up of a bird's feathers.  With a lift readers discover a new fact about each as well as seeing a full body view of the bird.

Sixteen eggs of varying sizes, each converted to lift, cover the next two pages.  When they are lifted a feat of paper engineering displays a replica of the bird as a pop-up whose egg is highlighted with an accompanying bit of information.  Whether you are a fan of mix and match flaps or not, the ninth and tenth pages are a treat focusing on six different birds.

Ending as it began the concluding pages are black.  Each are a series of four inter-locking puzzle pieces with a single circular die-cut on each piece giving a peek as to what is pictured below.  As each piece is opened a single quality on the underside is written in white; full page illustrations of two different owls appear.


Simple sentences state a unique detail about the more than forty featured birds.  Pittau and Gervais somehow have managed to introduce a precise bit of information you never knew, but now you're glad you do know.  Ostriches are the fastest two-legged animals on the planet.  Emperor penguins can stay underwater longer than any other bird.  Zebra finches pass their songs from father to son.  Common buzzards attract their mates by spiraling downward in flight.  Their characteristics make each special; a part of our planet to be preserved.


Even not knowing the medium used for the illustrations, their realistic portrayal is captivating in its authenticity.  The contrasts of white on black, black on white, alternating with full color when coupled with the lifting of flaps, bring a sense of discovery to the reader much like looking for treasure.  Impeccable design and layout add to the symmetry; throughout all the birds on the left are facing those on the right and vice versa.


As a team Bernadette Gervais and Francesco Pittau have completed more than forty books.  Birds of a Feather is a visual and factual tribute to their considerable skills.  I foresee multiple purchases necessary to satisfy the demand for this wonderful volume.

To celebrate the first day of 2013, I will give a copy of this book to the first person who can tell me in the comments or on Twitter, one of the two states in the United States which has the Black-capped chickadee as their state bird.