The Children's Book of Birdwatching
Written by Dan Rouse ● Illustrated by Abby Cook and others
Verdict:
A practical guide for young birdwatchers to learn about and observe the many flying wonders living all around them.
What is it about?
Summertime is nature time, and one of the easiest entry points into the natural world is the birds right outside your door. This book helps young readers find them, attract them, and observe them, respectfully and carefully. It covers how to make and offer food, including growing the plants birds love; how to build nest boxes and bird houses; how to provide water through baths and ponds; and how to care for birds through the seasons. A bird guide and glossary at the back make it a useful reference to return to again and again.
Our take:
While some bird and nature books can feel passive and distant, this one turns observation into action. Children learn to identify what they see, how to build, grow, and create conditions that invite birds into their lives. That hands-on dimension makes it a genuinely memorable read that could well become a favorite for the nature or animal-obsessed young reader.
Perfect fit for:
Birdwatching might be a millennial trend, but there’s no right age to start appreciating these flying wonders. This is a perfect book for a home or classroom library. It will get much use for identifying birds and inspiring new projects, and even for simply looking at the pictures. Sections can be read aloud in preparation for a bird watching expedition or a bird project. All ages of children from toddler on up (and their adults) can benefit from this book.
Conversation Starters
What makes a bird a bird? (Feathers! And hollow bones so it is very light, and a beak or bill, wings and two legs.)
Where do we see birds around us? What kinds?
What do our birds eat? Shall we help them? When, in summer or winter?
Have you seen a bird building a nest? What did it use?
What things should we be careful of, so as not to harm birds?
What colors can birds be?
Do we have plants around us that birds like?
STORYVOR uses affiliate links. When you make a purchase through our buy links, you directly support our mission to spread literacy at no extra cost to you, and help keep free teaching and book resources available to parents and educators around the world.
