Bird Count

by Susan Edwards Richmond, Stephanie Fizer Coleman (Illustrator)

Overview

The National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count stars in this charming picture book, just right for young citizen scientists, bird watchers, and nature aficionados.

“A wonderful introduction to bird-watching and the concept of observing nature… Parents be warned: this book is so appealing that, come next December, you may find yourself out in the cold, counting birds.” ―Booklist Online

For the New England Christmas Bird Count, young Ava and her mother prepare to be the best “citizen scientists” they can be. With the help of their team leader Big Al, they record the tally of all the birds they see. Ava dutifully counts all the birds along the way, using her most important tools―her eyes and ears―and the birding identification techniques she’s learned. But will she locate her favorite raven again this year in time for their town’s annual Christmas Bird Count party?

Author Susan Edwards Richmond introduces young readers to birdwatching with simple explanations of birdwatching techniques and clear descriptions of bird habitats. Stephanie Fizer Coleman’s charming illustrations add color and context to a joyful story that’s sure to inspire the citizen scientist in us all.

Backmatter includes more information about all the birds featured in the book and about the Christmas Bird Count, the nation’s longest-running community science bird project.

Teacher’s Guide available!

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens

Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781561459544
Publisher:	Peachtree Publishing Company
Publication date:	10/01/2019
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	340,904
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 10.60(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Susan Edwards Richmond teaches preschool on a farm and wildlife sanctuary in eastern Massachusetts. She earned her M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of California, Davis, and is the author of five collections of nature-based poetry for adults. She is happiest exploring natural habitats with her husband and two daughters, and learns the native birds wherever she travels.

Stephanie Fizer Coleman is an illustrator and freelance designer. She has created the art for many children’s books and loves drawing animals. For her 100 Days project in 2018, she drew one hundred birds, one day at a time.

Interviews

“A wonderful introduction to bird-watching and the concept of observing nature… Parents be warned: this book is so appealing that, come next December, you may find yourself out in the cold, counting birds.” —Booklist Online

Editorial Reviews

10/07/2019

This picture book, informed by the author’s own decades of experience as a birder, follows Ava, her mother, and Big Al, the leader of their Christmas Bird Count team, as they travel around town recording the birds they see and hear for the annual winter census. A notebook sidebar itemizing Ava’s tallies is a welcome design element, allowing curious readers to keep track of the birds alongside the trio of citizen scientists. Back matter provides further details on the species featured, the importance of the Christmas Bird Count, and information on how to join one of the National Audubon Society’s count circles. While a bit hefty as a readaloud (“I saw one two years ago, but not last year”), younger readers may enjoy counting the birds in Coleman’s textured digital illustrations, which portray humans and birds in a friendly style. An instructive and attractive picture book for aspiring ornithologists and young nature aficionados. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

11/01/2019

Gr 3–5—Ava and her mother help with the annual Christmas Bird Count every year, where they join forces with other members of their community to note the birds they see in and around their neighborhood. This year is special: Ava gets to be in charge of keeping track of the birds they see and hear. The data they collect will help scientists understand patterns in the lives of the many birds in the world. Along with their team captain, Big Al, the three embark on a journey of identification and study that culminates in a celebration with other teams in their count circle. Soft, detailed illustrations bring the winter world to life, depict many bird species, and capture the sounds and feelings of a chilly winter day. Readers will love searching for birds along with Ava and her companions. A running tally at the far right side of the pages helps readers keep track of the birds they have seen. VERDICT This book introduces elementary school readers to the world of birds and citizen science in an accessible, welcoming way.—Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver Public Library

School Library Journal

2019-06-16
A young citizen scientist helps count birds for the Christmas Bird Count, a hemispherewide event run by the National Audubon Society.

On a snowy winter morning, Ava and her mother bundle up to spend their day driving and walking around through varying habitats to count birds in the area designated to them by their local organizer. This year, Ava's old enough to take the tally, which, in a clever design feature, runs along the side of each spread. Count guidelines are smoothly worked into Richmond's narrative: Count every bird you see or hear; make sure at least two people see or hear it; don't count any bird more than once. She even explains how a tally is marked. The birds, familiar to residents of eastern and central North America, are faithfully shown in context in Coleman's digital paintings. Ava and her mother have light brown skin, and Ava's hair is lighter and fluffier than her mother's straight, black locks; team leader Big Al presents white. The author builds suspense by including Ava's hope to see a raven again—a bird she saw two years ago but not on last year's count. The story includes common frustrations: birds only one person sees and birds that were probably counted already. Their final tally—24 species, from great horned owl in the early morning to the longed-for raven at dusk—is quite respectable, and more about each featured species appears in the backmatter.

An engaging, informative introduction. (author's note) (Informational picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews

Clever design… Count guidelines are smoothly worked into Richmond's narrative... An engaging, informative introduction. ” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

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