02/22/2016
This striking tribute to avian diversity introduces 20 North American species of birds. VanDerwater’s subtle poem describes their distinguishing characteristics, often using as few as four words per bird: “Heron fishes with his bill./ Sparrow hops in brown./ Mockingbird has many voices./ Pigeon lives in town.” These succinct profiles are bookended by quiet verses about bird-watching. Newcomer Metrano’s lovely cut-paper artwork gives the birds crisp outlines and distinct feather patterns; set against unadorned, colored backgrounds, the birds take on the poised, posed quality of stained glass windows. A closing section offers additional details about each bird. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown. (Feb.)
Praise for Every Day Birds : "[VanDerwater has] chosen birds preschoolers are likely to notice, birds they'll encounter outside their windows and in their yards--chickadees, cardinals, and sparrows--and birds they might see on trips to parks and beaches--hawks, herons, gulls.... Metrano's bold cut-paper illustrations show identifiable birds in appropriate poses against a clean, solid-color background, with just a hint of their likely habitat.... Beginning birding at its best, this pleasing presentation is ideal for families with preschoolers but would work well for storytime, too." -- Kirkus ReviewsPraise for Forest Has a Song by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater and illustrated by Robbin Gourley : "Dip into this appealing collection for an introduction to early nature studies or poetry writing, or for generating some well-deserved enthusiasm for a stroll in the great outdoors." -- Booklist "Children will understand this poetry as the quiet beauty of the forest is given a voice." -- Children's Literature "Readers, too, may want to return to these explorations over and over." -- Kirkus Reviews "The verses are approachable for readers and vivid for readaloud listeners, so this is a title with a broad spread of possible use. Even if there's no nearby forest, just have kids close their eyes, listen to the poetry, and imagine that there is." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
02/01/2016
PreS-Gr 2—This book introduces children to 20 common North American birds via simple, rhyming verses that highlight the avian species' appearances and/or behaviors ("HERON fishes with his bill./SPARROW hops in brown./MOCKINGBIRD has many voices./PIGEON lives in town.") and clear, often life-size cut-paper illustrations. Set against predominantly solid backgrounds, the expert paper-cuts are bold and eye-catching, capturing the texture and telltale characteristics of the birds' plumage. While all of the illustrations are aesthetically pleasing, not all of the subjects appear to be to scale in the pairings, and the distinctive blue jay and American goldfinch are referred to merely as "Jay" and "Finch," respectively. A four-page visual glossary provides additional information. With this book and possibly a simplified field guide in hand, kids in the primary grades can sharpen observation skills and begin to learn a bit about their feathered neighbors. VERDICT A great way to expose children to the wonders of nature, many of which are in their own backyards.—Luann Toth, School Library Journal
2015-11-03
A birding primer and rhyming introduction to 20 familiar birds. Poet and nature lover VanDerwater opens her introduction with four lines that invite a young audience to join her explorations: "Every day we watch for birds / weaving through our sky. / We listen to their calls and songs. / We like to see them fly." She goes on to introduce 20 North American birds, representing common groups, with well-formed rhyming couplets. Each bird is presented on a single page along with one memorable characteristic: "NUTHATCH perches upside-down"; "GOOSE flies in a V." She's chosen birds preschoolers are likely to notice, birds they'll encounter outside their windows and in their yards—chickadees, cardinals, and sparrows—and birds they might see on trips to parks and beaches—hawks, herons, gulls. Throughout, and appropriately for her very young audience, she's used a single word to name the bird: jay for blue jay, finch for a goldfinch. Metrano's bold cut-paper illustrations show identifiable birds in appropriate poses against a clean, solid-color background, with just a hint of their likely habitat. This inviting introduction concludes with the poem as a whole and additional facts about each bird family next to thumbnail reproductions of each image. Beginning birding at its best, this pleasing presentation is ideal for families with preschoolers but would work well for storytime, too. (Informational picture book. 2-5)
