2018 was designated as the Year of the Bird (official website). As their final event event of the year, the organizers are calling on people to share their love of birds. To participate, we’re going to explore a variety of exciting new children’s books about birds this week.

So many great children’s books about birds and birdwatching have been published this year that today we are going to double up.

For the youngest reader we have Bird Builds a Nest by Martin Jenkins and illustrated by Richard Jones (nominated for a 2018 Cybils Award.)

In a clever juxtaposition, this picture book is not only about how birds build nests, but as the author explains on page 2, it is also about the physics of forces.

 Turning around and around, pushing with her whole body, she makes a snug little cup, smooth and soft on the inside.

In the back matter there are questions to ask about pushing and pulling and a simple activity suggestion.

Bird Builds a Nest is a perfect choice for fledgling scientists and birdwatchers alike.

Activity Suggestion:

Build a child-sized nest (our post from 2008!)

Age Range: 4 – 6 years
Publisher: Candlewick (January 17, 2018)
ISBN-10: 0763693464
ISBN-13: 978-0763693466

Our second choice, Warblers & Woodpeckers: A Father-Son Big Year of Birding by Sneed B. Collard III, is for adults and older kids.

Have you heard of the birdwatching event known as Big Year? It is an informal challenge associated with the American Birding Association where birders try to see and or hear as many different species of birds as possible within a single year.

Sneed B. Collard III and his adolescent son Braden did a Big Year challenge in 2016. To try to experience as many birds as possible, they traveled to birding hot spots throughout North and South America. Warblers & Woodpeckers is a record of their many adventures. From encounters with “killer” bees to spotting a Northern pygmy owl in the pines, their travels will keep readers enthralled.

The book contains some color photographs of the birders and some of the birds they found. You can see much more at their Father Son Birding blog.

Warblers & Woodpeckers might just inspire young adults to try their own big adventure, whether it is a Big Year or a another challenge that comes from their own interests. Check out a copy today.

 

Activity Suggestion

Keep a journal of your own birding experiences.

 

Previous titles by Sneed B. Collard III reviewed here at Growing With Science:

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Mountaineers Books (August 17, 2018)
ISBN-10: 168051136X
ISBN-13: 978-1680511369

Don’t forget our growing list of books for young birdwatchers at Science Books for Kids.

Disclosure: These books were provided for review. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can show you cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.