2018 was designated as the Year of the Bird as a way to mark the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. As their final event event of the year, the organizers are calling on people to share their love of birds. To participate, we’re exploring a variety of exciting new children’s books about birds this week.
Today we’re featuring Hawk Rising by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Brian Floca was nominated for a 2018 Cybils Award.)
“Father Hawk stretches wide his wings”
Written from a second person perspective, a young girl watches a family of red-tailed hawks throughout the course of a single day. Will the father bird be able to catch food to feed the chicks? (Content note:Â he does catch a squirrel and it shown realistically.)
Brian Floca’s illustrations are amazing, especially some of the hawk close up views. It’s no surprise that he’s won the Caldecott medal.
The back matter contains additional facts and suggestions for further reading to find the answers to the questions the book is sure to inspire.
Hawk Rising is a lovely introduction to raptors in general and red-tailed hawks in particular. Soar with a copy today.
Activity Suggestions
- Check out the red-tailed hawk page at All About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
- Animal Fact Files has a summary on these common raptors.
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (June 5, 2018)
ISBN-10: 9781626720961
ISBN-13: 978-1626720961
Don’t forget our growing list of books for young birdwatchers at Science Books for Kids.
Disclosure: This book was provided by our local library. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with 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.
We should say right up front that this is not a counting book, although there are plenty of birds in the illustrations to see and identify if the reader should want.
Using a fun format where each chapter reveals a surprise about a different group of animals, the author has found five science stories which often turn conventional wisdom upside down. In the first chapter, the term “bird brain” has a whole new meaning when scientists find that small size has nothing to do with power. In the following chapters readers discover whether birds have a sense of smell, how and why mama bears act during different seasons, and how pig grunts and alligator bellows may have more to say more than we originally thought. The last chapter ends with a hands-on activity for kids to try.
