Birdology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Birds

Description

An engaging book that encourages young nature enthusiasts to explore the world of birds This generously illustrated, full-color book teaches kids that birds can be seen almost anywhere: in city parks and streets, zoos, farms, and backyards. Using "Try This," "Look For," and "Listen For" prompts, Birdology promotes independent observation and analysis, writing and drawing skills, and nature literacy. Kids observe the diversity of shapes, colors, patterns, and behavior of birds; listen for their songs and the clap of wings; make a juice-box feeder; plant flowers that attract hummingbirds; start a birding journal and sketchbook; and much more. Other topics that are presented in clear, kid-friendly prose include migration, nesting, food, territories, and conservation and preservation. Additional resources, such as a glossary, bird orders and scientific names, bird and wildlife organizations, and "Teacher Topics" to initiate classroom discussion and investigation, are also included.

Monica Russo is the author and illustrator of several children's nature books, including Amazing Insects, Chilly Creatures, Tree Almanac, and Watching Nature. She wrote the "Nature Notes" column for southern Maine's Sun Chronicle for many years. She is an experienced birdwatcher and a founding member of the Maine Entomological Society. Kevin Byron is a photographer who specializes in nature, wildlife, and ship images and whose work has appeared in many books, magazines, and newspapers, including BirdScope magazine, the Kennebunk Post, the New York Times, and Watching Nature. They both live in Kennebunk, Maine.

"The activities are relatively simple and could easily be done independently or as a family or class project. For older readers or adults who hope to encourage young nature watchers, a thorough and interesting exploration." Kirkus "This wide-format guide to everything avian is a great starting point for burgeoning bird-watchers. Each chapter offers a dizzying wealth of information about birds and their songs, field markings, beaks, wings, diet, behavior, habitats, and more." Booklist "I would not be surprised that this book produces some ornithologists in the future." Book Views by Alan Caruba "It is jam-packed, from cover to cover, with fascinating information, facts and tidbits about birds This would be a great book to use in the classroom to supplement a unit on birds or simply to sit down and read for pleasure." KidsReads "This is a great book for naturalists and bird watchers to share with a 7-to-12-year-old who wants to know what the feathered fuss is all about. Once you've got "Birdology," you'll both be singing its praises." The Bookworm Sez "There are so many fascinating lessons about birds to be learned, and Monica Russo guides readers through that learning process in such a way that they can lead themselves to a better understanding of the birds common to their own cities and states. The book is fascinating to read, the photographs are wonderful to look at and Birdology does a delightful job of turning middle readers into young ornithologists and protectors of planet earth." Smart Books for Smart Kids "Russo's enthusiasm for her subject is undeniable, as is her talent for making the subject understandable to children. In addition, Russo presents birdwatching as something nearly everyone can do it is just a matter of honing listening and observation skills." Asheville Citizen-Times