Superlative Birds

Description

Get to know all about the best and brightest-and smelliest!-birds in Leslie Bulion's award-winning collection of avian science poetry. You won't even need binoculars! Ever wonder which bird has the loudest voice? Which one builds the biggest nest or has the most feathers? Get to know all about the best and brightest_x2015_and smelliest!_x2015_denizens of the bird world with this collection of nonfiction science verses. Award-winning science poetry author Leslie Bulion dedicates a variety of verse to these impressive birds and includes a science glossary, notes on poetic forms, and resources for more information in the back of the book. Witty drawings by Robert Meganck add another layer of fun to this humorous and informative gallery of the world's most accomplished birds. Ideal for cross-curricular learning, including units on animals, birds, nature, and poetry.

Leslie Bulion has graduate degrees in oceanography and social work. She has written parenting and education articles and is the author of several children's science-related poetry books and novels. When she's not writing, she enjoys exploring nature with her binoculars, hand lens, and camera; collecting specimens to examine under her microscope; or going SCUBA diving and or kayaking. Leslie lives in Connecticut. Designer and illustrator Robert Meganck, retired professor of illustration, graphic design, digital imaging, and color theory at Virginia Commonwealth University, received a BFA degree from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, and an MFA degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art. He has received over 300 awards for illustration and graphic design work, and been recognized for excellence by such organizations as The Society of Illustrators New York and The Society of Illustrators Los Angeles.

"With characteristic humor and carefully crafted language, poet Bulion offers readers amazing facts about birds of our world. . . . These engaging poems read aloud beautifully. . . . Meganck's digital illustrations reflect the humorous tone. . . . Excellent resources for further bird study complete this delightful offering. Entertaining and educational, a superlative package."-Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "Bulion is an accomplished wordsmith. . . . Illustration is engrossing, imaginative, instructive, and deftly calibrated to the tone of the text. . . there's enough trivia here to stoke middle grade know-it-alls. Even readers who are merely on fact-finding missions, though, will be impressed by the breadth and engagement of Bulion's chosen poetry forms. . . . In works such as Superlative Birds, the collaboration of poetry and science invites children of varying reading preferences, learning styles, and worldviews to enter nature study through their own chosen door." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred Review "Fascinating facts. . . Meganck's illustrations are one-dimensional and friendly, placing the birds against uncluttered backgrounds while clearly emphasizing the characteristic being highlighted by each poem."-Booklist, Starred Review "A "top of the class" example of combining two different subjects that are approachable and a joy to read. A win for science and English classrooms." -School Library Journal