A Place for Birds (Place For...)

Gr 2-5--Small changes mark the revision of this attractive 2009 survey of how humans harm and help birds in their various environments. Bits of new material appear in several of the sidebars, which introduce specific birds. Just one, Kirtland's warbler, now contains less specific information. One entry--the common murre and a description of how oil spills adversely affect the species--was removed, replaced by an spread on Anna's hummingbird and material on the millions of birds that die each year after crashing into windows. The closing list of suggested ways children can help birds now carries a related item on marking windows at home or school. Several newer titles have also been added to the bibliography. The book is well organized and laid out and should make for a useful prompt for discussing human effects on the environment: statements about the problems birds encounter are accompanied by handsome, realistic paintings of the creatures in assorted settings with added sidebar discussion and small insets of nesting birds. VERDICT The original edition needn't be replaced, but collections that don't yet own the title should consider purchasing this revised version.--Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston