Birdology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Birds (Young Naturalists #3)

by Monica Russo (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

AAAS Subaru SB&F Excellence in Science Finalist 2016
NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 2016

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.

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Paperback
$19.99

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Kirkus Reviews

For older readers or adults who hope to encourage young nature watchers, a thorough and interesting exploration.

Booklist

This wide-format guide to everything avian is a great starting point for burgeoning bird-watchers. 

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6--One way to address today's "nature deficit" is to focus on the birds outside almost every window. Observation activities set off in color text boxes are designed to develop observation skills and cultivate an understanding of bird behavior. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of birds, such as field marks, beaks and feet, wings, eyes and nests, and more. Feathers make birds unique, and the first chapter describes the different kinds. Color photos of wing and tail feathers highlight their different shapes, and photographs of birds in flight show how the feathers function. One "Eyes Only" box explains that since picking up a wild bird feather is not only illegal but also not healthy, looking without touching is best. "Try This" boxes highlight such activities as bird feeding, walking like a heron, and building a small brush pile where birds can roost. One "Listen For" alerts novice bird observers to figure out different bird songs, calls and alarm signals, and the honking and quacking of birds in flight. An excellent glossary of "Bird Words" provides definitions, and the four-page index differentiates pictures from text with italics. Beautifully illustrated with full color photographs and sketches, this is sure to create new bird watchers.--Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"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
Monica Russo

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.

Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781613749494
Lexile Measure
1070
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Chicago Review Press
Publication date
January 20, 2015
Series
Young Naturalists
BISAC categories
JNF003030 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Birds
JNF051000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | General
Library of Congress categories
Bird watching
Bird attracting

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