Bring on the Birds

PreS-Gr 2--Birds of a feather come in many guises and behave in myriad ways. This cheerful survey introduces 21 species from varied parts of the world in spare, rhyming text and attractive acrylic paintings. The birds swoop, whoop, dance, and dive. They have puffy chests, fluffy crests, and other fine features. Picture placement follows the nice rhythm of the text with each two sets of facing framed paintings followed by a double-page view for each of the longer phrases of verse. Simple, flat stylized settings--only a narrow swath of pale blue highlights the ptarmigan group nestled between snowy hills and white sky--showcase the lively, colorful birds, providing an inviting introduction to this hugely varied animal family. Their actual names are given only in the concluding picture glossary, which offers just a sentence or two about some significant feature or behavior of each bird and tells the world area(s) in which it lives. The closing poetic phrase states the common features of all the birds--"All of them have feathers, /and all are hatched from eggs." Carefully crafted in charm and simplicity, the book offers many possibilities for use and enjoyment in reading aloud, browsing, and teaching. The pictures invite a lingering look, easily stimulating observation and discussion.--Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston