What It's Like to Be a Bird

by David Allen Sibley (Author)

What It's Like to Be a Bird
Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

In this edition for young readers adapted from the bestselling work written and illustrated by David Allen Sibley, readers will find a unique treasure trove of fascinating facts about birds, paired with more than 300 full-color illustrations--some life-size! The extraordinary world of birds is brought to life on the page.

Did you know that many species of birds have sensory abilities that surpass those of humans? Or that some birds spend the entire winter in the air, and even sleep while flying? Have you ever wondered why birds have feathers? Or why they are a particular color? Have you noticed that some birdsong sounds like a musical scale?

Maybe you're more interested in "how" questions: How do birds actually fly or swim? How and why do some birds migrate? How do they find food? How do they take care of their offspring?

Birds are not only beautiful and fascinating, but they also serve an essential role in our ecosystem. This book shows how birds and humans are intrinsically connected, sometimes helping and sometimes hindering each other. Perfect for dedicated birdwatchers--or for anyone who simply delights in noticing birds in their neighborhood.

Readers can explore, share, and return to the pages again and again, each time gaining a broader appreciation for our enchanting feathered friends.

Select format:
Hardcover
$19.99

Kirkus Reviews

Starred Review
An immensely entertaining and enlightening volume that will entice both adults and children.

Booklist

Sibley brings his adult study on the nature and behavior of birds to a younger audience. [The] arrangement [of text] into lists and the repetition of core concepts make it easy to digest, as does the book's browsable structure. 

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 4-8--From well-respected birding expert Sibley comes this beautifully illustrated book for middle grade readers, delving into such questions as "Why do birds need feathers?" and "How do birds find food?" The writing is fairly detailed, yet each bird introduced is limited to a spread complete with a colored illustration, making it easier to digest the details. Sensibly organized, Sibley focuses on the essence of each bird species presented. With crows he may focus on behavior, yet with a finch he may choose to share information on feeding or nest building. For readers who may only glean tidbits, there are some mesmerizing facts. Did you know that feathers wear out, birds have no teeth, and all birds molt? In addition to excellent information about a variety of birds, there are occasional activities peppered throughout. There are bird species presented from across the entire United States. Whether readers live in an urban or rural area, we all have birds in our communities to observe and learn about. Sibley achieves this by sharing his own dedication to and fascination with our feathered friends, truly answering the titular question, "what it's like to be a bird?" VERDICT A superior volume of well-researched facts and figures; a must-have for young bird nerds.--Linda Annable

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

★­ "A superior ­volume of ­well-researched facts and ­figures; a ­must-have for young bird nerds." —School Library Journal, starred review 

David Allen Sibley
DAVID ALLEN SIBLEY is the author and illustrator of the series of successful guides to nature that bear his name, including The Sibley Guide to Birds. He has contributed to Smithsonian, Science, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, Birding, BirdWatching, North American Birds, and The New York Times. He is a recipient of the Roger Tory Peterson Award for Promoting the Cause of Birding from the American Birding Association and the Linnaean Society of New York's Eisenmann Medal. He lives and birds in Massachusetts.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780593430187
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Delacorte Press
Publication date
October 20, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF003030 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Birds
JNF051100 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Environmental Science & Ecosystems
JNF016000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Curiosities & Wonders
Library of Congress categories
Birds

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