About Birds: A Guide for Children (About... (Peachtree Hardcover)) [Hardcover]

Cathryn Sill (Author), John Sill (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: About... (Peachtree Hardcover)

IN THIS DELIGHTFUL BOOK, teacher and birder Cathryn Sill explains to children what birds are, what they do, and how they live. Accompanied by beautifully detailed illustrations from noted wildlife illustrator John Sill, About Birds is a first, thoughtful glimpse into the world of birds, from eggs to nest, from songs to flight. Simple and enlightening, About Birds tells children what is essential for understanding and appreciating birds. An afterword provides further detail for youthful ornithologists and their parents regarding bird identification.

About Birds will faithfully answer the first questions of young ornithologists and charm adults with the wonder and diversity of this important species.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Various species of North American birds fly, swim and run across the pages of this picture-book field guide. for beginning birders. Lucid text provides basic information on general bird habits--"Birds may flock together"; "Birds use their bills to gather food"--while lifelike watercolors offer visual clues to their natural habitats. The crisp illustrations carefully highlight the physical markings and relative sizes of birds for easy identification in the wild. For more advanced readers, a succinct afterword repeats the illustrations in black-and-white miniature and expands the book's text with more specific data. This volume is a true treat for the ecologically minded and especially for budding ornithologists. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Exceptionally detailed and uniformly accurate watercolors are each accompanied by a line of descriptive text that offers one straightforward fact about birds: ``Birds have feathers.'' ``Birds travel in different ways.'' ``Most birds fly,'' ``but some swim,'' ``and others run.'' Many are species young people are likely to encounter (Canada goose and American robin), while others (the greater roadrunner or the great horned owl) may be more difficult to locate. The illustrations depict the birds in their appropriate habitats. An afterword adds slightly more detailed information about each species, including the sizes of the nine birds. Little else on this subject exists at such a young level and the Sills succeed admirably in offering a basic introduction to the unique characteristics of birds. Minor quibbles: sometimes only the male of the species is shown, at others both sexes are pictured; in neither instance are readers given any aid in determining gender. In spite of these problems, most librarians will find this a priority purchase since it will fill a niche in their collections. --Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, CT
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers; illustrated edition edition (October 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561450286
• ISBN-13: 978-1561450282
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #852,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My son reads it every night!, January 18, 2007

By 

J. Hughes (Toronto, ON) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: About Birds: A Guide for Children (About... (Peachtree Hardcover)) (Hardcover)

I looked around a lot for a bird book for my son/his dad who love to watch the birds together. I purchased this after reading another review so I felt that I should give my own. Considering how difficult this book was to find, it was definetly worth the wait. My son is 21 months and just loves reading the "Birdee Book". The pictures are beautiful and the written text is short and sweet which is perfect for young children. I also feel that it is doing a great job of teaching him the difference between birds in the sense that there are ducks, geese, birds, etc.. and prior to this book all of them were just "Birds". I would recommend this for any child above 18 months.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great first book about birds, April 2, 2006

By 

Mamajosh (GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: About Birds: A Guide for Children (Paperback)

This is such a pretty simple book. The pictures are lovely and the writing is perfect for the youngest children. This book is best for kids between 3 and 6 years old.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars delightful book, March 11, 2006

By 

Karen L. Christenson (orem, utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: About Birds: A Guide for Children (Paperback)

I bought this book for my granddaughters. They have loved it from the 2 yr. old to the 8 year old. I enjoyed it,too. The sounds brought memories of birds I'm familiar with.