Customer Reviews

Backyard Birding for Kids

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Backyard Birding for Kids offers an introduction that's well targeted to the middle elementary school reader. Plenty of headers, short sidebars, and colorful computer art on every page make the text appealing and accessible to modern young eyes. Readers and browsers will quickly learn how to get started in bird watching, first in their own backyards, then on birding expeditions.
Instructions for hands-on activities, some requiring adult assistance, describe how to attract birds, how to make various feeders, how to start a bird-watching club, and what to do if you find a baby bird. An unusual suggestion is the "birdbath dripper," a simple device that lets wild birds enjoy a backyard shower. Also scattered throughout the text are fun facts. It's impressive to realize the scales on a bird's legs and feet are a visible link to their prehistoric reptilian ancestors.
No substitute for a comprehensive bird-identification guide, this book contains only a handful of bird descriptions for each habitat (backyard, city, woods, countryside, wetlands, seashore, and desert), and the illustrations lack sufficient detail for identifying exact species. The text differentiates American crow from common raven, for example, but their pictures are almost indistinguishable. Identification is not the book's main purpose, and the list of things to pack in a birder's backpack starts with a regular field guide, along with a notebook, binoculars, hat, ID, and such.
The real strength of Backyard Birding for Kids lies in the way the book offers concise and kid-friendly bites of information that will intrigue readers without overwhelming them.

This is a good book for young children (7-10) starting in birding. There is a lot of interesting facts about common birds. There is also ideas for homemade treats and homemade bird boxes and baths. I enjoyed this book myself. I would recommend it for the young "birder" in your family.

The book is bound for durability and printed on heavy paper for continued and enthusiastic use by children. As expected, the book is a basic introduction to birding, beginning with brief, easy-to-understand discussions on what a birdwatcher is, where to look, and what equipment is needed. Common names and species names are discussed and very informative sections are provided on the field mark system, parts of a bird (feathers, etc.), bird song, bird-watching etiquette, and the obvious, "birds are everywhere!"

The next several sections of the book delve into the various bird worlds, such as city birds, woodland birds, country birds, wetland birds, seashore birds, and desert birds. Common birds representing these habitat types are illustrated cartoon-like, but are adequate enough to bring out the field marks and allow for children to have an enjoyable time identifying birds.

Intermixed through these habitat sections are a variety of projects in which children can participate, such as starting a birding group, making hummingbird feeders and nesting boxes, planting sunflower gardens, and making birdbaths. Near the end of the book there are brief biographies on James Audubon and Roger Tory Peterson, two great men, and two great influences on birding. Also, advice is given on what to do when a baby bird is found and how to create a birding journal.

Overall, the book covers every aspect of birding that a child requires to start this wonderful and interesting hobby. For any child showing interest in birds and wildlife, this book is highly recommended as a starting point.

This is a fun book for kids with good information on watching birds. The cartoon book format might actually get kids outdoors. Give this and a pair of binoculars as a gift.