Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists) [Hardcover]

Karen Stray Nolting (Author), Jonathan Latimer (Author), Roger Tory Peterson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 1999 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists

This new series is designed with the beginner in mind. Featuring the original art of celebrated naturalist Roger Tory Peterson; incorporating the Peterson Identification System, the most effective method for bird identification; and using a straightforward design. This series makes field guides accessible and appealing to children. Roger Tory Peterson was the inventor of the modern field guide. Known as the father of modern bird watching, he has been called "the greatest conservationist who ever walked this planet" (ornithologist Chandler S. Robbins). More than anyone else in the twentieth century, his work as an artist, photographer, writer, editor, educator, and conservationist has increased environmental awareness and helped millions to understand and enjoy the natural world. For his work, Dr. Peterson received every major award in the field of conservation; twenty-three honorary degrees from major universities; and the United States' highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal o

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-Field guides that offer tips on identification. Backyard Birds features types "...you are likely to see where you live"; Birds of Prey, the "...swift and often silent hunters..."; Bizarre Birds, North American birds with a unique characteristic; and Shorebirds that can be found "...near the bodies of fresh water and salt water in North America." Each guidebook includes a rather subjective selection of about 20 creatures. The organization of material is different in each title: the backyard birds are grouped by color, the raptors by size, and the bizarre birds by such characteristics as odd bills. The shorebirds are arranged by where they are likely to be seen-the air, water, ground, or grass. A two-page entry for each creature instructs readers on how to recognize it and provides a solid introduction to individual characteristics. Although the information is clear, there are some omissions. For example, three of the texts stress the importance of knowing the size of the bird as a clue to its identification but neither measurements nor range maps are included. However, bright, full-color photographs and drawings clearly indicate distinguishing features. Useful, accessible additions.
Frances E. Millhouser, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Scientific American

From the new series "Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists," Backyard Birds is a wonderful handbook for the novice birder. Whether your young bird-watcher is a curious casual observer or a more systematic collector of sightings, he or she will find this guide informative and easy to follow. Featuring illustrations by the famous naturalist Roger Tory Peterson, the book gives a simple, nonthreatening introduction to the Peterson system of bird identification (essentially a set of drawings and questions that help birders look for particular identifying features). There is enough information here to help readers identify 20 backyard birds common to most parts of the U.S. and Canada. A short course on the Peterson method encourages readers to observe the size, shape, color and markings of each bird sighted, as well as its habitat, call and behavior. Armed with this information, the reader can then solve the puzzle of what is flying around in the backyard. Each chapter--as highlighted in the table of contents--shows birds of one predominant color, enabling the reader to turn to the right section and begin the identification process right away, regardless of previous bird knowledge. The chapters themselves each describe and picture one to four birds, including notes on each one's habitat, voice and food. Readers are advised to observe other identification clues such as the shape of the beak (curved or straight?), the length of the legs (long or short?), and the shape of the tail (rounded, pointed, flat or forked?). These can be difficult to note when the bird is far away or in motion, but it gets easier with practice. This book will have you paying more attention to and getting more pleasure from the birds you see every day, whether you are just out with the family or going on a walk specifically to look for birds. And there are bonus features that make the book even more useful: in the hardback version, the inside back cover of the dust jacket is printed with rulers (metric and English) that make it easier to judge a bird's size. And the index includes room for entries describing where and when the young birder has seen each species--perhaps the start of his or her life list of birds seen.

Joan Silberlicht Epstein

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (April 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395952107
• ISBN-13: 978-0395952108
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #796,295 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fold-out laminated field guide with excellent drawings!, May 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Backyard Birds (Peterson FlashGuides) (Paperback)

This really useful field guide has great drawings of over 100 species found in neighborhoods in US and Canada. Has a simple system to instantly tell you the region and feeding preferences of birds, in other words, where you are most likely to find them. The drawings are beautiful, colorful and accurate, clearly showing the difference between male and female, and defining markings. I've enjoyed mine thoroughly!

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alot of fun!, January 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Backyard Birds (Field Guides for Young Naturalists) (Lawn & Patio)

My girls and I love this book! What a pleasure to be able to look out our window and now be able to identify the types of birds that live among us. We even now can recognize a bird by sound.

This book includes wonderful pictures with easy to read descriptions of the birds and their habits.

What a great way to spend time with each other having fun exploring and learning.

A book that can be enjoyed at any age.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Better Format ?, January 18, 2009

By 

SGB (Pt. Reyes Station, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Backyard Birds (Field Guides for Young Naturalists) (Lawn & Patio)

I purchased this book for a seven year old and think I expected a format more similar to the standard Peterson guide, but obviously with fewer birds. I also felt that more birds could have been included --if a child can read, he can also take in a good bit of information, more than was included here. A pleasant booklet, though, but perhaps most suited to the child who has never really seen or thought about birds previously.