Customer Reviews

The Best Nest

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I always wonder how Sylvan Dell will surpass their last published titles. And then I look at and read the current crop and realize that they have wonderful authors, the most talented illustrators and subject matter that is both fun and informative. The end result is hard to beat.

There was a time, oh so long ago, that magpies built the best nests ever and were the envy of all the other birds. Maggie Magpie believed in helping other birds so she took the time to patiently teach the other birds how to build a strong, comfortable and safe nest.

The other birds (most of them) were not as patient as Maggie and listened to a few tips and then flew off without hearing all of the directions. Maggie gave up helping and let the birds fly off and build their nests the way they wanted to. The result? All nests are different sizes and shapes. Oh, there was one bird who listened carefully to Maggie's directions. Read the story and find out who that was.

The illustrations are stunning and both children and adults will be drawn to them.

Sylvan Dell books always have a fun and educational component to their books. The For Creative Minds section includes fun facts about birds, bird math, and an activity section.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a wonderful book for children, but should also be in every school library also.

Both as pets and in the wild, children are attracted to birds. Engagingly written by Doris L. Mueller and beautifully enhanced with the full color art work of Sherry Neidigh, "The Best Nest" is the retelling of an old English folktale about how long ago magpies built nests that were the envy of all the other birds. To help those other birds, Maggie Magpie patiently explained how to build a nest. But some birds were impatient and flew off without listening to all the directions. that is why today birds' nests come in all different shapes and sizes! Of special note is the addition to this highly recommended picturebook for children a very special educational section, 'For Creative Minds', that provides children with fun facts about birds, 'bird math', bird injuries, and a 'Match the Nest' activity with nest information for Magpies, Killdeer, Robins, Screech-Owls, Starlings, Brewer's Blackbird; the Common Grackle, Meadowlarks, Whip-poor-wills, Mourning Doves, and the Northern Oriole.

Maggie Magpie is an excellent nest builder, so all the other birds want to learn from her in order to protect their own eggs better. However, do they learn, and if so how much? Not only does the young child learn how each of the eleven birds build their nests, but they also become budding bird watchers as each bird and its habitat are illustrated in loving detail by illustrator Sherry Neidigh.

It is obvious that author Doris L. Mueller has put great thought into the building of her story, and young readers will eagerly follow along with Maggie as she takes time to teach her sometimes-impatient bird pupils. You can imitate the dove's sounds, and perhaps your teacher or parents can help you find recordings of the other bird songs as part of a classroom or home activity. Other information, facts, and a "Match the Nest Activity" are included. This is a fun and engaging book for ages 3 - 8.