Thunder Birds: Nature's Flying Predators [Hardcover]

Jim Arnosky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 5, 2011 | Age Range: 6 - 10 years | Lexile Measure: 1140L (What's this?)

Acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky helps birds and imaginations take glorious flight in this breathtaking nonfiction picture book with six giant gatefolds.
Arnosky will draw out kids' inner explorer as he explains why there are no feathers on a vulture's head, which bird is the deep-diving champ, what makes an owls's wings perfectly silent in flight, and much more.
Readers can use this gorgeously illustrated book to bring the wilderness right into their rooms-or as a guide on their next expedition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

*"From the powerful osprey on the jacket with its outstretched wing and glittering eyes, through eagles and owls, herons and vultures, and loons and pelicans, Arnosky's painterly eye and literary hand portray more than 20 “flying predators.” The brief text is both informative and personal, if not in-depth. Readers are told that vultures have bare heads for “cleaner” feeding in and on a carcass as a practical matter, and given a personal touch of watching a thirsty brown pelican catch raindrops during a coastal downpour. Accompanying the masterful acrylics, myriad pencil sketches illuminate the margins surrounding the text, ranging from a great blue heron's spidery footprint to an actual-size eagle's foot, talons and all. The author supplies a list of birding sites, bird books, and a metric equivalency chart. Six foldout pages allow for the life-size illustrations. Elegant in format and artwork, this book will not accompany young birders into the field, but will be a rich resource for remembering special sightings, and inspire them to keep their eyes on the sky." —School Library Journal (starred review)

 

"A baleful osprey holding a rainbow trout in its talons glares at readers from the cover of this elegant introduction to predator birds, Arnosky's latest exploration of the natural world. With oversized pages and four fold-outs showing accurately depicted, sometimes life-size images, the artist and famed wildlife watcher introduces eagles, hawks, vultures, owls, herons and pelicans. He begins, appropriately, with a bald eagle, shown at half its actual size, and a meticulous, full-sized drawing of an eagle foot. Inside the first gate-fold, the osprey, wing outstretched, shares space with comparable heads and silhouettes-a golden eagle, red-tailed hawk and peregrine falcon. With only a few paragraphs of text for each bird family and plenty of extended captions, the book economically yet thoroughly covers a great deal. Full-bleed paintings in acrylic and white chalk pencil include many close-ups, showing heads, eyes and beaks. Sketches show the separated tips of wing feathers and feathered feet that allow owls to fly silently, the heron's forward-facing eyes and the pelican's expanding throat pouch. In an afterword, the author reminds readers that these birds can be seen in American refuges and sanctuaries today and provides a list of some he and his wife have visited in their research. 'Nature's flying predators are magnificent creatures,' the author writes, and this is a deserved celebration. (bibliography, metric equivalents)" —Kirkus Reviews

 

"Marvel at these awe-inspiring creatures with us," invites author and illustrator Arnosky in this enriching avian celebration. Foldout pages group birds according to species and common characteristics. Lifelike owls peer at readers with deep, glassy eyes; in a section featuring birds of prey, an osprey's spectacular wing spans three panels, and journallike passages vividly document Arnosky's observations of each bird: "The pelican was catching raindrops to quench its thirst! Suddenly, I wanted to go out in the downpour and drink rainwater too." Arnosky's enthusiasm is evident in his deftly crafted images and in the immediacy of his 'field-note' style." —Publishers Weekly 

 

"After revisiting favorite birding spots with his wife and 'partner in adventure,' Deanna, Arnosky offers a beautifully illustrated book featuring large avian predators: eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, vultures, herons, egrets, pelicans, loons, cormorants, and gannets. Beside paragraphs introducing each bird or group of birds, the book offers impressive, often full-size acrylic paintings illustrating, for instance, an osprey with one wing fully extended or a close-up 'group portrait' of owls that shows their relative sizes. In addition, small black-and-gray silhouettes illustrate an eagle, a hawk, and a falcon in flight, and shaded pencil drawings show details such as a pelican's pouch expanding as it traps a fish underwater. Whether holding a wounded wild eagle as a biologist stitches his wing muscle or watching a flock of vultures as they feed on an alligator carcass, Arnosky's experiences with birds form a memorable counterpoint to the information provided. An author's note lists the parks, refuges, and sanctuaries visited and recommends books for further reading." —Booklist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praise for Wild Tracks!:
2009 ALA Notable
Named to 2008 School Library Journal's Best Books of the Year List
2008 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award
*This is a splendid example of Arnosky's skill at making natural history come alive for young readers.” -Kirkus (starred review)

 

 

Praise for Slither and Crawl:
2009 Parents' Choice List of Recommended Titles
“Arnosky's painterly eye and personal observations match handsomely in this face-to-face experience…outstanding acrylics.” -School Library Journal (Starred Review)

About the Author

Jim Arnosky is an award-winning author/illustrator of more than 100 books for young readers, many of which have collected many starred reviews. Jim lives in Vermont, but travels all over the U.S. for school and library visits. Visit jimarnosky.com to learn more.

Product Details

• Age Range: 6 - 10 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; First Printing edition (April 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402756615
• ISBN-13: 978-1402756610
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.5 x 11.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW March 30, 2011

By Lisa Barker

Format:Hardcover

WOW. Jim Arnosky's breathtaking illustrations show life-sized raptors, giving children a hands on guide that their fertile minds can feast on and nourish their inner explorer. The giant fold out pages will elicit "oohs" and "awesome!" and make every nature lover, and bird enthusiast in particular, extremely pleased. 9-12 yr olds will immerse themselves in Arnosky's tales that accompany each set of illustrations providing facts and anecdotes about the birds. Absolutely a great addition to your home library. - Biblio Reads Children's Book Review

5.0 out of 5 stars Arnosky's artistic genius captures the beauty of these amazing birds! December 2, 2011

By Z Hayes HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

My first grader and I are fans of Jim Arnosky's works, and we've read and enjoyed Rabbits and Raindrops, Man Gave Names to All the Animals, Otters under Water, and many more.

When we saw his latest book, we were captivated by the imposing bird on the cover.This book is devoted entirely to nature's flying predators - large birds of prey in all their splendor. The book begins with a feature on eagles, hawks, and falcons with a large fold out format that enables readers to appreciate the resplendent beauty of these amazing birds. I liked how Arnosky provides little anecdotes regarding his encounter with certain birds which makes it even more personal and engaging. Arnosky also provides readers with the actual measurements of the birds which enables us to imagine how truly magnificent these creatures are.

The illustrations are breath-taking to say the least. My daughter's favorite were the depictions of the owls, and she was especially happy to see her favorite, the snowy owl peering out at her (she's a great fan of Hedwig, the snowy owl from the Harry Potter movies). Next on the list are vultures, and though I am not a fan of these birds, I enjoyed reading about them, and discovered that the reason vultures usually feed where they find carrion is because their feet are not strong enough to lift things.

Herons and egrets are featured next with plenty of visually appealing and realistic paintings of these elegant creatures. My husband's favorites, the pelicans are also featured in here with an impressive fold-out featuring the American White Pelican and also the Brown Pelican. Having had close encounters with these amazing birds, we truly enjoyed reading about them.

Loons, cormorants, gannets, and osprey are displayed in full color glory and in little, detailed pencil sketches. The author-illustrator mentions that the life-size paintings in the book are done in acrylic paint and white chalk pencil. I loved that Arnosky lists the places where these amazing birds can be found, and I hope to make it to some of these places with my family someday.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! May 30, 2011

By Heidi Grange

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and herons are some of nature's most impressive hunters. With sharp beaks and talons and intense eyes, these birds are magnificent in appearance as well. In Thunder Birds, Jim Arnosky presents the reader with a gorgeous look at these predators and what makes them such deadly hunters.

From the powerful (and sharp) talons of the eagle, to the stabbing beaks of herons, these birds create striking images in our minds. Arnosky's illustrations are the best part of this book. The fold-outs are particularly striking as they show some of these birds at their actual size. In addition to the illustrations, Arnosky provides a glimpse into some of his own experiences with these birds including, watching black vultures tear apart an eight-foot alligator and an owl brushing by in the dark of night without making a sound. A fine book for sharing with groups large and small.