Two Blue Jays [Hardcover]

Anne Rockwell (Author), Megan Halsey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Miss Dana's class has front-row seats for one of nature's most awe-inspiring spring performances. In the branches of the fir tree outside their classroom, two blue jays build their nest. Shortly after the nest is completed, the female blue jay lays her eggs. The male brings her all kinds of food-an acorn, a worm, even a piece of a cookie! She guards her eggs closely, but the children are able to get a quick glimpse of them. Days later the children see the newly hatched baby blue jays huddled together in the nest. Three weeks later, the children say good-bye as the blue jays leave the nest for the first time. Without a single lesson, the birds spread their wings and take flight. This charming story with spectacular three-dimensional illustrations will bring out the nature observer in every child.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Another attractive collaboration by Rockwell and Halsey. A young narrator describes the mating ritual, nest building, and feeding and brooding habits of a pair of blue jays that her class watches in a fir tree outside the window. The children's observations are enhanced by additional tidbits of information provided by their teacher. Everything the students witness is clearly shown in the illustrations. The youngsters do not interfere with the birds, which is a lesson in itself. When the nestlings have become self-sufficient and the jay family has moved on, the class finds the nest lying on the ground and brings it into the classroom to remind them of the nature lesson they have witnessed. An author's note provides some additional information about these birds. Halsey's three-dimensional acrylic paintings, similar to those in Becoming Butterflies (Walker, 2002), have been cut out and glued in layers. The depth added by the resulting shadows is an important part of the artwork. Front endpapers feature eggs of various birds, created in the same manner as the illustrations; back endpapers show the birds that lay them. An enjoyable informational story.
Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. A young girl watches as two blue jays settle on the tree outside her classroom window. Other students join her, and over the following weeks, the children watch as the birds guard their nest, lay their eggs, and feed and raise their young. Finally, when the jays disappear, the class brings the empty nest inside to remind them of their bird friends. Rockwell's text is simple, graceful, and filled with information imparted in the voice of the teacher, who explains each stage of the young birds' development. Clear, uncluttered, and realistic, Halsey's cut-paper-and-paint collages are a fine match for the words. Inviting spreads show the birds from interesting perspectives and in surprising detail--the parents' brilliant plumage; the bald, open-mouthed babies. Well paced for read-alouds, this warm story about a bird's life cycle may encourage youngsters to take a closer look at the wildlife in their own backyards. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802788416
• ISBN-13: 978-0802788412
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,509,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A colorful celebration of the cycle of life, November 24, 2003

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Two Blue Jays (Hardcover)

"Two Blue Jays" is by Anne Rockwell, with pictures by Megan Halsey. In this story a group of schoolchildren and their teacher see a pair of blue jays build a nest in a tree outside their classroom window. This educational experience continues as the kids watch the pair's progress in raising a nestful of chicks.

This is an enjoyable and educational look at the blue jay life cycle. The illustrations are appealing and colorful, and the book contains a number of witty visual touches. Ultimately, the story leads to a poignant and uplifting conclusion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blue Jay Life Cycle...told as a story, June 23, 2004

By 

Karen Woodworth Roman "Happy Librarian" (DeKalb, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Two Blue Jays (Hardcover)

Told as a story, details the lifecycle of two blue jays as seen from a classroom window. Describes how they build a next and care for their young. Also shows what jays eat. Mixed media illustrations are bright and have a three dimensional look. Karen Woodworth-Roman