Birds of the World

In January, the focus at the JCL-Arnold Branch was Birds.  It was the focus of much of our programming.  So, this week, I am sharing some great nonfiction, informational books about birds.

What It's Like to Be a Bird by David Allen Sibley
This book shows how birds and humans are intrinsically connected, sometimes helping and sometimes hindering each other. Adapted for young readers from the bestselling work written and illustrated by David Allen Sibley, this unique book is perfect for dedicated bird-watchers--or for anyone who simply delights in noticing birds in their neighborhood.

A Bird Is a Bird by Lizzy Rockwell

Describes the unique features that birds have, including beaks, wings, and feathers, and how they are used by different varieties of birds.

Winter Moon by Jean Craighead George

A song sparrow, a mole, a bear, and an owl must struggle through the cold, harsh months of winter.

More Books --

12 Birds Back From the Brink by Nancy Furstinger

About Parrots: A Guide for Children by Cathryn P. Sill

Bald Eagles: Prey-Snatching Birds by Laura Hamilton Waxman

Bird Guide of North America by Jonathan K. Alderfer

Birds of Paradise: Winged Wonders by Cynthia Unwin

Can You Find These Birds? by Carmen Bredeson

Chickenology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia by Barbara Sandri

Magnificent Birds by Narisa Togo

My Pet Bird by Lynn Hamilton

Ostriches: Fast Flightless Birds by Laura Hamilton Waxman

The Puffin Plan: Restoring Seabirds to Egg Rock and Beyond by Stephen W. Kress

Snowy Owls: Stealthy Hunting Birds by Rebecca E. Hirsch

Vultures and Other Birds by Tracie Santos

Reading Is (NOT) for the Birds!

This week, I'm sharing chapter books featuring stories about birds.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater
The unexpected delivery of a large crate containing an Antarctic penguin changes the life and fortunes of Mr. Popper, a house painter obsessed by dreams of the Polar regions.

Thundercluck! by Paul Tillery
Thundercluck is a powerful chicken favored by the gods and, with the help of the goddess Brunhilde, undertakes a dangerous mission to defeat the evil Cook and other villains who are threatening the kingdom of Asgard.

Funny Frank by Dick King-Smith
Gertie the hen is appalled when her son Frank wants to swim with the ducks, but Jemima and her mother, the farmer's wife, make him a special outfit so that his dream can come true.

Frightful's Mountain by Jean Craighead George
As she grows through the first years of her life in the Catskill Mountains of New York, a peregrine falcon called Frightful interacts with various humans, including the boy who raised her, a falconer who rescues her, and several unscrupulous poachers.


More Books --
The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell
Benny Bensky and the Parrot Napper by Mary Borsky
Captain Tweakerbeak's Revenge by Charles Haddad
The Capture by Kathryn Lasky
Gay-Neck by Dhan Gopal Mukerji
Pablo and Birdy by Alison McGhee
Poppy by Avi
Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Scarlet Ibis by Gill Lewis
The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt
The Wheel on the School by Meindert de Jong
Zack and the Turkey Attack! by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor


Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through September 13, 2019.

Take Flight with a Book

This week, I'm sharing some great picture storybooks featuring birds.  Here a few of my favorites . . .

Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward
Illustrations and simple, rhyming text introduce different kinds of birds' nests, from the scrapes falcons build on high, craggy ledges to the underground nests burrowing owls dig. Includes brief facts about each kind of bird.

Penguin by Polly Dunbar
Ben is delighted to receive a penguin for his birthday but Penguin will not answer or respond to him in any way, no matter what Ben does, until, at last, they discover the language of friendship.

Birds by Kevin Henkes
Fascinated by the colors, shapes, sounds, and movements of the many different birds she sees through her window, a little girl is happy to discover that she and they have something in common.

Sitting Duck by Jackie Urbanovic
Max the duck volunteers to babysit for puppy Anabel, unaware of all the mischief a puppy can get into.

Telephone by Mac Barnett
In this picture book a string of birds on a telephone wire plays a game of telephone, with the usual mixed up results.


More Bird Books --
5 Little Ducks by Denise Fleming
Albert by Donna Jo Napoli
The Baby Beebee Bird by Diane Massie
Big Chickens Fly the Coop by Leslie Helakoski
Bird, Bird, Bird: A Chirping Chant by April Pulley Sayre
Chicken Chickens by Valeri Gorbachev
Chicken Chuck by Bill Martin Jr.
Duck & Goose by Tad Hills
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin
Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
Egg by Kevin Henkes
Feathers for Lunch by Lois Ehlert
George Flies South by Simon James
Gobble, Gobble by Cathryn Falwell
Good Night Owl by Greg Pizzoli
Hen Lake by Mary Jane Auch
Hooray for Birds! by Lucy Cousins
I Am Dodo: Not a True Story by Kae Nishimura
I Am Henry Finch by Alexis Deacon
Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups by Tadgh Bentley
Nerdy Birdy by Aaron Reynolds
A Nest Is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston
The Nightingale by Jerry Pinkney
The Odd Egg by Emily Gravett
On the Wing by David Elliott
A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis
Pardon Me! by Daniel Miyares
Seven Hungry Babies by Candace Fleming
Shy by Deborah Freedman
Souperchicken by Mary Jane Auch
Surfer Chick by Kristy Dempsey
Tillie Lays an Egg by Terry Golson
Woodpecker Wham by April Pulley Sayre

Check these and more bird books out on display at the Arnold Branch through August 11, 2017.

Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward

Mama built a little nest . . .

So begins a stanza on each spread detailing how and what kind of nest different birds build.

This is a great bird to read with preschool and early elementary children during spring.  Not only does it give an amazing amount of information about the nests in the four-line stanzas, but the author also gave additional information about the birds in a caption on the side of each page.  It is up to the author how much they want to read or share with their audience.