Books About BIRDS - just for kids (& the adults who adore them!)
Birds provide such an AMAZING springboard to wonder. When we wonder, we become wiser! Right?
Obviously, wondering about birds has influenced my writing.
Because I believe in the importance of birds - not just as a barometer for the health of our planet, but as a staple for enjoying nature and as an avenue for young children to get their wee and magnificent brains soaring - I've compiled a list of children's books that feature birds, below.
Feel free to drop me a line and share your favorites! Would love to hear from you!
Warmly,
Jennifer
Obviously, wondering about birds has influenced my writing.
Because I believe in the importance of birds - not just as a barometer for the health of our planet, but as a staple for enjoying nature and as an avenue for young children to get their wee and magnificent brains soaring - I've compiled a list of children's books that feature birds, below.
Feel free to drop me a line and share your favorites! Would love to hear from you!
Warmly,
Jennifer
My Children's Books Featuring Birds
HOW TO FIND A BIRD by Jennifer Ward, illustrations by Diana Sudyka (Beach Lane Books 2020)
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About the Book
How do you find a bird? There are so many ways! Begin by watching. And listening. And staying quiet, so quiet you can hear your own heartbeat. Soon you’ll see that there are birds everywhere—up in the sky, down on the ground, sometimes even right in front of you just waiting to be discovered! Young bird lovers will adore this lushly illustrated introduction to how to spot and observe our feathered friends. It features more than fifty different species and a detailed author’s note provides even more information about birding for curious readers. |
Pre-order HOW TO FIND A BIRD where ever fine books are sold! Indiebound Amazon
I LOVE BIRDS! 52 Ways to Wonder, Wander & Explore Birds with Kids
by Jennifer Ward, illustrations by Alexander VIdal (Roost Books 2019)
by Jennifer Ward, illustrations by Alexander VIdal (Roost Books 2019)
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About the Book
Through sensory, hands-on and creative explorations that involve birding basics and the hows and whys of bird behavior, the activities here will engage children’s imagination and sense of wonder as they observe birds in the wild, become citizen scientists, and forge a deeper understanding, appreciation, and stewardship toward nature, our planet, and all things feathery. PRAISE “Jennifer Ward’s I Love Birds! Is a fantastic book to get kids interested in wild birds and the natural world all around them.”—Dave Mizejewski, spokesperson for the National Wildlife Federation “Kids will be captivated by the outdoor experiences in I Love Birds! It’s a perfect fit for parents and teachers looking for ways to engage children in STEM activities.”– Amy Weeks, director, St. Louis Audubon Society |
Purchase I LOVE BIRDS! where ever find books are sold! IndieBound Amazon
MAMA BUILT A LITTLE NEST by Jennifer Ward, illustrations by Steve Jenkins (Beach Lane Books)
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About the Book
*Starred review, Publishers Weekly - Jenkins's (Animals Upside Down) signature paper collages handsomely illustrate this inviting read about bird nest variety. *Starred review, Booklist - Pairing elaborate cut-paper collage with rhyming couplets, Ward and Jenkins show the beautiful variety of bird nests found around the world. Young bird-lovers will adore this cozy, illuminating look into avian habitats. Kirkus - The author clearly feels a mission to impart her extensive knowledge of birds and bird behavior to the very young, and she’s found an appealing and attractive way to accomplish this. School Library Journal - A practically perfect science picture book.
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& MORE Children's Books Featuring Birds!
Listed Alphabetically by Author
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Picture Books
*denotes theme/topic Amstutz, Lisa. Finding a Dove for Gramps. Illustrated by Maria Luisa DiGravio (Albert Whitman, 2018) *Citizen Science / Bird count Aston, Dianna. An Egg is Quiet. Illustrated by Sylvia Long. (Chronicle Books, 2014) *Bird eggs and egg attributes ----------. A Nest is Noisy. Illustrated by Sylvia Long. Chronicle Books, 2017. *Animal homes and attributes Baker, Jeannie. Circle. (Candlewick, 2016) *Migration/Godwits Bierregaard, Rob. Belle’s Journey. Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky (Charlesbridge, 2018) *Migration/Osprey Bulion, Leslie. Superlative Birds. Illustrated by Robert Meganck. (Peachtree Publishing, 2019) *Bird facts/Poetry Buzzeo, Toni. One Cool Friend. Illustrated by David Small. (Dial Books, 2012) *Friendship/Penguins Cate, Annette Leblanc. Look Up! Bird-watching in Your Own Backyard. (Candlewick, 2013) *All the "how-tos of birdwatching for kids Christelow, Eileen. Robins! How They Grow Up. (Clarion Books, 2017) *All kinds of facts about the American Robin Collard, Sneed. Beaks! Illustrated by Robin Brickman. Charlesbridge, 2002) *Bird physiology / Beaks ----------. Firedbirds. (Bucking Horse Books, 2015) *Ecology/ Importance of natural fires to ecosystems / Habitat for birds Davies, Jacqueline. The Boy Who Drew Birds. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2004) *John James Audubon Deacon, Alexis. I Am Henry Finch. Illustrated by Viviane Schwarz. (Candlewick, 2015) *Building social confidence/anthropomorphic finch Dierker, Susan. Albatross of Kauai: The Story of Kaloakulua. (Done by Dogs Publishing, 2014) *The story of the first "star" of the Cornell Lab Laysan Albatross Web Cam Ehlert, Lois. Feathers for Lunch. (HMH Books for Young Readers, 1996) *12 Birds species introduced as seen by one hungry, escaped house cat Elliott, David. On the Wing. Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. Candlewick, 2014. *Introduction to 15 bird species Fleming, Denise. This is the Nest That Robin Built. Beach Lane, 2018. *Robins / Nest building / Cumulative & traditional text Florian, Douglas. On the Wing: Bird Poems and Paintings. (HMH Books for Young Reades, 2000) *Birds featured in fun poem formats Franko, Betsy. Birdsongs. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2007) *Counting / Birdsongs Fried, Caren-Loebel. A Perfect Day for an Albatross. (Cornell Lab Publishing Group, 2017) *Laysan Albatross / Albatross Behavior Frost, Helen. Sweep Up the Sun. Illustrated by Rick Lieder. (Candlewick, 2015) *Introduction to 11 bird species George, Jean Craighead. The Eagles are Back. Illustrated by Wendell Minor. (Dial Books, 2013) *Environmental conservation / Eagles / Endangered species Gianferrari, Maria. Hawk Rising. Illustrated by Brian Floca. Roaring (Brook Press, 2018) *Suburban birds / Hawk behavior ---------. Whoo-Ku Haiku. Illustrated by Jonathan Voss. (G.P. Putnam, 2020) * Poetry / Great-horned owls / Life cycles Gibbons, Gail. Owls. (Holiday House, 2006) *Information about owls Graham, Bob. How to Heal a Broken Wing. (Candlewick, 2017) *Injured bird / Children as stewards / Empathy / "Slowing down in a fast-paced society" Gray, Rita. Have You Heard the Nesting Bird? Illustrated by Kenard Pak. (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2017) *Nesting behavior Gray, Steve. The Ravenous Raven. (Grand Canyon Association, 2015) *Grand canyon habitat / Ravens Henkes, Kevin. Birds. Illustrated by Laura Dronzek. (Greenwillow Books, 2009) *Seasons/birds Henkes, Kevin. Egg. (Greenwillow Books, 2017) *Graphic novel for preschoolers Hestermen, Katie. A Round of Robins. Illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier. (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018) *Robins /Nesting cycles Ho, Minfong. An Eagle’s Feather. Illustrated by Frances Alvarez. (Cornell Lab Publishing Group, 2018) *Endangered species / Conservation / World cultures Hunter, Robert. Sounds of Nature: World of Birds. (Wide Eyed Editions, 2018) *Birds and their sounds ----------. The Race to Save the Lord God Bird. (Square Fish, 2016) *Extinction Jenkins, Martin. Bird Builds a Nest. Illustrated by RIchard Jones. (Candlewick, 2018) *Nesting / Bird behavior ----------. The Emperor's Egg. Illustrated by Jane Chapman. (Candlewick, 2002). *Day in the life of nesting Emperor Penguins Judge, Lita. Bird Talk: What Birds are Saying and Why. (Flash Point, 2012) *Bird behavior / Bird communication ----------. Flight School. (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014) *Perseverance Lewin, Ted. Puffling Patrol :Adventures Around the World. (Lee & Low Books, 2014) *Children who rescue and care for lost pufflings Lurie, Susan. Swim, Duck, Swim. (Feiwel & Friends, 2016) *Photo-journal of a duckling's first swim Markle, Sandra. A Mother’s Journey. Illustrated by Alan Marks. (Charlesbridge, 2006) *Emperor penguins / Penguin behavior ----------The Long, Long Journey: The Godwit’s Amazing Migration. Illustrated by Mia Posada. (Millbrook, 2013) *Migration / Godwits / Long-distance migration McDermott, Gerald. Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest. (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2001) *Native American culture / Folklore McClosky, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings. (Viking, 1941). *Mama duck strives to take care of her ducklings in Boston's Public Gardens McDonald, Jill. Hello World! Birds. (Doubleday, 2017) *Introduction to birds Mitter, Patricia. My Colors Book (Early Birds Learning Series). Illustrated by Miyoko Chu. (Cornell Lab Publishing Group, 2017) *Birds and color concept ----------. My Numbers Book (Early Birds Learning Series). Illustrated by Miyoko Chu. (Cornell Lab Publishing Group, 2017) *Birds and counting concept ----------. My Opposites Book (Early Birds Learning Series). Illustrated by Miyoko Chu. (Cornell Lab Publishing Group, 2017) *Birds and opposites / Concept Pattison, Darcy. Wisdom, the Midway Albatross: Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and Other Disasters for Over 60 Years. Illustrated by Kitty Harvill. (Mims House, 2013) *A survival story based on Wisdom, an albatross tagged in 1956 Pennypacker, Sara. Sparrow Girl. Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka (Disney-Hyperion, 2009) *Ecology / Making a difference in the world / History Pinnington, Andrea. The Little Book of Backyard Bird Songs. Illustrated by Caz Buckingham. (Firefly Books, 2016) *Bird songs / Song ID ----------. The Little Book of Woodland Bird Songs. Illustrated by Caz Buckingham. (Firefly Books, 2001) *Bird songs / Song ID Prosek, James. Bird, Butterfly, Eel. (Simon & Schuster, 2009) *Seasons / Animal behavior Rockwell, Lizzy. A Bird is a Bird. Holiday House, 2015. *Characteristics of birds Rose, Deborah Lee. Beauty and the Beak: How Science, Technology, and a 3D- Printed Beak Rescued a Bald Eagle. Illustrated by Jane Veltkamp. (Persnickity Press, 2017) *Bird rehab / Science / Technology Rosen, Michael. The Cuckoo’s Haiku. Illustrated by Stan Fellows. (Candlewick, 2009) *Poetry / North American birds Ruddell, Deborah. Today at the Bluebird Café: A Branchful of Birds. (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2007) *Bird behavior / Poetry Roth, Susan. Birds of a Feather: Bowerbirds and Me. (Neal Porter Books, 2019) *A creative compare and contrast between the author and bowerbirds. Parrots Over Puerto Rico. Illustrated by Cindy Trumbore. (Lee & Low, 2013) *Parrots / Conservation / Extinction Sayre, April Pulley. Vulture View. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. (Henry Holt and Co. 2007) *Turkey vultures / Vulture behavior ----------. Warbler Wave. (Beach Lane Books, 2018) *Warblers / Migration ----------. Woodpecker Wham! Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. (Henry Holt and Co. 2015) *Woodpeckers / Woodpecker behavior Scanlon, Liz Garton. One Dark Bird. Illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. (Beach Lane Books, 2019) *Counting / Starlings / Murmuration/ Bird behavior Schulman, Janet. Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City. Illustrated by Meilo So. (Knopf, 2008) *Red-tailed hawks / "Pale Male" of New York City Sidman, Joyce. Red Sings from Treetops. Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2009) *Bird song / Nature / Seasons Sill, Cathryn. About Birds: A Guide for Children. Illustrated by John Sill. (Peachtree Publishers, 2013) *A first glimpse at birds Simler, Isabelle. Plume. (Eerdman's, 2017) *Introduction to a variety of bird species and their feathers. Singer, Marilyn. The Company of Crows. Illustrated by Linda Saport. (Clarion Books, 2002) *A variety of life, human and animal, wonder and enjoy crows / American Crows / Poetry Sockin, Brian. Am I Like You? Illustrated by Laura Erickson. (Cornell Lab Publishing Group, 2016) *Kids birding / Comparing humans to birds Sonenshine, Randi Miller. This is the Nest that Wren Built. Illustrated by Anne Hunter. (Candlewick, 2020) *Nesting / Carolina Wrens Stemple, David. High Ridge Gobbler: A Story of the American Wild Turkey. Illustrated by Ted Lewin. (Boyds Mills Press, 2001) *American Turkeys Stemple, Heidi. Counting Birds: The Idea That Helped Save Our Feathered Friends. Illustrated by Clover Robin. Seagrass Press, 2018. *Origin of the Annual Christmas Bird Count / Citizen Science Soltis, Sue. Nothing Like a Puffin. Illustrated by Bob Kolar. (Candlewick, 2011) *Compare / Contrast puffins to other living things Stewart, Melissa. A Place for Birds. Illustrated by Higgins Bond. (Peachtree Publishers, 2015) *Conservation/habitat/ Environmental issues ----------. Feathers, Not Just for Flying. Illustrated by Sarah Brannen. (Charlesbridge, 2014) *Physical attributes and types of feathers / Feathers / How birds use their feathers Tavares, Matt. Red and Lulu. (Candlewick 2017) *Two Norther Cardinals are separated when a Christmas tree is cut and removed from location Tildes, Phyllis. Baby’s First Book of Birds and Colors. (Charlesbridge, 2017) *Birds / Color concept Tsong, Jing Jing. Birds in Hawaii. (Beach House Publishing, 2017) *Hawaiian birds VanDerwater, Amy Ludwig. Every Day Birds. Illustrated by Dylan Metrano. (Orchard Books, 2016) *Introducing 20 common birds Waddell, Martin. Owl Babies. Illustrated by Patrick Benson. (Candlewick, 2002) *Three owl babies practice patience and bravery as they await their mother's return to their nest Ward, Jennifer. I Love Birds! 52 Ways to Wonder, Wander and Explore Birds with Kids. Illustrated by Alexander Vidal. (Roost, 2019) *52 STEAM and nature focused activities to connect young children, families and educators with birds and birding ----------. Mama Built a Little Nest. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. (Beach Lane Books, 2014) *Features a variety of bird nest architecture from across the globe / Bird nests / Bird behavior ----------. How to Find a Bird. Illustrated by Diana Sudyka. (Beach Lane, 2020) *Bird behavior / Children becoming birders Wild, Margaret. Puffling. Illustrated by Julie Vivas. (Feiwel & Friends, 2009) *Fictionalized account of the life of a young Puffin / Milestones Yolen, Jane, et al. Crow, Not Crow. Illustrated by Elizabeth Dulemba. Cornell Lab Publishing Group, 2018. *Bird watching / Crows Yolen, Jane. On Bird Hill. Illustrated by Bob Marstall. (Cornell Lab Publishing Group, 2016) *A boy and his dog discover a bird nest / Hatchlings ----------. On Duck Pond. Illustrated by Bob Marstall. (Cornell Lab Publishing Group, 2017) *Sequel/companion book to On Bird Hill / Habitats / Ducks ----------. On Gull Beach. Illustrated by Bob Marstall. (Cornell Lab Publishing Group, 2018) *The continued journey of a boy and his dog out in nature. Habitats / Gulls ----------. Owl Moon. Illustrated by John Schoenherr. Philomel Books, 1987. *Birding / Owls / Owling Yolen Jane, Stemple, Heidi. You Nest Here With Me. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. (Boyds Mills Press, 2015). *Bird nests / Bird behavior / Bedtime |
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Chapter Books, Novels & Books for Upper Grades *denotes theme
Burnie, David. DK Eyewitness Books: Discover the Fascinating World of Birds. (DK Children’s, 2008) *Photos and facts about all things avian Erlich, Esther. Nest. (Yearling, 2016) *Family in crisis / Friendship / Birds Grolleau, Fabien. Audubon: On the Wings of the World. (Nobrow Press, 2017) *Graphic novel about John James Audubon Hiaasen, Carl. Hoot. (Yearling, 2005) *Kids as eco-warriors Kelley, Jane. The Desperate Adventures of Zeno and Alya. (Feiwel & Friends, 2013) *Childhood illness / African Gray Parrot / Overcoming obstacles / Friendship Lewis, Gill. Wild Wings. (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012) *Migration / Friendship / Culture Lowry, Lois. Crow Call. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Scholastic Press, 2009. *Family ties / War/ Birding vs. hunting Hoose, Phillip. Moonbird. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012) *Annual migration of one bird (B95) tracked by scientists Larson, Jeanette. Hummingbirds: Fact and Folklore. Illustrated by Adrienne Yorinks. (Charlesbridge, 2011) Lasky, Kathryn. Gaurdians of Ga'Hoole. - series. (Scholastic). *A band of owls and their fantastical journeys and adventures Perez, Celia. Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers. (Kokila, 2019) *Friendship / Communities / Environmental awareness/conservation Pla, Sally. The Someday Birds. Harper Collins, 2018. *Family journeys / Obstacles / Birding Spinelli, Jerry. Wringer. (Harper Collins, 2006/2018). *Coming of age / Moral dilemma Stemple, Heidi, et al. Fly With Me: A Celebration of Birds through Pictures, Poems and Stories. National Geographic Children’s Books, 2018. *An abundance of wonderful information about birds in various written & visual formats Wight, Tamra. Mystery of the Eagles Nest. Illustrated by Carl DiRocco. Island Port Press, Inc., 2016. *Eagles / Animal conservation/protection/mystery ----------. Mystery on Pine Lake. Illustrated by Carl DiRocco. Island Port Press, Inc. 2015. *Loons / Animal conservation/protection/mystery Wolf, Sallie. The Robin Makes a Laughing Sound: A Birder’s Observations. Illustrated by Micah Bornstein. (Charlesbridge, 2010) *Birding / Bird behavior / Poetry / Sketching / Journaling Yolen, Jane. An Egret’s Day. Photographs by Jason Stemple. (Wordsong, 2010) *Great Egrets / Egret behavior |
