JENNIFER WARD
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How to Find a Bird

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About the Book
A joyful and informative guide to birdwatching for budding young birders from an award-winning author-illustrator duo.

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, from the giant whooping crane to the tiny ruby-throated hummingbird, and so many in between, and a detailed author’s note provides even more information about birding for curious readers. This celebration of the wondrous variety, colors, and sounds of the avian world is sure to have children grabbing their binoculars and heading outside to explore.

by Jennifer Ward
illustrated by Diana Sudyka
​Beach Lane Books

Pre-order HOW TO FIND A BIRD where ever fine books are sold!        IndieBound        Amazon

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For Educators, Bird Enthusiasts & Nature Explorers!

Free Lesson Plans & STEAM - minded Activities using HOW TO FIND A BIRD
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More Children's Books Featuring Birds!

A wonderful compilation of board books, picture books, children's novels, fiction & nonfiction - featuring birds -  for your classroom or home library!
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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

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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

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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

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The Little Book of Woodland Bird Songs. Illustrated by Caz Buckingham. (Firefly Books, 2001) *Bird songs / Song ID
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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. 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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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
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

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