Birds of a feather read together …  

Pardon Me!

By Daniel Miyares
Simon & Schuster. $16.99 • Ages 4-8

Daniel Miyares puts a humorous spin on a little bird that is sitting on what appears to be a projection sticking out of a pond. As you page through the book you’ll notice other birds and some other critters join the little, green parrot where he is sitting. Each time a new arrival squeezes on the little “island”, the bird says, ‘Pardon me.’

Eventually it is pretty crowded and then a fox comes along and attempts to tell the critters what they are actually sitting upon. While most of them quickly scatter, the parrot’s response is, ‘Well, pardon me, but this is my perch, and I don’t care what you have to say! Now, leave me alone!’

Having now returned to his blissful state where he is the only creature sitting in this part of the swamp, the little bird seems quite satisfied with his situation. But, as you turn a few more pages you’ll quickly discover that the parrot is not alone. In fact, he should have listened to the warning the fox gave.

The ending of this book may not be appropriate for all children, especially toddlers, but I think older youngsters will probably find it quite amusing and want to share it with their friends.

 

Feathers: Not Just for Flying

By Melissa Stewart
Illustrated by Sarah Brannen
Charlesbridge. $7.95 • Ages 6-9

Young readers will be surprised to discover that feathers serve multiple functions. They not only act as a blanket for a bird and can be used to line a nest but for some species the wings and feathers are also used like an umbrella to block out the sun so the bird can locate fish and frogs when it is standing in a pond or swamp.

Since birds can’t slather sunscreen over themselves, feathers serve a similar function and protect their delicate skin from the sun’s powerful rays. Feathers can also soak up water, which means baby birds will have a supply of water when a parent returns to the nest. Some birds, like the American bittern, can use their feathers, or rather powder from their feathers to scour away dirt and grime that sticks to their bodies.

Feathers can be used for protection. While some feathers act as camouflage, there are some species where feathers can be used to distract a predator. The list of functions bird feathers play is longer, but this gives you an idea of hat you’ll discover as you read this fascinating paperback.

You’ll also learn that there are different kinds and sizes of feathers and you’ll meet sixteen different types of birds as you delve into the world of feathers.

 

Nest

By Jorey Hurley
Simon & Schuster. $16.99 • Ages 3-7

This is an interesting picture book because illustrations have to carry the storyline. The author only provides a single word with each illustration. The pictures follow the course of a robin family’s existence from the time a nest is created and an egg is laid until the young bird is ready to leave the nest and fend for himself.

Naturally, the seasons, which provide the background, change and when you get to the end of the book the cycle begins again. Since there really is no text, the adult who shares this book with a young child will have to build upon the single words to create some type of storyline.

While creative parents/grandparents/teachers will find this a simple if not enjoyable chore, those who aren’t into birds or don’t have fruitful imaginations may be at a loss. Older children may be able to create their own stories and that’s obviously a good thing.

If an adult is willing to become the storyteller, enjoying this book can be a very memorable experience and one your youngster will cherish for years to come. But, if you are not willing to assume this role, this might be a book to skip.

 

Mama Built a Little Nest

By Jennifer Ward
Illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Beach Lane. $17.99 • Ages 4-8

When it comes to birds and nests, the one size fits all approach doesn’t work. Jennifer Ward shows all the interesting options that various birds use when it comes to creating or finding a nesting place.

The more common nest made from sticks and whatever else they can find appeals to a lot of birds, but the woodpecker prefers a cavity within a tree and the falcon calls a ledge on a cliff home.

The male cactus wren builds several dome-shaped nests hoping to attract a female. The unused nests on the cactus also serve as a defensive mechanism because they confuse would-be predators. While weaverbirds create very detailed nests that hang down from a tree limb as a fruit might, the burrowing owl nests underground and grebes construct floating nests anchored to water plants.

As you read this book you’ll learn that one of the biggest nests, the bald eagle’s home, is constructed high atop a tree and can be up to five or six feet in diameter, but on the other end of the spectrum one of the smallest, the hummingbird nest, is cup-shaped and made from spider webs so the nest will stretch as the chicks grow.

There’s a lot of variety when it comes to bird nests and this picture book offers a nice overview of how various bird species approach the problem of finding or creating a home to raise their young in.

 

Chickens Don’t Fly and other Fun Facts

By Laura Lyn DiSiena and Hannah Eliot
Illustrated by Pete Oswald
Little Simon. $5.99 • Ages 4-8

There are more than just feathered creatures featured in this book of animal trivia, but you’ll discover some fun facts about chickens, peregrine falcons, and the platypus plus other critters like sharks and cheetahs.

You’ll learn that there are more chickens in the world than any other kind of bird and that when it dives on prey the peregrine falcon can reach an air speed of more than 200 miles per hour.

How about these offbeat facts? A giraffe’s tail can reach eight feet in length! Some sharks will lose 30,000 or more teeth in their lifetimes and the bloodhound breed of dog is more than 1,000 years old. You’ll also discover which species of shark is only eight inches long.

Not only will the whole family love this book but educators will find this is a very popular classroom title too. You won’t have to ask twice if you want youngsters to read “Chickens Don’t Fly”!