Birds everywhere

Birds present an astonishing range of colors, sizes, and behaviors, and though no book can cover the incredible variety, this one gamely gives it a go, packing an impressive amount of diversity into a slim survey of the subject. After a crash course in basic bird biology humorously titled "It's a bird! (So what is that?)," readers are whisked along an evolutionary trail before the more in-depth studies begin. Birds from every continent are included, and while topics are mostly general (flight, feeding habits, courtship rituals), a few species are treated to more thorough investigations. The spectacular spreads are broken up into colored text boxes and have "Can you find it?" challenges sprinkled throughout, keeping the audience engrossed and entertained. The lively digital illustrations are glorious; younger readers will delight in the riot of color and movement, older children will find a wealth of astonishing facts, and all ages will discover new details upon every further examination. A sensational introduction to the weird and wonderful world of birds.

There are birds everywhere, but what's a bird? Defining birds as creatures that have beaks, two wings, and feathers, this colorful collection is the fourth of an ongoing series; bugs, fish, and reptiles came before, and mammals are on the way. The format is appealing. Each spread covers a distinct topic, sometimes with a large variety of differing examples, sometimes focusing on one species or activity. The author focuses on the barn owl to describe the habits of raptors, penguins for child rearing, and Arctic terns for migration. (The clever design emphasizes the tern's long-distance voyage by requiring the reader to turn the book vertically to read that spread.) Besides the interesting facts, most spreads include an invitation to take a more careful look, with a seek-and-find puzzle or guessing game. Informative text appears in short blocks printed on an illustrative background, sometimes with lines or arrows to help readers figure out what to read next. Topics include bird anatomy, descent from dinosaurs, habitats, feathers and flight, courtship, nesting, migration, and the relationship between birds and humans. Unusually, the author distinguishes possible prehistoric ancestors of songbirds, waterbirds, and raptors. In conclusion, she tells readers how to do some bird-watching themselves. There are no sources or suggestions for further research, but the writer's many previous natural history titles show her longtime engagement with the subject. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An inviting, accessible, information-filled package. (Informational picture book. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.