Listen to the birds

Gr 1--4--For kids who have ever wondered what birds are "saying" when they sing, this informational book will teach readers how to identify a variety of common species from their song. It starts with beautifully illustrated pages showing three or four birds, each. The various birds are distinctly rendered in bright colors so it's easy to identify each one. Additionally, there is a free app that allows amateur bird watchers to hear the calls of each bird and match it to the call by scanning the illustrations. The book is divided into two sections, eastern and western, with some of the birds appearing in both. After each page of pictures, another spread offers more specific information about every bird call, including a phonetic spelling of how it sounds. The text includes some very specific vocabulary about sound and music that may be difficult for some children, but that also makes this an enticing project for young birders to share with families, friends, or school. VERDICT An interesting introduction to identifying birds by their songs that will be most useful when used with a personal device, like a phone or a tablet.--Debbie Tanner