Friday, January 20, 2017

PPBF: Bird Talk

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

 
Bird Talk: What Birds Are Saying and Why, by Lita Judge
Bird Talk:
What Birds Are Saying and Why

Written and illustrated by Lita Judge

Roaring Brook Press, 2012
Grades 1-4, 48 pp, Lexile 820


Themes:
Animals, Nonfiction


Opening:
"In backyards, forests, and meadows, the air is filled with bird talk. But what are they saying?"


Synopsis:
Really lovely illustrations showcase various birds and their forms of communication. Organized by purpose, the text is easy for kids to understand and relate to (yes relate to!) Introduces unusual birds and their unusual behaviors as well as ways in which birds squawk, call, and signal to each other—and why. Not fact-heavy, but filled with facts that will stick. Includes more detailed back matter.

What I Love:
I love Lita Judge's style of illustration. Her colors are soft. Her characters are fun to look at. They are biologically correct, but also take on personalities and expressions without being cartoony. I loved the word choices in this book. The text had a light tone which made the information easy to digest. Judge imagines what the birds are saying, "Look at me." "I'm the strongest." "Pick me." This approach makes readers think about the birds as thinking, living creatures.

 What impressed me the most was the way the information was organized. The flow from one bird to the next as well as the page layouts, kept me turning pages right to the end, and then back to the beginning for another go. The whole book seems effortless, like a walk in the forest with a fascinating guide, rather than a bookish collection of facts.


Bonus: 
1. Learn to identify birds' speech with helpful tips from Education.com  Then listen to bird calls with videos from Kiddopedia.

2. Cornell Lab of Ornithology offers downloadable lessons to identify bird sounds and their various functions.

Easy robin craft courtesy I Heart Crafty Things
3. Many zoos have Avian Houses. These environments provide a great opportunity to hear a variety of birds interacting and to observe their behaviors. Experts are often on hand to answer your questions. If you can't get to a local zoo, consider donating to help fund such places. Petcha has compiled a list of American aviaries. The Minnesota Zoo has recently opened a redesigned Tropical Rainforest and Aviary, or visit the rainforest at the San Francisco Zoo. Two of my favorite places are the National Aviary and the McNeil Avian Center at the Philadelphia Zoo.

4.North Carolina University offers an excellent guide to natural landscaping which will attract birds to your area and help them flourish.Then visit A Home For Wild Birds for seed and treat recipes.

5. Little Birdie Secrets has created edible bread stick birds which have to be seen to be believed. Or opt for the easy plum and pretzel bird from Canadian Family.

6. Check out these and more related Perfect Picture Books at your local library.


Reviewed by Julie
Reviewed by Joanna


Reviewed by Joanne
Reviewed by Erik

Reviewed by Joanna
https://pennyklostermann.com/2014/03/07/bird-bird-bird-a-chirping-chant/
Reviewed by Penny

Reviewed by Leslie
Reviewed by Gretchen



Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, January 20, 2017 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

21 comments:

  1. I love listening to birds when I'm outside and imagine what they are saying. I think children will love this beautiful book. Like your activity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I think it will be a hit with kids and was surprised I hadn't heard of it before.

      Delete
  2. Having a chatty parakeet, I'm never in doubt of what he's saying. I know I'm going to love this book, Lita Judge's illustrations are so expressive and beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL my grandma always had a parakeet, and always named him Tommy, same as her cat! Thanks

      Delete
  3. A relative worked at the Philly avian center! I talk back to the chickadees and crows. Not sure what I'm saying though. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those chickadees are so cute! But the blue jays always chase them away. Thanks for reading.

      Delete
  4. Fun book. I love birds and enjoy participating counts. Look forward to checking it out closer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by. I have another bird / nature book coming up the first week in February. It's a good one.

      Delete
  5. This sounds very cool! and all the other books that go with it - thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. It was hard to narow down the list of companion books. I hope you can find them all!

      Delete
  6. I love looking at books with wonderful illustrations. The cover makes it seem this one fits the bill. My cats usually chase the birds away--they are not allowed to touch them, but birds still leave.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Born in the Wild is another of Lita's books with amazing illustrations. You can find it on Goodreads
      https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20518967-born-in-the-wild

      Delete
  7. Fabulous post, Joanne...I especially love all the other related books you receommend and the activities...thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like a good one!
    My faves are crows (they're just so comical) and the hummingbirds that visit my feeder year round!
    BTW, I tried your Bread Stick Birds link and it doesn't seem to be working.
    Thanks for an awesome review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I fixed the link. Sorry Also here it is again
      http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2011/07/little-birdie-rolls-tutorial.html

      Delete
  9. As an active bird nerd, I always love finding a new bird book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Circle, Every Day Birds, and My Book of Birds were some of the other bird picture books I read last fall. You might especially enjoy Crow Smarts, which is a detailed account of researching Caledonian crows' behavior.

      Delete
  10. I LOVE this book! Thanks for sharing it... as it's fun, fun, fun to read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was surprised to see it wasn't yet added to the list. So glad you enjoyed it.

      Delete

Thank-you for taking time to share your thoughts!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.