About Parrots: A Guide for Children

Gr 1–3—Eighteen species of parrots are featured in a series of attractive spreads. While young bird enthusiasts will appreciate the simple text of the book, with only a single sentence per page, older readers will enjoy the in-depth information found toward the end of the book. For instance, a spread featuring a kakapo reads simply, "It is important to protect parrots and the places where they live," while the corresponding paragraph at the back of the book goes into more depth, describing the kakapos as flightless parrots that live on the ground, leaving them vulnerable to cats and rats introduced by humans, resulting in their near extinction. The author offers solid material, including food for thought about the pet parrot industry and the risk of disappearing habitats. The watercolor paintings are real showstoppers—the parrots stand out like jewels against muted landscapes. With this volume, the Sills add another respectful examination of wildlife to their noteworthy repertoire.—Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR