BOOKS

Little Kids First Big Book of Birds

by Katherine D. HUGHES
128p. glossary. index. photos. National Geographic. Jul. 2016. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9781426324321.
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PreS-Gr 3—Parents, teachers, and curious children will be fascinated by this excellent introduction to birds. The chapter divisions reflect the features and behavior of a broad range of birds. End-of-chapter games and interactive questions encourage children to personally engage with the subject matter, while the "Parent Tips" section provides activity ideas and further resources. Sidebars with basic information about specific avian species also show the scale of those birds by depicting the animals next to a child's hand. Subject headings, a wealth of fact boxes, a glossary, and an index make this a great choice for teaching nonfiction text features. Use a small section for read-alouds or storytime and then encourage children to pore over the pages on their own.
VERDICT Lush nature photography, concise language, a large print size, and a browsable layout: this offering is ideal for home, school, and library use.
Reviewed by Rachel Anne Mencke, St. Matthew's Parish School, Pacific Palisades, CA
Five chapters help young readers become observant bird watchers. After covering the basics (feathers, beaks, eggs, flight), subsequent chapters highlight specific species to discuss movement, exceptional behavior, nesting behavior, and food. Spectacular color photos showcase various birds at rest and in flight. Fact boxes offer overviews and context questions, while various games provide additional engagement. Back matter includes a habitat map and suggested activities. Glos., ind.
 , Oct 01, 2016

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