Review by Booklist Review
This nonfiction picture book describes materials used by 40 species of birds from all parts of the world to build their unique nests and how they go about building them. Some birds are grouped together by the type of nest they build or the materials they use, starting with four types of birds that don't build nests at all. The diversity of materials and designs of the nests some as heavy as a car (American Eagle) or an elephant (Horned Coot), others as small as a ping-pong ball (Costa's Hummingbird) make this a topic that will appeal to many. The pleasant format with text curving up and down and interestingly juxtaposed with the softly colored illustrations makes the engaging subject matter even more accessible. Included is a map that shows where all the species live. The final page gives tips on providing materials that birds can use for nesting. Once the readers get past the misleading title (ostriches are not mentioned in the text), they will be delighted with what they find.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-From emperor penguins that protect their eggs with their belly fat to the elaborate bowerbirds that spend months creating a mating spot, this intriguing book describes and illustrates how creative and exacting birds can be when building an abode. Divided into sections based on the type of nest, each example includes a brief description of the bird's method of construction and the materials used. What's most fascinating is the amazing diversity represented, including some very clever birds that literally sew, steal, or decorate their nests, as well as those whose structures are big enough to hold a human. Done in watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and ink, the illustrations are simple and appealing. Close-up and interior views offer more detail, although only the text provides a true sense of scale (bald eagle nests "are GIGANTIC, up to ten feet wide and weighing two tons. That's as heavy as a car!"). Packed with visual appeal and interesting information, this book is well worth sharing.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Nicely balancing accuracy and accessibility, Kelly presents well-chosen information about dozens of birds' nesting habits and materials, from a blue-footed booby covering an egg with her feet to masked weavers constructing hanging nests from shredded leaves. The friendly page design includes wavy lines of hand-lettered-looking text and simple, clear illustrations. A world map at the end shows distribution. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
From the North American bald eagle to the Australian brush-turkey, the nesting habits of 40 different birds are briefly explored. Kelly's conversational style conveys the breadth of these often-unusual habitats, noting the nests' various materials and the methods used to support baby birds. Engaging facts support the broad subject matter: The sociable weaver, for instance, may live with more than 200 others in a nest that can last as long as 100 years. The industrious layout of this eclectic collection encourages browsing. A wavy typeface (endearingly called "Lizard") and solid lines integrated within these busy double-page spreads serve to organize the layout. Mixed-media illustrations convey the diversity among these feathered flocks; watercolors, gouache, acrylics and pen-and-ink utilize texture and soft colors to capture their subjects. A map highlights each bird's locale, and a concluding activity encourages young scientists to observe and assist birds in their natural environments. Though the addition of source notes and an index would aid the budding researcher, this offering will intrigue many young ornithologists. (Informational picture book. 5-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
