Review by Booklist Review
Teckentrup expands her ornithological picture-book offerings with this lovely companion to The Egg (2017). Here she explores plumology, bird feather science, introducing feather structure, type, and function, as well as its significance in human culture. Her beautifully textured illustrations, a combination of handmade and digital collage, showcase the great variety of plumes, ranging from streamlined contour feathers to gossamer down and semiplumes, and from drab (but providing excellent camouflage) to ostentatious. Succinct, lightly scientific text blocks their subject clearly stated in a heading are either accompanied by a full-page illustration or overlay a two-page scene. Readers will no doubt find the pages on feather colors fascinating (certain colors are stronger and more durable), not to mention those devoted to wing shape and flight. A minor quibble is that the birds in the illustrations aren't always identified, though they do reliably support the text. The book closes with humans' long fascination with flight, and by extension, feathers, highlighting their appearance in ancient artwork and mythologies, as well as fashion. The STEAM potential of this unique avian study is sky-high.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this quietly introspective volume featuring evocative, earth-toned prints, German author-illustrator Teckentrup (Tree: A Peek-Through Picture Book) explores bird life, behavior, and anatomy through the topic of feathers. Writing in lyrical vignette-like passages, she discusses the physical structure of feathers, how they develop, bird preening and molting, and human use of feathers, among other subjects. Teckentrup relays detailed facts while maintaining an air of wonder: "Birds have to create their own thrust to move themselves through the air, but they must also keep the air resistance created by their wings and body to a minimum." Intriguingly, Teckentrup weaves in tangential references, including the story of Icarus and the falcon feather that astronaut David Scott left on the moon in 1971. Teckentrup's opening description of feathers may be just as apt a description for her art and words: "They are delicate, complex, extravagant, beautiful and strong-all at the same time." Ages 6-up. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Horn Book Review
The shapes, sizes, and uses of feathers as well as the structure and purposes of wings are thoroughly explained and beautifully illustrated. Discussions include the ways in which feathers protect birds from the elements and advertise their assets to potential mates. Teckentrup's art is particularly effective in conveying the fluff and fringes of feathers, and the way they splay in unfurled wings. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
