My Summer Reading is for the Birds!

 Birds abound all around us. So this summer my sit-under-a-shady-tree reading includes a collection of books about birds. They are equally suitable for reading beneath a beach umbrella.

National Geographic Kids bird guide of North America 

There’s always room to tuck a field guide (and even a pair of binoculars) into your beach tote or backpack. The NGK field guides are kid-friendly and filled with more than bird IDs. Check out this review by the Celebrate Picture Books team. Of course, you can always leave the field guide at home and load the Merlin app to your phone.

Backpack Explorer: Bird Watch, by Editors of Storey Publishing 

This book leads kids through the basics of birding – from how to identify common birds to learning about migration, where birds live, and even their songs. There are lots of hands-on activities as well as interactive mini-field guides for such things as eggs, bird tracks, and what sorts of nests birds build. And there’s a birding log where kids can record their bird sightings, and stickers for completing activities. Pairs well with binoculars, a granola bar, and water bottle.

On Gull Beach, by Jane Yolen

What’s a beach without gulls? If you’re headed to the ocean, or a lake, make sure you take this for a read-along. Check out my review here.

Odd Birds: Meet Nature's Weirdest Flock (Board book), by Laura Gehl 

This board book just hit bookshelves last month and is a fun way to introduce littles to some unusual birds. 

Eight birds are featured: the frigatebird, with a bright red throat pouch; the blue-footed booby, with feet as advertised; the shoebill stork, ostrich, a very stinky hoatzin, and oilbird; the California condor – the largest flying birds in North America; and the burrowing owl, possibly the cutest. Gentle rhymes introduce the birds, and photos with more information are included at the back.

Chickenology : the ultimate encyclopedia, by Barbara SandriDepending on where you live, chickens may well be part of the local bird fauna. This book is aimed at the 7-and-up crowd, and is fun to browse. Who knew chickens are so cool? Check out this review by fellow author, Jilanne Hoffmann

So You Want to Be an Owl, by Jane Porter 

If you want to be an owl, you have to go to Owl School. That’s where you learn everything you need to know about hunting, seeing in the dark, and flight. No wings? A shame… but you can practice hooting, toe swivels, and being alert. A fun way to learn more about owls.

Bird Show, by Susan Stockdale

Imagine if birds held a fashion show! This book is the next-best thing. Check out my review here.

A Peek at Beaks: Tools Birds Use, by Sara Levine

Wings are nice to have, but beaks can’t be beat. That’s because beaks are built-in tools that can help comb your feathers, scoop up food, and even show how you feel – if you’re a bird. Check out my review here. 

How to find a bird, by Jennifer Ward

If you’re going to watch birds, you need to find them. And Jennifer Ward shares all the secrets. Check out this review by fellow author, Carol Baldwin

Birds don’t build blanket forts or sand castles. They build nests. Here are two fun-to-read books about building bird nests.

The Nest That Wren Built, by Randi Sonenshine - check out my review here

This is the nest that Robin built : with a little help from her friends, by Denise Fleming

Check out this review by fellow book-lover, Joanna Marple

Lovebird Lou, by Tammi Sauer

There are tons of stories about birds. Here’s one published just a few months ago. I love it because my husband’s name is Lou. You’ll love it because it’s a sweet story about family and finding yourself. Check out this review by friend and fellow STEM Tuesday blogger, Maria Marshall