FLY WITH ME by Jane Yolen, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, Adam Stemple & Jason Stemple

I don’t usually review middle grade non-fiction, but this book is so lovely I couldn’t resist! Such a perfect book for the Year of the Bird in 2018 (see more about the Year of the Bird). Even though it's now 2019, I love birds and I think every year should be the year of the bird!

Description from the publisher

Enchanting stories, lyrical poems, stunning photography, and fascinating science fill the pages of this treasury celebrating the amazing world of birds.

This thoughtful and beautifully curated collection of our flying, feathery friends highlights the role birds play in human life from centuries ago to present day. While it’s beautiful, it’s also full of valuable real science about these wondrous creatures. From history and behavior to spotting and photographing, there’s sure to be something for every bird fan in your flock. Young birders will learn all about migration and the importance of habitat conservation. They’ll find stories about bird rescues and fun facts about the fastest, strongest, and tiniest fliers. They’ll also discover the best bird nests, sweet songs to sing, ways to listen for and identify the birds around them, and more. Paired with stunning art and photography and beautiful design, this treasury is sure to become a classic for bird enthusiasts of all ages.

Fly with Me was created to help celebrate Year of the Bird, National Geographic’s 2018 initiative to bring awareness to the plight of birds around the world.

Why you want to read this book… 

This book seems to have everything anyone could want – gorgeous photographs, cool bird facts, information about state birds and extinct birds, legends and stories about birds, lovely poetry – and even some information about dinosaurs!  I really enjoy picking up this book when I have a quiet moment. It’s fun to discover something new or read a bird-related poem before I gaze out the window at my bird feeder. I’m going to have to track down some of the movies in the “birds on screen” list.

If you’re a writer… 

You might like to spend some time studying the lovely poetry in this book. It reminded me of how nature and science can inspire our writing work.

You wait as quite

as leaf or lawn

or the moment

before dawn.

If you’re an educator…

This book is a great resource for students who are learning about or interested in birds. It’s packed with information so some kids may be overwhelmed if they think they have to read it all. A book that is well-suited to flipping though and finding things that catch the eye. It would be lovely to have on hand to go with a bird feeding station or in a quiet area for students to sample from when they have a free moment.

To see birds, you need only to open your eyes and look.

For more resources about the Year of the Bird at National Geographic’s Kids site.

If you’re looking for more to read, check out the list of fabulous middle grade books over at Marvelous Middle Grade Monday on Greg Pattridge's blog.

YOU NEST HERE WITH ME by Jane Yolen, Heidi E. Y. Stemple & Melissa Sweet

I think my mom would’ve loved this book and she would have bought it for her granddaughters if it had been around when they were younger. A really special book for bird lovers and bird watchers!

Summary from the publisher:

With rhyming text, this soothing bedtime book is an ode to baby birds everywhere and sleepy children home safe in their own beds. As a mother describes to her child how many species of birds nest, from pigeons on concrete ledges to owls in oak tree boles to swallows above barn doors. The soothing refrain of “you nest here with me” eases her little one and readers alike to slumber. Combining their poetic writing and their love of birding, mother and daughter Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple have written what is sure to become a bedtime classic.

You Nest Here With Me was written by Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi E.Y. Stemple, and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. It was published by Boyds Mills Press in 2015.

Opening:

My little nestling, time for bed.

Climb inside, you sleepyhead.

My Thoughts as a Writer:

A lovely example of a rhyming story.  I enjoyed the way the rhythm of the story carried me along and showed me different kinds of birds. The repetition of “You nest here with me” is so comforting. It was interesting to read the back matter and think about the four facts chosen for each bird.

  

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

I’m looking forward to reading this book to my kindergarten students who have been noticing birds now that spring is coming. I liked the facts at the back and the way a drawing of a feather and egg is included, since students sometimes find bird feathers.

Ages: 4 - 8

Grades: K - 3

Themes: birds, nests, bird-watching, family

Activities:

Build: Collect materials and try to build your own bird nest.

Draw: If you could build a nest anywhere, where would it be? Draw a plan to show where you’d build your nest.

Discuss: What is your favorite bird from the story? Why do you like that one best?

THE CUCKOO’S HAIKU AND OTHER BIRDING POEMS by Michael J. Rosen & Stan Fellows

I don’t necessarily consider this a children’s book, more a book for all ages, especially if you enjoy poetry. I gave this book to my mom a few years ago. Now that she has passed away, it’s nice to have it on my own bookshelf to remind me of happy times we spent bird-watching together. I also love the watercolour illustrations!

Summary from the publisher:

In spare and graceful words, poet and birder Michael J. Rosen captures

the forecasting call of the mysterious cuckoo as well as essential characteristics of more than twenty commonly seen North American birds. This artfully compiled field notebook — enriched by the evocative artwork of watercolorist Stan Fellows — captures the excitement of recognizing a bird, whether a darting kingfisher, a wandering wild turkey, or a chirpy house sparrow.

Back matter includes notes for birdwatchers and haiku lovers.

The Cuckoo’s Haiku was written by Michael J. Rosen and illustrated by Stan Fellows. It was published by Candlewick Press in 2009.

My Thoughts as a Writer:

I admire the way some people can evoke such feeling with a few well-chosen words. It’s an interesting idea to create a set of poems based on different species of the same animal. It could spark inspiration for a poetry project of your own!

The watercolor illustrations in this book are lovely, showing different seasons and realistic details in the different species of birds. I enjoyed the facts included with the illustrations (though the hand-written script style made them a little hard to read).

American Crow: huge, violet black birds (commonly eighteen inches tall, with a wingspan twice that).

My Thoughts as an Educator:

This would be especially lovely to read to students who are learning poetry or even students who are interested in birds and bird-watching.

Ages: 6 and up

Grades: 1 and up

Themes: birds, seasons, poetry

Activities:

Which of the birds or poems in this book is your favorite? Think about why.

Observe some birds out the window or at a local park. What words and phrases would you use to describe them?

Try creating your own haiku poem about something in nature.

Bring drawing materials and watercolor paints outside. Create a "field guide" to your own backyard or school yard, observing and painting what you notice.

MY BEAUTIFUL BIRDS by Suzanne Del Rizzo

I'm continuing with my "bird theme" for the month of March. I've noticed it's difficult to narrow down my favourite bird-related picture books. There are so many of them! I spent a long time studying the stunning illustrations in this one. 

Summary from the publisher:

Behind Sami, the Syrian skyline is full of smoke. The boy follows his family and all his neighbours in a long line, as they trudge through the sands and hills to escape the bombs that have destroyed their homes. But all Sami can think of is his pet pigeons—will they escape too? When they reach a refugee camp and are safe at last, everyone settles into the tent city. But though the children start to play and go to school again, Sami can’t join in. When he is given paper and paint, all he can do is smear his painting with black. He can’t forget his birds and what his family has left behind.

One day a canary, a dove, and a rose finch fly into the camp. They flutter around Sami and settle on his outstretched arms. For Sami it is one step in a long healing process at last.

My Beautiful Birds was written and illustrated by Suzanne Del Rizzo. It was published by Pajama Press in 2017.

Opening:

The ground rumbles beneath my slippers as I walk.

My thoughts as a writer:

The story is told in a way that helps younger children connect to the feelings of sadness and fear of the refugee experience.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful, reminding me of many amazing sunsets and cloud-filled skies I have experienced.

If I close my eyes, sometimes I can see my birds, and

sometimes I daydream that I hear them.

My thoughts as an educator:

This book is a great way to introduce or deepen an understanding of the refugee experience at the primary level. Some important aspects of this story for me were the strong sense of community through community members helping each other and the subtle hint of friendship at the end. It would be interesting to read this story along with Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey by Magriet Ruurs & Nizar Ali Badr and compare the stories.

Ages: 5 and up

Grades: K and up

Themes: refugees, birds, imagination, community

Activities:

Use modeling clay to create your own picture. Try blending clay and adding textures like the illustrator did for the illustrations in this story.

Research: What is your favorite kind of bird? What is special about it?

Discuss: What would you take if you had to leave your home forever? Draw a picture of your most important things.

Watch the book trailer: 

HOOT OWL, MASTER OF DISGUISE by Sean Taylor & Jean Jullien

Continuing with my March theme of birds, I remembered this fun book we discussed when I was one of the judges for the 2015 Cybils Awards for fiction picture books.

Summary from Amazon:

Hoot Owl is no ordinary owl. He is a master of disguise! In the blackness of night, he’s preparing to swoop on his prey before it can realize his dastardly tricks. Look there—a tasty rabbit for him to eat! Hoot Owl readies his costume, disguising himself as . . . a carrot! Then he waits. The rabbit runs off. Never mind! Surely his next juicy target will cower against such a clever and dangerous creature as he!

Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise was written by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Jean Jullien. The copy at my library was published in 2015 by Candlewick Press.

Opening:

The darkness of midnight

is all around me.

But I fly through it as quick

as a shooting star.

My thoughts as a writer:

This is an excellent example of a book with a short text and a main character with lots of voice and personality. This story has a repetitive pattern, lovely creative language and it’s funny! I recommend it as a book that picture book writers should take a look at, especially if you are writing a story told in first person.

I also really liked the bold colours in the illustrations, contrasting against the black background. The drawings seem simple yet the owl and other animal characters have so much expression.

Everyone knows Owls are wise. But as well as being wise, I am a master of disguise.

My thoughts as an educator:

This book made me laugh! I really like the message behind this story about being confident in yourself and not giving up. It shows kids how setbacks can simply mean we need to try again. Hoot Owl’s creativity with the disguises was fun. I noticed that since the story is told in first person, there is no gender assigned to Hoot Owl, which might make for a nice topic of discussion.

Ages: 4 - 7

Grades: K – 2

Themes: persistence, bravery, self-confidence, birds

Activities:

Discuss: Is Hoot Owl a boy or a girl? Does it matter?

Draw your own animal superhero.

Make puppets and act out the story of Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise. The author notes on his website that this book has indeed been made into a play! Here's a link if you'd like to check it out (https://proonproductions.jimdo.com/)

Here’s a YouTube video of the author reading his story:

Learning from Picture Books – HOORAY FOR BIRDS by Lucy Cousins

This book shows the world from a different point of view – a bird’s eye view!

Summary from the publisher:

Birds of all feathers flock together in a fun, rhyme-filled offering by the creator of Maisy. From the rooster’s “cock-a-doodle-doo” at dawn to the owl’s nighttime “tuwit, tuwoo,” the cheeps and tweets of many bright and beautiful avian friends will have children eager to join in as honorary fledglings. This day in the life of birds will hold the attention of even the smallest bird-watchers, whether at storytime or just before settling into their cozy nests to sleep.

Hooray for Birds was written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins. It was published in 2017 by Candlewick Press.

Opening:

Can you imagine…

just for one day…

you’re a busy bird?

Yes, a bird!

Hooray!

My Thoughts as a Writer:

I really enjoyed the fun rhyming text and big, bright illustrations. It’s a good example of rhyme done well and it encourages children to engage with the story.

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

My students would enjoy this book, because of the catchy rhyme and big colourful illustrations. The bird actions are fun and this would be a great book for encouraging dramatic play. It would also be nice to include with non-fiction books about birds at a science area.

Ages: 3 - 7

Grades: PreK - 2

Themes: birds, creative movement, rhyming

Activities:

Read through the story and act it out as you go along!

Create your own drawing or painting of a bird in the style of Lucy Cousin’s art with a dark outline. Cut out each bird and display them together.

Photograph each student performing a bird action, perhaps with handmade bird accessory or prop, and make a class book. 

NOTE: This title has been nominated for the Cybils Award, and I am a first round panelist. There are many nominations and six other judges. My opinions should not be construed as a sign of inclusion or exclusion on the final short list.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday – FALCON WILD by Terry Lynn Johnson

 A different take on the typical survival story because it includes a falcon!                             

 

Description from the publisher:

Thirteen-year-old Karma is lost in the backcountry of Montana with her falcon, Stark, and a troubled runaway boy named Cooper. She’s desperate to find help for her dad and brother after a blown tire on a back road causes a terrible accident.

Karma wouldn’t be in this predicament if her parents hadn’t insisted on returning Stark to the bird’s original owner. Life at her father's bird sanctuary—and Karma’s dreams of becoming an apprentice falconer—will never be the same when she has to give Stark back. Lost in the wild, their bond only grows stronger as Karma teaches the falcon to hunt like a bird of prey. All the while, Cooper gets his own lessons on how to trust in newfound friendship.

Both Karma’s and Cooper's mettle is tested by mountain terrain, wild animals, severe weather, injury, and her own waning hope as this edge-of-your-seat wilderness adventure story vividly portrays the special bonds that can form between humans and animals.

Falcon Wild was written by Terry Lynn Johnson and published by Charlesbridge in 2017.

Why you want to read this book… 

It’s an exciting adventure story as well as a story of friendship between Karma and Cooper. One of the things I enjoy about middle grade novels are all the unique hobbies and interests kids have. The details about falconry in this book were super interesting!

“I’m dangling above a dark hole. The falcon-like part of my brain kicks in. My eyes dart, searching for a solution.”

If you’re a writer… 

The setting is a big part of this story, so it’s a good book to read to study to see how to integrate setting details.

 “The air has changed around me. The smells of cooling earth are lifting with the approaching dusk.”

If you’re a teacher…

I liked how the main character in this story made several “mistakes” and had to find ways to resolve her feelings about them.

“After all my time getting her to trust me, now I’m betraying her.”

Opening Line:

“Stark senses my fear and pulls at the jesses around her feet.”

Other Info:

I really enjoyed Terry Lynn Johnston’s novel Ice Dogs and I’m looking forward to reading her other new stand alone novel, Sled Dogs.

She is also writing a Survivor Diaries Series and the first book, Overboard! is now available. 

There’s a teacher’s guide for this novel here.