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Birds
In what the New York Times Book Review calls “a perfect book,” a little girl watches birds from her window and dreams she can fly. A board book edition of the critically acclaimed picture book from the award-winning husband-and-wife team of Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek. An ALA Notable Book.
Birds “will resonate with the youngest children,” said School Library Journal. With a fine eye for detail, a girl observes and describes birds—their sizes, their colors, their shapes, the way they move and appear and disappear, and how they are most like her. She imagines what it would be like if clouds looked like birds, or if she could ask the birds questions. Though she can’t fly, the girl can do one thing birds do—she can sing. Vibrant and lively paintings accompany a text pitched precisely to preschoolers in this husband-and-wife collaboration. This board book edition offers a fresh perspective and a new point of view to very young children. Booklist said, “Together, the words and pictures create a book that will enchant preschool audiences again and again.”
Birds “will resonate with the youngest children,” said School Library Journal. With a fine eye for detail, a girl observes and describes birds—their sizes, their colors, their shapes, the way they move and appear and disappear, and how they are most like her. She imagines what it would be like if clouds looked like birds, or if she could ask the birds questions. Though she can’t fly, the girl can do one thing birds do—she can sing. Vibrant and lively paintings accompany a text pitched precisely to preschoolers in this husband-and-wife collaboration. This board book edition offers a fresh perspective and a new point of view to very young children. Booklist said, “Together, the words and pictures create a book that will enchant preschool audiences again and again.”
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 17, 2009
About the author
Kevin Henkes
135 books1,119 followersKevin Henkes is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. As an illustrator he won the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon (2004). Two of his books were Newbery Medal Honor Books, Olive's Ocean in 2004 and The Year of Billy Miller in 2014. His picture book Waiting was named both a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and a Geisel Honor Book. It was only the second time any author has won that combination of awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
November 10, 2016
This book is good, and a little creepy. It is about birds.
I didn't really know what to expect from this. Would it be informative? Whimsical?
What it actually turned out to be was imaginative and a bit disturbing.
Sometimes they are so black that you can't see their eyes or their feathers, just their shapes.
..., the narrator informs us, showing us huge, dark silhouettes of featureless birds.
Once I saw seven birds on the telephone wire.
They didn't move
and they didn't move
and they didn't move.
I looked away for just a second...
turn the page to see one long, empty black wire
and they were gone.
Disturbing as fuck.
The book DOES have some whimsical moments. One of the best is when the narrator - a little girl - shows what the sky would look like if birds made marks with their tail feathers when they flew.
This is often used as a kid's art project in school.
Or when the child imagines what the sky would look like if clouds were birds.
The book also has thoughtful moments. For example, there is a striking picture of a single male cardinal on a stark tree in winter in a snowstorm.
Sometimes, in winter, a bird in a tree looks like one red leaf left over.
Or the time we see an autumn tree packed full of black birds, birds crowded on every branch and twig.
If there are lots of birds in one tree and they all fly away at the same time, it looks like the tree yelled...
You turn the page and the birds are all taking flight at once, exploding into the cold blue air like a tornado.
SURPRISE!
Tl;dr - Due to its stark, sometimes dark (I don't mean anything seriously dark here, just mildly unsettling) tone, this is a perfect book for autumn for any child - although you could read it anytime. The illustrations are simple, yet effective and sometimes quite striking.
Ages 2-6
I didn't really know what to expect from this. Would it be informative? Whimsical?
What it actually turned out to be was imaginative and a bit disturbing.
Sometimes they are so black that you can't see their eyes or their feathers, just their shapes.
..., the narrator informs us, showing us huge, dark silhouettes of featureless birds.
Once I saw seven birds on the telephone wire.
They didn't move
and they didn't move
and they didn't move.
I looked away for just a second...
turn the page to see one long, empty black wire
and they were gone.
Disturbing as fuck.
The book DOES have some whimsical moments. One of the best is when the narrator - a little girl - shows what the sky would look like if birds made marks with their tail feathers when they flew.
This is often used as a kid's art project in school.
Or when the child imagines what the sky would look like if clouds were birds.
The book also has thoughtful moments. For example, there is a striking picture of a single male cardinal on a stark tree in winter in a snowstorm.
Sometimes, in winter, a bird in a tree looks like one red leaf left over.
Or the time we see an autumn tree packed full of black birds, birds crowded on every branch and twig.
If there are lots of birds in one tree and they all fly away at the same time, it looks like the tree yelled...
You turn the page and the birds are all taking flight at once, exploding into the cold blue air like a tornado.
SURPRISE!
Tl;dr - Due to its stark, sometimes dark (I don't mean anything seriously dark here, just mildly unsettling) tone, this is a perfect book for autumn for any child - although you could read it anytime. The illustrations are simple, yet effective and sometimes quite striking.
Ages 2-6
April 1, 2009
I just love this book. The illustrations are simple and match the text, but it is the text that just really captures the wonder and mystery of birds. I saw a review of this, and had to go out and get it right away. It was well worth it!
October 5, 2019
Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek, who collaborated on the 1999 picture-book
Oh!
, team up once again for Birds, a lovely tribute to our avian friends. Narrated by a young girl (something revealed at the very end), the simple narrative highlights the diversity of bird life in the world, from owls to seagulls, songbirds to crows. Their frenetic energy, dizzying flight patterns, and mysterious comings and goings, are also described.
Less of a storybook, than a contemplative celebration, Birds pairs Henkes' text with Dronzek's gorgeous acrylic illustrations, and contrary to my expectations as a big Kevin Henkes fan, it was the artwork that really won me over. Whether depicting colorful songbirds all perched on the same tree, curious crows on their own page-sized color panels, or a winter landscape with a single bird, Dronzek's paintings just worked, perfectly capturing the brief snippets of text with which they were paired. I think my favorite was the scene in which a flock of birds all fly away from the same tree at once, creating a scene in which it looks like the tree is yelling "Surprise!" Definitely one young would-be ornithologists will want to peruse.
Less of a storybook, than a contemplative celebration, Birds pairs Henkes' text with Dronzek's gorgeous acrylic illustrations, and contrary to my expectations as a big Kevin Henkes fan, it was the artwork that really won me over. Whether depicting colorful songbirds all perched on the same tree, curious crows on their own page-sized color panels, or a winter landscape with a single bird, Dronzek's paintings just worked, perfectly capturing the brief snippets of text with which they were paired. I think my favorite was the scene in which a flock of birds all fly away from the same tree at once, creating a scene in which it looks like the tree is yelling "Surprise!" Definitely one young would-be ornithologists will want to peruse.
June 20, 2010
This is a book designed for the very young, for the preschooler. The cover didn’t wow me, but the first illustration with the robin and the pink flowers and the yellow curtains hooked me, and I enjoyed quite a few of the illustrations, but not all of them; some I didn’t appreciate much at all. However, though I was very disappointed when I noticed that Henkes did not do the illustrations for this book, it was the artwork that really made the book. The text is scanty, and although fine for young children interested in birds, it contains simple descriptions rather than any real narrative. However, this is a good introduction to birds and there is enough variety (of pictures and text) within to hold one’s attention. I was fascinated by birds when I was young, and I think kids will like this book, especially when they get to the little girl shown at the end and find they also can do two bird-like behaviors. My three and four year old self would have been captivated by this book and, as an adult, I appreciate that this new book has the simplicity most books had when I was young.
January 14, 2022
I'm loving the seasons, but I am just not a huge fan of birds. I blame Hitchcock and DuMaurier. Also karen.
Library
Library
March 8, 2018
This book would be most appreciated by two and three year olds. It has bright colorful illustrations to express various bird silhouettes, sizes and colors. I liked how the text and illustrations allow the child to think creatively about birds by imagining clouds in the shapes of birds, or how colorful the sky would be if bird's tail feathers left streaks, like paint brushes, as they flew. A book like this may cause your youngster to notice the birds they see in their little lives. I think this would make a great group read to youngsters.
January 26, 2011
Birds, by Kevin Henkes and illustrated by Laura Dronzek (2009)
Picture Book, 32 pages
Birds encourages pre-readers to explore colors, shapes, sounds, and sizes of birds. It also nudges younger ones to use their imaginations, whether it’s to visualize the birds in the clouds or lines they would leave if their tail feathers left flight patterns. Dronzek creates clear and vivid illustrations that are big and draw the eye to the focal point of each page. With his use of personification, imagery, and sound, Henkes creates a story that begs little ones to think about the world around them and life outside their own, by relating to feathered friends of all shapes and sizes. This would be a perfect book to share with a large group at storytime!
Picture Book, 32 pages
Birds encourages pre-readers to explore colors, shapes, sounds, and sizes of birds. It also nudges younger ones to use their imaginations, whether it’s to visualize the birds in the clouds or lines they would leave if their tail feathers left flight patterns. Dronzek creates clear and vivid illustrations that are big and draw the eye to the focal point of each page. With his use of personification, imagery, and sound, Henkes creates a story that begs little ones to think about the world around them and life outside their own, by relating to feathered friends of all shapes and sizes. This would be a perfect book to share with a large group at storytime!
February 1, 2014
Birds sing in the morning
Birds can be yellow, blue, red, brown, or even green, I think. Sometimes black.
Birds can be BIG or little. or any size in between.
Ever see birds on a telephone wire and the didn't move? They didn't move and they didn't move until you look away for a second… and they were gone.
My favorite part of the story:
"If birds made marks with their tail feathers when they flew, think what the sky would look like."
"If there are lots of birds in one tree and they all fly away at the same time, it looks like the tree yelled, SURPRISE!"
"I like to pretend I'm a bird. I can't REALLY fly, but I can do this… I can sing!"
Birds can be yellow, blue, red, brown, or even green, I think. Sometimes black.
Birds can be BIG or little. or any size in between.
Ever see birds on a telephone wire and the didn't move? They didn't move and they didn't move until you look away for a second… and they were gone.
My favorite part of the story:
"If birds made marks with their tail feathers when they flew, think what the sky would look like."
"If there are lots of birds in one tree and they all fly away at the same time, it looks like the tree yelled, SURPRISE!"
"I like to pretend I'm a bird. I can't REALLY fly, but I can do this… I can sing!"
January 8, 2016
The absolutely perfect book for a toddler who is interested in birds. Beautiful, arresting words and pictures. I bought it for a friend and loved it so much that I had to buy it for myself.
March 30, 2020
I love birds, I love Kevin Henkes, and I love Laura Dronzek! So this book is easily one of my favorites. I love the thoughtful, childlike wonder that fills the page. I love that the child’s wonderings are not always clearly answered, a perfect invitation for the reader to mull over things in their own. There are touches of whimsy, fantasy, and pure observation and appreciation of the natural world. Laura’s pictures really capture the spirit of the book so perfectly, and make the book all that much more of a joy.
March 12, 2020
This book has very simple text and pictures. Its simplicity makes it great for a preschool audience.
April 5, 2017
Come along as the little girl in this story watches the birds as they fly past and dreams of joining them. As she describes the different colors and types your little one will find themselves sharing her fascination of these special creatures that they will be familiar with from their own every day adventures. A classic author with yet another book that should be on your own bookshelves.
December 3, 2014
"Birds" by Kevin Henkes is exactly as it sounds -- a wonderful book about the wonders of birds, which come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. An informational nonfiction picturebook, Henkes exceeds in his delivery of the text, which includes the use of rhyming for an even more unique story. Throughout the book, children will be inclined to question and wonder about each bird, choose their favorite, and categorize them in different ways -- all strengthening their overall understanding of birds.
The illustrations in birds are beautifully done, created with pastels in an extremely wide array of colors and shades. Henkes uses every color in the spectrum, and almost every shade imaginable, to compliment his realistic drawings of birds. The illustrations are either full-bleed, or placed against negative space for added emphasis where words are present. The placement of the birds is ever-changing, adding to a book that draws the readers eyes in and causes them to glide from one place, to the next, to the following page, in a smooth and appropriate motion. The words are plain text, combined with the simplicity of words, often using one-word phrases, which is essential for beginning readers.
This book can be used for a variety of developmental skill learning, including identifying colors, seasons, and shapes, as the book uses an assortment of each. The book teaches relevant, easy-to-understand information about birds, adding to a child's overall understanding of birds and their environment.
The illustrations in birds are beautifully done, created with pastels in an extremely wide array of colors and shades. Henkes uses every color in the spectrum, and almost every shade imaginable, to compliment his realistic drawings of birds. The illustrations are either full-bleed, or placed against negative space for added emphasis where words are present. The placement of the birds is ever-changing, adding to a book that draws the readers eyes in and causes them to glide from one place, to the next, to the following page, in a smooth and appropriate motion. The words are plain text, combined with the simplicity of words, often using one-word phrases, which is essential for beginning readers.
This book can be used for a variety of developmental skill learning, including identifying colors, seasons, and shapes, as the book uses an assortment of each. The book teaches relevant, easy-to-understand information about birds, adding to a child's overall understanding of birds and their environment.
January 7, 2010
I've been wanting to write about this book for a long time. Funny, I found Bird, Lake, Moon, also by Henkes when I was searching for this title on goodreads. I'd forgotten that fantastic book, for a totally different audience. Bird, written by Henkes and illustrated by Laura Dronzek, who happens to be his wife, is amazing. From the amazing vibrant colors (I thought they were oil pastel at first, but they are actually acrylics), the reader is drawn to the page. The bold strokes catch the eye. The other two distinguishing features are the pacing of the story, and the voice -- both which work together to tell the story. The pacing and natural rhymthm of the story remind me a lot of Margaret Wise Brown. And the child narrator, whom we meet at the end of the book, makes observations that are so wonderfully grounded in the world of the child: "Birds can be yellow or blue or brown or red, or even green, I think" and "If there are lots of birds in one tree and they all fly away at the same time, it looks like the tree yelled, "Surprise!" I really think this is a Caldecott contender this year. Before I read this book, I didn't know how loud an empty page could be, such as when the narrator says "I looked away just for a second"...and all the next page has is a horizontal black line and the words "and they were gone." Wow. Just about all she could say was "wow".
February 27, 2014
Who would have thought this simple book would be so fun to use in a library story time?
Before opening the book I asked the pre-school age children if a flamingo is a bird, a reptile, or an animal. (Yes, mammal is a more correct term but I said 'animal'.) They said it is a bird. I said, let's see if there's a flamingo in this book about birds. (YES).
There's a double-page spread where birds are pictured sitting on a telephone wire. The two performers had all the children stand up and pretend they were birds holding very still on the wire. Then one performer "looked away for just a second..." (as it says in the text)while the other performer motioned for all the children to quietly sit down. (Turn the page) "and they were gone." At which point the performer says "where did all the birds go?" and then looks down and says "you guys fooled me!."
There's another delightful double-page spread where you can have all the children get ready to jump up and shout "SURPRISE!" After a trial run be sure to have them do it again.
The story closes with a child saying she can do one thing that birds do -- Sing! So we concluded the story by singing the first verse of "In the Leafy Treetops" (here's the tune and words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5U_R... )with all the children standing and swaying their raised arms like a treetop bending in the breeze.
Before opening the book I asked the pre-school age children if a flamingo is a bird, a reptile, or an animal. (Yes, mammal is a more correct term but I said 'animal'.) They said it is a bird. I said, let's see if there's a flamingo in this book about birds. (YES).
There's a double-page spread where birds are pictured sitting on a telephone wire. The two performers had all the children stand up and pretend they were birds holding very still on the wire. Then one performer "looked away for just a second..." (as it says in the text)while the other performer motioned for all the children to quietly sit down. (Turn the page) "and they were gone." At which point the performer says "where did all the birds go?" and then looks down and says "you guys fooled me!."
There's another delightful double-page spread where you can have all the children get ready to jump up and shout "SURPRISE!" After a trial run be sure to have them do it again.
The story closes with a child saying she can do one thing that birds do -- Sing! So we concluded the story by singing the first verse of "In the Leafy Treetops" (here's the tune and words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5U_R... )with all the children standing and swaying their raised arms like a treetop bending in the breeze.
November 11, 2015
Birds by Kevin Henke is a colorful, exciting book that depicts birds of all types. In this text the concepts of size, shape, and color are discussed, which are important for young children to learn about. Illustrator Laura Dronzek provided colorful, vibrant images that help to engage. This book can also show students the importance of celebrating uniqueness and individuality, much like how the birds’ unique features were celebrated.
The book Birds focuses on many concepts, including color. Students could practice learning and identifying colors by completing a color matching memory game. The game would feature images of birds of various colors, with each color being represented by two bird cards that students can then match up. Students place the cards so the images of the birds are face down and in a randomized order. Students then select two cards randomly, must name the colors represented in the image, and then may keep the cards if they match in color or must return the cards if they don’t match.
Another activity that students can do would be to make a bird feeder using a pipe cleaner and cheerios or fruitloops. Students could be encouraged to focus on making patterns with the cheerios and/or fruitloops on their pipe cleaner, could focus on making specific shapes or letters with the pipe cleaner, or could do both. They could then take the bird feeders home.
The book Birds focuses on many concepts, including color. Students could practice learning and identifying colors by completing a color matching memory game. The game would feature images of birds of various colors, with each color being represented by two bird cards that students can then match up. Students place the cards so the images of the birds are face down and in a randomized order. Students then select two cards randomly, must name the colors represented in the image, and then may keep the cards if they match in color or must return the cards if they don’t match.
Another activity that students can do would be to make a bird feeder using a pipe cleaner and cheerios or fruitloops. Students could be encouraged to focus on making patterns with the cheerios and/or fruitloops on their pipe cleaner, could focus on making specific shapes or letters with the pipe cleaner, or could do both. They could then take the bird feeders home.
December 26, 2013
Birds are everywhere. They are all sorts of sizes and all sorts of colors. This succinctly sums up Kevin Henkes’s new picture book simply entitled Birds. Even though there are scads of picture books about birds available on the market, Henkes’s entry is a standout. For one reason the illustrations by Laura Dronzek both blend with the text and stand out on their own. The soft, full-color acrylics outlined in black brightly fill the page and aid in exclaiming the wonders of birds. Henkes and Dronzek explore the unique qualities of birds and mix in some imaginative wonderings which establishes a fresh creative approach to an almost overdone topic.
Kevin Henkes is well-known for his colorful characters found in such books as Chrysanthemum and Lily’s Plastic Purse. He takes this same clever, exuberant approach and applies it in this early science concept book. He explores the subject with a playfulness that begins in profound simplicity, that slowly builds in sophistication to an ending of excellent epiphany. It is hoped there will be more to come from the husband-and-wife team of Henkes and Dronzek.
Kevin Henkes is well-known for his colorful characters found in such books as Chrysanthemum and Lily’s Plastic Purse. He takes this same clever, exuberant approach and applies it in this early science concept book. He explores the subject with a playfulness that begins in profound simplicity, that slowly builds in sophistication to an ending of excellent epiphany. It is hoped there will be more to come from the husband-and-wife team of Henkes and Dronzek.
March 12, 2013
This book describes what birds are like. They can be big, small, all different colors and they fly in flocks. They are everywhere in the summer, all but a few disappear for the winter, and during a rainstorm they always hide. There is a little girl who wishes she could fly like a bird even though she knows it is not possible. However, she is satisfied because even though she cant fly like a bird, she can sing like one. This would be a great book to use in a young elementary aged classroom while the students are learning about birds. It is a perfect book to use in a discussion about all the different types of birds there are and why birds fly south for the winter. The illustrations in this book are great because they show action and are fun to look at with the different sizes, colors, and the beautiful illustrations. I loved the page where it had many birds on one wire and then the next page they were all gone. Or the page where they are all on a tree and then the next they are a black scattered mess.
September 3, 2012
PB 38: This book had many positive features that I think would make it a perfect read aloud for young children. The book introduces different colors of birds which allow children to learn in a fun, informal setting. Also, the different sized fonts that match the words “BIG” and “little” give visual representations about what words mean, which is beneficial for children. Also, the book allows children to imagine different ideas such as what the sky would look like if birds made marks with the feathers on their tails. I think it is very important for children to extrapolate and think of new ideas, and from this reading experience, I will take away the idea that books can spark discussions about the possibilities that exist in the world. By doing so, children’s imaginations can grow, and they will see opportunity with new ideas. Although I thought the ending was not conclusive, I still would recommend this book for young children to learn in a way that is not overwhelming.
December 1, 2014
Birds, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, is a non-fiction children's book that tells all about birds and the different colors, sizes and shapes they come in! It is a fun, educational story that children will love to read from front to back!
The illustrations are bright and done in pastels. Every color in the rainbow is exemplified throughout this educational story. The birds are all different which gives the story some individuality. The format of the story is very different; with birds placed randomly on the pages and in different patterns. The text follows the outline of the pictures and creates a fun page.
This story teaches colors, seasons, and informational facts about birds. It is very beneficial because children can be engaged in the bright colors and animated birds, all while learning something important. It is a fun, educational story that can be read over and over and never get boring!
The illustrations are bright and done in pastels. Every color in the rainbow is exemplified throughout this educational story. The birds are all different which gives the story some individuality. The format of the story is very different; with birds placed randomly on the pages and in different patterns. The text follows the outline of the pictures and creates a fun page.
This story teaches colors, seasons, and informational facts about birds. It is very beneficial because children can be engaged in the bright colors and animated birds, all while learning something important. It is a fun, educational story that can be read over and over and never get boring!
Read
December 5, 2014Birds was both illustrated and written by Kevin Henkes, is a non-fiction children's book that tells all about birds this is a story that children will love to read from front to back! This story teaches colors and other interesting facts about the birds both in general and in the book. The students will be intrigued by the bright colors of the birds and will want to keep reading due to the interesting facts. It is a fun story that can be read multiple times, and you can pair this book with a informational book!
The illustrations are bright and done in different water colors. Due to the fact that the birds are all different this gives the story individualism, and shows that not everyone is the same. Since the birds are all different colors it shows they're all unique in they're own way, another life lesson done by Henkes. The format is different with scattered pictures of birds on the pages, but the text goes along with the pictures; making all the pages flow.
The illustrations are bright and done in different water colors. Due to the fact that the birds are all different this gives the story individualism, and shows that not everyone is the same. Since the birds are all different colors it shows they're all unique in they're own way, another life lesson done by Henkes. The format is different with scattered pictures of birds on the pages, but the text goes along with the pictures; making all the pages flow.
October 26, 2012
Review: This is a very colorful book, and that to me is amazing. You can't find many books nowadays for young readers that have bright, vivid pictures presented within a short-story text like this. It might be my personal love for the rainforest speaking, but the different breeds of birds in the book brought out other illustrations to me that I could put together in my mind and create a whole separate story. This being said, any little kid will enjoy this book due to it's amazing illustrations.
Summary: If you like birds, you should definitely take a look at this book. With wondrous illustrations and a setting filled of color, this book presents birds in another light. If you don't have much of an interest in birds, that will most likely change after reading this amazing book.
Citation: Henkes, Kevin, and Laura Dronzek. Birds. [New York]: Greenwillow, 2009. Print.
Summary: If you like birds, you should definitely take a look at this book. With wondrous illustrations and a setting filled of color, this book presents birds in another light. If you don't have much of an interest in birds, that will most likely change after reading this amazing book.
Citation: Henkes, Kevin, and Laura Dronzek. Birds. [New York]: Greenwillow, 2009. Print.
January 5, 2012
Kevin Henkes is an author I am fond of, with his glorious canon of the Julius, Baby Of The World type. I'd meant to use this title for storytime for some time, since its simpler concept and shorter length make it ideal for a read aloud for very young ones.
What I found was that, instead of the usual series of comparisons about all of the different forms birds can come in, it was a lovely collection of the sorts of thoughts real children may have - "If I were a bird, I'd ask where all the other birds go when it's stormy and they can't get home to their nests." I think children would really identify with these musings because they feel so genuine.
The ilustrations (by Kevin's wife!) pack the right amount of attractive colors and whimsy.
What I found was that, instead of the usual series of comparisons about all of the different forms birds can come in, it was a lovely collection of the sorts of thoughts real children may have - "If I were a bird, I'd ask where all the other birds go when it's stormy and they can't get home to their nests." I think children would really identify with these musings because they feel so genuine.
The ilustrations (by Kevin's wife!) pack the right amount of attractive colors and whimsy.
May 9, 2012
My son picked out this one at the library for reading, and it picked my curiosity when I saw it was by Kevin Henkes. The pictures in Birds are not in the same style as his other books however, in fact this book is illustrated by wife Laure Dronzek, in rich color, thick line.
While we both liked the pictures, I myself found the simple text quite interesting and full of surprises. My son actually ended up reading most of the text by himself, drawn in by the simplicity in the words and by the child like speculations taking place on the pages. And, maybe it's not so much a book about birds as it is musings spun from thoughts on birds.
This is a lovely, lovely, lovely book, which can be enjoyed on more than one level.
While we both liked the pictures, I myself found the simple text quite interesting and full of surprises. My son actually ended up reading most of the text by himself, drawn in by the simplicity in the words and by the child like speculations taking place on the pages. And, maybe it's not so much a book about birds as it is musings spun from thoughts on birds.
This is a lovely, lovely, lovely book, which can be enjoyed on more than one level.
July 16, 2012
The striking colors in this book make it a joy to read. As well as offering an introduction to birds, it addresses colors, sizes, weather, and counting. (Preschool-Kindergarten)
Curriculum Connection: It would be a delightful springboard into sharing our talents through the use of similes: “I can sing like a bird!”
Citation: Henkes, K., & Dronzek, L. (2009). Birds. Greenwillow Books.
Reviews: ALA Notable Children's Books 2010, Horn Book starred 03/01/09, Book Links starred 03/01/09, Kirkus Reviews 01/15/09, Booklist starred 01/01/09(Vol. 105, No. 9), Publishers Weekly 12/15/08, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 04/01/09, School Library Journal starred 02/01/09, Horn Book 10/01/09, Wilson's Children 10/01/10
Curriculum Connection: It would be a delightful springboard into sharing our talents through the use of similes: “I can sing like a bird!”
Citation: Henkes, K., & Dronzek, L. (2009). Birds. Greenwillow Books.
Reviews: ALA Notable Children's Books 2010, Horn Book starred 03/01/09, Book Links starred 03/01/09, Kirkus Reviews 01/15/09, Booklist starred 01/01/09(Vol. 105, No. 9), Publishers Weekly 12/15/08, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 04/01/09, School Library Journal starred 02/01/09, Horn Book 10/01/09, Wilson's Children 10/01/10
November 6, 2013
Birds by Kevin Henkes, Illustrated by Laura Dronzek, is a picture book with minimal text and descriptive images. Some pages have no text and the pages that do have only a few words. This is a Kindergarten-level introduction to various kinds of birds and bird behaviors. It is meant to be entertaining and an entry-level introduction to birds. The book covers the different colors, sizes, habitats and basic behaviors of birds with engaging illustrations. This book could be used to teach children about birds in conjunction with a basic science unit. I would tie it into a theme of observing birds on the playground and learning about other aspects of birds in the class, such as specific bird calls and feathers.
January 4, 2013
An utterly graceful mix of realistic elements, astute observations, poetry, and whimsy. Even the more complex/poetic bits are told simply enough for a very tiny child to understand, I think, which is fast becoming one of my most favorite things ever (e.g. what if all these colored birds' tails made trails in the sky? the telephone wire birds, the bird in winter, and of course, the observation about what it looks like when a bunch of birds in a tree fly away all at once is GENIUS). I so wish the art -- which is merely serviceable -- was as delicate and beautiful as the rest of the book, but, oh well.
Kevin Henkes is growing on me as a children's author, for real.
Kevin Henkes is growing on me as a children's author, for real.
April 15, 2013
This book describes what birds are like. They can be big, small, all different colors and they fly in flocks. They are everywhere in the summer, all but a few disappear for the winter, and during a rainstorm they always hide. There is a little girl who wishes she could fly like a bird even though she knows it is not possible. However, she is satisfied because even though she cant fly like a bird, she can sing like one.
This would be a great book to use in a young elementary aged classroom while the students are learning about birds. It is a perfect book to use in a discussion about all the different types of birds there are and why birds fly south for the winter.
This would be a great book to use in a young elementary aged classroom while the students are learning about birds. It is a perfect book to use in a discussion about all the different types of birds there are and why birds fly south for the winter.
February 13, 2009
I love each of Henkes new picture books even more than the one before. And all are treasures! This one perfectly captures the wonder of birds, the quiet feelings and thoughts even the youngest bird-watcher and naturalist will feel at observing a bird, either in flight or in repose. My toddler reads it with enthusiasm, counting the birds, pointing out their colors, repeating the word, 'bird', over and over again. For me, the adult reader peering in, it crystallizes those moments when a glimpse of a bird outside my window prompted me to stop and pause and look.
March 13, 2009
Extremely sophisticated primitive/child-like art offers deceptively representational images of birds, each page or so accompanied by either a simple statement of fact, a sharp observation or a poetic thought about birds.
I rarely get to the end of a piture book and find myself saying "Aww" out loud before I can stop myself, but I did with this book.
(Sadly, I was unable to find it in Virtua on account of my not being a very good library assistant 1, so I borrowed it from CML and gave THEM my circ. Sorry UAPL youth department!)
I rarely get to the end of a piture book and find myself saying "Aww" out loud before I can stop myself, but I did with this book.
(Sadly, I was unable to find it in Virtua on account of my not being a very good library assistant 1, so I borrowed it from CML and gave THEM my circ. Sorry UAPL youth department!)
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