The most important bird books may not be the latest and greatest field guides, or the bird-finding guide to that birding mecca you’ve always wanted to visit. It may very well be books for kids. They can be instrumental in imparting a life-long love for the natural world. They were for me.
However, since I don’t have kids, I haven’t had much cause to look into them. But a fellow Georgian birder, Dan Vickers, has. He has graciously allowed me to reprint an article that he wrote for the newsletter of the Georgia Ornithological Society. Here’s his list:
Children Ages 2-5
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Good-Night, Owl!
Pat Hutchins
1990, 32 pages, ColorThis is one of the all-time favorite children’s books. All poor Owl wants to do is sleep, but he keeps being awakened by the other noisy occupants of the forest.
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Owl Babies
Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson
2002, 32 pages, ColorWonderful illustrations showcase this story of three owlets awaiting their mother’s return from her night’s hunt.
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Make Way for Ducklings
Robert McCloskey
1941, 68 pages, ColorThis classic story of a mother’s devotion has fascinated children for generations. McCloskey received the Caldecott award for his illustrations.
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Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Mo Willems
2003, 40 pages, ColorKids love this wonderful tale of a pigeon trying to convince a busload of people (and the reader) to let him drive the bus after the driver steps off for a break.
Children Ages 4-8
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The Burgess Bird Book for Children
Thornton W Burgess
2003, 272 pages, Black and WhiteA creative story about the feathered friends such as Jenny Wren, Redwing the Blackbird, Melody the Wood Thrush, Spooky the Screech Owl, Creaker the Purple Grackle, and Downy the Woodpecker.
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Song for the Whooping Crane
Eileen Spinelli and Elsa Warnick
2000, 48 pages, ColorVisually and poetically captivating, this ode to the most celebrated endangered species of our time will stir an environmental awareness in any child.
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Birds, Nests, & Eggs
Mel Boring
1998, 48 pages, ColorID tips on 15 birds and the homes they build. This book contains a series of activities, 7 pages for notes or scrapbooking, and numerous safety tips.
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Owls
Adrienne Mason
2004, 32 pages, ColorEasy-to-read with plenty of detailed descriptions of the owls and how they live, eat, and hunt.
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About Birds: A Guide for Children
Cathryn Sill
1997, 40 pages, ColorVarious North American species are illustrated in this beginner’s guide to birds. Lots of basic information is followed by an afterward which lists more detailed life histories.
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Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists)
Jonathan Latimer, Karen Stray Nolting, and Roger Tory Peterson
1999, 48 pages, ColorA first field guide for your young birder, it describes 20 common birds as only a Peterson Field Guide could.
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Beginning Birdwatcher’s Book: With 48 Stickers
Sy Barlowe
2000, 32 pages, ColorKids can record sightings of 48 common North American birds, with sticker images, and notes on location, date and any remarks.
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Bird Log: A Kids Journal to Record Their Birding Experiences
Deanna Bryant
1998, 80 pagesThis is a log book for children to record their sightings. It provides observation questions to help fill in the information.
Children Ages 9-12
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The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of Eastern North America (Peterson Field Guides)
Bill Thompson, III and illustrated by Julie Zickfoose
2008, 256 pages, Color, PaperbackThis new Peterson Field Guide, written just for kids, gives detailed descriptions and vivid illustrations of 200 birds in Eastern North America.
There were many other books that could have been included here, some unfortunately out-of-print, so check out Amazon.com, or better yet, visit your local library. Of course, there are plenty of other nature studies, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, or butterflies to give your child a well-rounded appreciation of nature.
Thanks, Dan!
September 16th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I am looking for a book, “How the Willow Wren Became King”. By schuman I think.
The little bird hid in the wings of the big eagle and won the race.
September 16th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Looking for “How the Willow Wren Became King:
September 17th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Hey Leta,
Amazon has a couple of entries for a book of that name. The author they give is Uta Glauben.
They have a few used copies for sale.
Hope that helps!
February 14th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
The children’s book “My Best Nest: A Purple Martin Story” has been donated to 20 libraries in Georgia with the hope that more people will discover the wonderful Purple Martin. Please encourage librarians to invite their local Purple Martin landlords to come to storytime at the library or school to tell the children about Purple Martins.
The book’s website is http://www.purplemartinstory.org
The kid’s activities section will continue to be edited and grow throughout the year.
Teachers may wish to map the return of the martins to North America by visiting http://www.Purplemartin.org for “martin scout” sightings.