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Parents' Guide to

Birds

By Patricia Tauzer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 2+

Simple story, striking art make this picture book soar.

Book Kevin Henkes Picture Book 2009
Birds Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

Looking out her open window, a little girl watches the birds that roost in her cherry tree and others that fly through the sky, and her imagination soars. She is fascinated by how they look and sound, and though she realizes she cannot fly, she finds other ways to pretend she is one of them.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

The world of birds is magical, and this simple, elegant book definitely captures that magic in both language and artwork. With a few lines of text on each page, Henkes says what he wants to say in a clear, yet poetic way. And the pictures, painted in heavily outlined acrylics, do the same.

It would be hard not to pick up this book with its bold blue cover and brightly colored birds. Once you have it in your hands, you won't put it down. It's a beautiful book that will capture the imaginations of kids of all ages and let them fly.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the different birds and note their various colors and sizes. They can also talk about the ways birds move, and what they sound like. What do you think it would be like to fly? Can you sing the songs you hear the birds make? If birds made marks in the skies, what would the sky look like? Where do birds go when the storms come? Parents and kids can look for the different kinds of birds they see on their walks or rides, or look for them in the clouds as the author suggests.

Book Details

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