02/22/2016
Praise for Every Day Birds :
"[VanDerwater has] chosen birds preschoolers are likely to notice, birds they'll encounter outside their windows and in their yards--chickadees, cardinals, and sparrows--and birds they might see on trips to parks and beaches--hawks, herons, gulls.... Metrano's bold cut-paper illustrations show identifiable birds in appropriate poses against a clean, solid-color background, with just a hint of their likely habitat.... Beginning birding at its best, this pleasing presentation is ideal for families with preschoolers but would work well for storytime, too." -- Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Forest Has a Song by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater and illustrated by Robbin Gourley :
"Dip into this appealing collection for an introduction to early nature studies or poetry writing, or for generating some well-deserved enthusiasm for a stroll in the great outdoors." -- Booklist
"Children will understand this poetry as the quiet beauty of the forest is given a voice." -- Children's Literature
"Readers, too, may want to return to these explorations over and over." -- Kirkus Reviews
"The verses are approachable for readers and vivid for readaloud listeners, so this is a title with a broad spread of possible use. Even if there's no nearby forest, just have kids close their eyes, listen to the poetry, and imagine that there is." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Children see birds fly, hear them chatter and sing, see their beautiful colors, and can find them anywhere they go. However young children do not differentiate between the types of birds. Every Day Birds, which features twenty North American birds, makes a wonderful first “field guide” for young children. VanDerwater’s poetry is the perfect invitation for all children to learn about our winged friends and neighbors. Using a light and fluid voice, she introduces readers to a myriad of “everyday” birds: “Chickadee wears a wee black cap./Nuthatch perches upside-down./Woodpecker taps hollow trees./Pigeon lives in town.” Even if disinclined to read, children will be captivated by Metrano’s lively and distinctive illustrations. One bird, accompanied with its line from the poem, is illustrated on each page and is shown large enough—sometimes larger than life—to see its unmistakable characteristics: The Bluejay’s tuft, the Cardinal’s black mask, the Hummingbird’s long and slender beak. Metrano’s exquisite cut paper technique gives each illustration an almost stained-glass quality. At the back of the book, the poem is provided in full on a double-page spread. Additionally, VanDerwater provides more information on each bird, including diet, habitat, behavior, and most noticeable trait. For example: “Gulls are loud, and sometimes sound like they are laughing.” With its wonderful poetry, beautiful illustrations, and interesting facts, this book is an excellent addition to any home, school, or public library. Reviewer: Linda Sweitzer; Ages 3 to 6.
Children's Literature - Linda Sweitzer
02/01/2016
2015-11-03
