RSPB Nature Guide: Birds

By Author / Illustrator

Catherine Brereton, Kate McLelland

Genre

Non Fiction

Age range(s)

Publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

ISBN

9781526602817

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

02-04-2020

Synopsis

Do you know that cormorants are expert fishers? They swim along the water and then quickly dive to catch their prey! Or that great crested grebes fluff up their feathers and break out into a dance to attract their mates?From the easy-to-spot, year-round tufted duck to the summer visitor and cackling fulmar, get ready to find out about 137 different birds. There are so many feathered friends to meet in this first book in the Nature Guide series, published in collaboration with the RSPB, the largest wildlife conservation charity in Europe. You will learn where to find birds, what different bird habitats look like and which birds to look out for throughout different seasons. Including our favourite birds, such as the goldfinch, robin, blue tit, blackbird and even owl, as well as some less common visitors we might not know of, each page contains information boxes about each bird.Includes information on how to make your green space more bird friendly; activities to try like making your own bird cake and a checklist so you can tick off every bird you spot!With beautiful illustrations by Kate McLelland throughout, this is the perfect contemporary pocket guide for young birdwatchers in-the-making and adult nature enthusiasts alike.

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Reviews

Nature Guide: Birds, supported by the RSPB, is a handy guide to the birds that live in Britain. Author Catherine Brereton takes the reader though the necessities for birdwatching before introducing over 135 different birds.

The how-to section covers where and when to birdwatch, alongside clear safety tips for children and families. The 'what to look out for' section is particularly useful and helps guide children into creating their own field journal.

The nature guide section is set out clearly and in a methodical way. Each double page spread presents one of two type of bird using the same format: a fact box containing measurements, seasons, habitat and bird song to name a few. Each bird is clearly illustrated and a written description sits alongside the picture. These short paragraphs give the reader an insight into the bird and allows for a good comparison. The guide is not organised alphabetically but by habitat. There is a clear index and checklist at the back for easy searching.

Kate McLelland has created gorgeous illustrations of each bird to accompany the facts and information. The textures and design of each page bring the habitats to life and would be an excellent starting point for some art.

This is a super book, small enough to be carried in a backpack on a countryside walk or to be left by a window to a garden. Covering a wide range of habitats and birds, even the youngest birdwatcher will find something for them. Beautiful design allows the information to shine and the birds easy to find. Key Stage 1 and 2 children will enjoy this book greatly and it would make an excellent addition to any classroom library.

128 pages / Ages 6+ / Reviewed by Bryony Davies, teacher