Product Description

Renowned naturalist and author of children's books on wildlife successfully blends information and entertainment in his book about birds, among them saucy Jenny Wren, Redwing the Blackbird, Melody the Wood Thrush, Spooky the Screech Owl, Creaker the Purple Grackle, Downy the Woodpecker, and other feathered friends. 32 black-and-white illustrations. Learn all about birds' physical appearance, eating and nesting habits, migration patterns, songs and call.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31278 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Customer Reviews

A sure fire way to get your children interested in birds!!
I have been fascinated with birds since I was young. I have 5 children and wanted to pass on this love. They were only slightly interested until I read this book to them. The intermingling of story and fact is just enough to keep even my young ones interested.

Peter Rabbit is the main character. He goes around to the various habitats discovering the different birds. He wants especially to know where the nest is, and how many young they have. Jenny Wren is also a main character. She is little Miss-Know-it-All. The fact that she is characterized as somewhat "snooty" helped my kids remember that a good identifier to wrens is their upturned tails.

Recently on a bird hike we spotted a cow bird. Our instructor began to explain the cowbirds nesting habits. My children were able to help explain as they had remembered it from The Burgess Bird Book for Children. As an avid birder and a Mom that was a great thrill. A lesson learned and all from a simple story.

I recommed taking your time reading this to your children. A chapter here and there. We've been reading ours for over a year as time allows and as interests peak....especially in fall and spring as more birds migrate. I also recommend giving the kids an identifier book as you read. As soon as the name of the bird is revealed in each chapter the kids race to see who can find the bird first.

Especially recommended as a read-aloud tool for parents
Thornton Burgess' stories 'interview' typical birds for kids, using these interviews to teach the basics on different common birds' appearances, behavior, eating and songs. His classic appeared in 1919 to much acclaim, and Dover's economy-minded paperwork reprint offers new generations the same introduction. The Burgess Bird Book For Children is especially recommended as a read-aloud tool for parents.

Full of good information, but a bit dated
I bought this book as a gift for a neighbor child who enjoys watching birds at the feeder between our houses. When it arrived from Amazon, I skimmed through it, and had mixed feelings. The stories are wonderful to read as an adult but seem a bit dated, and, while still an enjoyable read, may be less than engaging for many children. The illustrations are fairly interpretive and rendered in black and white, so the book doesn't function as any kind of quick reference. But as a learning tool for increasing a child's acquaintance with familiar backyard birds, it's very good. Paired with a good quick-reference field guide or chart, this could make for many happy hours of satisfied bird-watching.