Part of the Discover More series, Birds uses breathtaking photographs and simple text to bring readers up close to a great number of birds, some of which they might not otherwise get to see.
Children will spy feathered familiar friends such as the great horned owl among the more exotic, such as the secretary bird, with head feathers that stick out like rays of sun. Authors Penelope Arlon and Tory Gordon-Harris explain the functions of different kinds of feathers (to fly, to change course, to keep birds warm) as well as the hollow bones that keep their bodies light. A comical photo of an ostrich that looks like it's pouting illustrates a two-page spread entitled "We can't fly!" (along with a kiwi, cassowary and penguins, among others); another spread depicts what they can do, better than humans ("Super senses"), such as the keen hearing of an owl and a kingfisher's ability to see underwater. A blue-footed booby serves as "poster child" for the section "Fantastic feet," and a blue tit bird demonstrates a bird's life cycle. Trivia collectors will appreciate the final two-page spread, with "Record breakers" from "weirdest beak" (the sword-billed hummingbird with a beak longer than its body) to "stinkiest bird" (the hoatzin, which "smells like cow poop").
A glossary and index plus a free online guide to bird-watching round out this nature experience for young birders. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness