Showing posts with label observation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label observation. Show all posts

Monday, October 16, 2023

Synergy: Celebrating Birds



BIRDS are warm-blooded vertebrate covered with feathers. They have two wings, two legs, a beak, and no teeth. The young hatch from hard-shelled eggs. People who enjoy observing birds are called birders or bird watchers.


To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:


LISTEN TO THE BIRDS written by Yoann Gueny, Donald Kroodsma, and Léna Mazilu takes readers on birding adventures in a variety of habitats across North America. Children are introduced to each bird, its call, and interesting facts. Colorful illustrations bring each bird to life. The book concludes with a glossary, notes about birdsong, and additional resources. Readers are encouraged to download the Birdie Memory app to extend the experience. ARC courtesy of Norton Young Readers, an imprint of W.W. Norton.


HOW TO BIRD by Rasha Hamid is an attractive picture book sharing the world of birding with young children. Readers learn about the tools and activities of birders. Children are encouraged to listen for common bird calls, watch for birds, record observations, and celebrate success. The book concludes with useful additional information for young birders.  ARC courtesy of Free Spirit Publishing.


HOW TO LOOK AT A BIRD: OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE JOY OF WATCHING AND KNOWING BIRDS by Clare Walker Leslie encourages readers to observe birds, look for specific features, and enjoy bird watching. Although written for a general audience, this beginning guide is highly visual approach and useful for all ages. The observation prompts and emphasis on commonly seen birds  are particularly useful for youth readers. ARC courtesy of Storey Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Group.

Monday, June 20, 2022

Synergy: Observing Nature


Observing nature is the act of going outdoors and exploring the natural world. By using our senses and paying attention to details and patterns, observers are able to gather a wide range of information.


Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:


THE SECRET SIGNS OF NATURE written by Craig Caudill and illustrated by Carrie Shryock explores hidden clues that help children understand the sky, water, plants, animals, and weather. Readers follow two young navigators as they explore forests, oceans, and meadows. Children learn observation skills while exploring nature and developing life and science skills. Each engaging, two-page spread explores a different location and element of nature observation. 


OBSERVING NATURE from PBS KIDS for Parents provides ideas for getting children outdoors playing in nature. The website includes nature crafts and activities along with activities and games for families.


To visit the website, go to https://www.pbs.org/parents/observing-nature .


ARC courtesy of Magic Cat Publishing, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Book & App Review: Noisy Sing-along Collection

The NOISY SING-ALONG collection by John Himmelman is a wonderful way to connect children with science and nature. Available as both print books, e-books, and apps, you’ll want to get all three for your library.
Designed for pre-K through grade 3, NOISY BIRD SING-ALONG is the latest addition in this nature awareness series. The print book and e-book includes large, colorful illustrations of robins, sparrows, owls, mallards, and more. Colorful text is used to introduce the sound of each bird. In addition to information about the bird and sound, the habits and habitat of each bird is described.
This easy concept book would be an effective way to introduce young children to informational reading. In addition, the text is easy enough for primary grade readers to enjoy independently. The Fun Facts and Things to Do pages are useful for older children, teachers, and parents.
In addition to the print version, an app version is available for NOISY BUG SING-ALONG and NOISY FROG SING-ALONG. One advantage to the app is that children can hear the sounds. App designer Malachi Bazan successfully adapted the print books to the app environment. Users have two easy-to-use options for reading: Read to Me and Read to Myself. The Read to Me option highlights each word as it’s read by an engaging narrator. Clicking on the illustrations generates simple animation. A matching game builds in the facts found at the end of the print version of the book and actively involves readers with the sounds.
Active listening is an important skill. Getting children involved with identifying creature sounds is an excellent way to develop observational skills using the auditory channel. This book series would be an outstanding addition to an elementary school library collection.
To learn more about bird sounds, explore Songs & Calls athttp://www.allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=1059. Their free bird guide contains hundreds of sounds to explore. Go tohttp://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/search.aspx.
The Noisy Sing-Along collection is published by Dawn Publications