Simon & Schuster Children's Guide to Birds
Gr. 4^-7. This well-organized encyclopedia is just what the young researcher or browser needs to be introduced to the many kinds of birds populating the planet. Arranged by groups, such as seabirds, songbirds, and ground birds, the various sections describe some of the birds in a category and then focus on one bird from that group. The chapter on songbirds, for example, zeros in on crows, probably the most intelligent of all birds. For the most part, these are thumbnail sketches that include scientific name, size, habitat, and brief description. Most of the illustrations are color drawings, with a few color photographs sprinkled here and there. Female species are often described but are not as well represented in the illustrations as the more colorful males. From beaks to feathers, this is a well-written introduction for the beginner.Denia Hester