What Bluebirds Do
Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 4—Brilliantly sharp, close-up photos portray one season in the life of a pair of Eastern Bluebirds and their babies. The striking cover of a male in midair bringing a worm to his mate is irresistible, and the inside photos are equally engaging. Five luminous blue eggs in the nest are followed by chicks with shockingly yellow and enormous mouths. One photo of a newborn bird in a human hand is both thrilling and disturbing, and readers will be anxious about its safety. The text is simple and clear. Read aloud, it sounds like the voice of a kindly and knowledgeable older friend, and it is easy enough for a strong beginner to read independently. Kirby identifies other blue birds found in North America as well as the three species of Bluebirds found in the U.S. Back matter includes information about attracting and supporting Bluebirds. Kirby, photographing from a blind in her own backyard, has done for the Bluebird what Nic Bishop did forThe Red-Eyed Tree Frog(Scholastic, 1999). Pair the two to inspire young naturalists and photographers.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.