Bird count

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Bird count

Title:

Bird count

Author:

Edwards Richmond, Susan, author.

Coleman, Stephanie Fizer, illustrator.

Summary:

An excited young girl and her mother carefully participate in the Christmas Bird Count as part of a team of citizen scientists, tallying birds found in different habitats near their home. Includes facts about birding and why the Christmas Bird Count is important.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

36 unnumbered pages : color illustrations ; 25 x 28 cm

Genre:

Picture books.

Subject Term:

Birds -- Juvenile fiction.

Scientists -- Juvenile fiction.

Counting -- Juvenile fiction.

Author(s):

Coleman, Stephanie Fizer,

Publisher:

Peachtree Publishing Company Inc.,

Publication Date:

2019

ISBN:

9781561459544

Publication Information:

Atlanta : Peachtree Publishing Company Inc., [2019]

Call Number:

P EDWARDS

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003377671	Picture Books	EDWARDS	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

The National Audubon Society's annual Christmas Bird Count stars in this charming picture book, just right for young community scientists, bird watchers, and nature aficionados.

A young girl and her mother participate as community scientists in the Christmas Bird Count. The girl is excited when Big Al, the leader of their team, asks her to record the tally this year. Using her most important tools―her eyes and ears―she eagerly identifies and counts the birds they observe on their assigned route around town. She and her team follow the rules, noting the time of day, the habitat, the birding ID techniques used for each sighting.

Finally, they meet up with the other teams in the area to combine their totals for a Christmas Bird Count party and share stories about their observations. Sidebars tally up the birds they observe and record. This book introduces young readers to birdwatching with simple explanations of birdwatching techniques and clear descriptions of bird habitats.

Stephanie Fizer Coleman's charming illustrations add color and context to a joyful story that's sure to inspire the nature lover in everyone.

Back matter includes more information about all the birds featured in the book and about the Christmas Bird Count, the nation's longest-running community science bird project.

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens
Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award
Mathical Honor Award
International Literacy Association Primary Fiction Award

Author Notes

Susan Edwards Richmond teaches preschool on a farm and wildlife sanctuary in eastern Massachusetts. She earned her M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of California, Davis, and is the author of five collections of nature-based poetry for adults and has published several picture books. She is happiest exploring natural habitats with her husband and two daughters, and learns the native birds wherever she travels. She lives in Massachusetts.

Stephanie Fizer Coleman is an illustrator and freelance designer. She loves drawing animals and has created the art for many children's books. For her 100 Days project in 2018, she drew one hundred birds, one day at a time. She lives in West Virginia with her husband and dogs.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 3--5--Ava and her mother help with the annual Christmas Bird Count every year, where they join forces with other members of their community to note the birds they see in and around their neighborhood. This year is special: Ava gets to be in charge of keeping track of the birds they see and hear. The data they collect will help scientists understand patterns in the lives of the many birds in the world. Along with their team captain, Big Al, the three embark on a journey of identification and study that culminates in a celebration with other teams in their count circle. Soft, detailed illustrations bring the winter world to life, depict many bird species, and capture the sounds and feelings of a chilly winter day. Readers will love searching for birds along with Ava and her companions. A running tally at the far right side of the pages helps readers keep track of the birds they have seen. VERDICT This book introduces elementary school readers to the world of birds and citizen science in an accessible, welcoming way.--Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver Public Library

Publisher's Weekly Review

This picture book, informed by the author's own decades of experience as a birder, follows Ava, her mother, and Big Al, the leader of their Christmas Bird Count team, as they travel around town recording the birds they see and hear for the annual winter census. A notebook sidebar itemizing Ava's tallies is a welcome design element, allowing curious readers to keep track of the birds alongside the trio of citizen scientists. Back matter provides further details on the species featured, the importance of the Christmas Bird Count, and information on how to join one of the National Audubon Society's count circles. While a bit hefty as a readaloud ("I saw one two years ago, but not last year"), younger readers may enjoy counting the birds in Coleman's textured digital illustrations, which portray humans and birds in a friendly style. An instructive and attractive picture book for aspiring ornithologists and young nature aficionados. Ages 4--8. (Oct.)