As a bookseller, I (sometimes) notice trends in children’s books, and this year it has seemed to me that there have been a LOT of birding books. (This is not just in kids books; we have a TON of bird books for adults too!) I don’t know if it was the pandemic that made everyone interested in birds and birding, or if it’s just a fad whose time has come, but let’s embrace it! Here are (some of) the bird books that have been nominated this year.
Odd Birds: Meet Nature’s Weirdest Flock
by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Gareth Lucas
Harry N Abrams
“I can’t get over the gorgeous illustrations and incredible color combos in Odd Beasts & Birds.” – Sam Richardson
The Last Rainbow Bird
by Nora Brech, Illustrated Polly Lawson
Floris Books
“The illustrations are stunning, and the story may spark a love in children to save rare species.” – Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
A Parliament of Owls
by Devin Scillian, Illustrated by Sam Caldwell
Sleeping Bear Press
Knight Owl
by Christopher Denise
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
“What a fun book! Owls are one of my favorite animals and I love the character Christopher Denise created in Owl. The illustrations are detailed and the color palette perfectly suits the story. I love all the yellow tones through the book’s illustrations. ” – Bridget Wilson
Whose Nest Is Best?: A Lift-the-Flap Book
by Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Gareth Lucas
Little Simon
I Really Want to Be First!: A Really Bird Story
by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Travis Foster
Red Comet Press
Leave It to Plum!
by Matt Phelan
Greenwillow Books
“Phelan has presented readers with a light, fun read with themes of friendship, goodness, and kindness shining through nicely.” – Heidi G.
A Raven Named Grip: How a Bird Inspired Two Famous Writers, Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe
by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
Rocky Pond Books
“This book has been presented to me as a non-fiction book, and technically that is true. It does contain a little additional information about ravens in some back matter, but I think it’s more a niche biography of Dickens and Poe, literary figures. I can see young readers of fiction enjoying this story, or readers who love Ravens might be motivated to read something by Dickens and Poe after learning about a bird’s connection to these writers–one English and one American.” – Karen D. Austin.
Dig, Dance, Dive: How Birds Move to Survive
by Etta Kaner, illustrated by June Steube
Owlkids Books
“This is a fun book that has great appeal for young readers. I can easily imagine parents, teachers, and librarians reading this book to children ages 4 to 7 and independent readers aged 7 to 9 enjoying the words and the illustrations.” – Karen D. Austin.
Harriet’s Ruffled Feathers: The Woman Who Saved Millions of Birds
by Joy McCullough, illustrated by Romina Galotta
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
“This is kid-friendly and an interesting way to raise the question of animals/resources/endangered consequences from human behaviors and choices. It also raises the potential for discussion about fashion/peer practices that could have consequences we don’t instantly see.” – Sandy Brehl
Duet: Our Journey in Song with the Northern Mockingbird
by Phillip Hoose
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
“Short but thorough text with excellent organization and readability make this a strong recommendation for anyone, but especially for those who are also fans of birds.” – Sandy Brehl
Where Have All the Birds Gone?: Nature in Crisis
by Rebecca E. Hirsch
Twenty First Century Books
“This book has several first-hand accounts that help the reader visualize the gravity of this problem. These meaningful stories are paired with data and facts that drive home the importance of conservation efforts for bird populations. This is an issue worth taking time to understand and taking action to rectify. ” – Mary Duffy
The Snowy Owl Scientist
by Mark Wilson
Clarion Books
” I would be less-likely to recommend this to those really interested in learning about snowy owls, but more for those interested in careers of hobbies of actually studying them and understanding the experiences and equipment that goes into their on-site observation.” – TheBrookeList
Alaska is for the Birds!: Fourteen Favorite Feathered Friends
by Susan Ewing, illustrated by Evon Zerbetz
Alaska Northwest Books
“Playfully told in quick, witty verses and illustrated with gorgeously colored linocut art, Alaska is for the Birds! features 14 feathered friends found across Alaska. Willow Ptarmigan, Belted Kingfisher, Tufted Puffin, Bald Eagle—these are only a few of the incredible birds found in the cold wilds of Alaska.” – Anne@HeadFullofBooks
If This Bird Had Pockets: A Poem in Your Pocket Day Celebration
by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, illustrated by Emma J. Virján
Wordsong
“Playfully told in quick, witty verses and illustrated with gorgeously colored linocut art, Alaska is for the Birds! features 14 feathered friends found across Alaska. Willow Ptarmigan, Belted Kingfisher, Tufted Puffin, Bald Eagle—these are only a few of the incredible birds found in the cold wilds of Alaska.” – Bridget Wilsons
A Bird Will Soar
by Alison Green Myers
Dutton Books for Young Readers
Autumn Bird and the Runaway
by Melanie Florence and Richard Scrimger
Scholastic Canada
Black Bird, Blue Road
by Sofiya Pasternack
Versify
Every Bird a Prince
by Jenn Reese
Henry Holt & Co.
“This is a satisfying adventure with cute and spirited birds and terrifying monsters, blended perfectly with the ever-present friendship struggles of middle school, as romance becomes more of an issue.” – Katy K
Hummingbird
by Natalie Lloyd
Scholastic