Birds Books

I'll be hunting turkey for the first time this spring and found this book full of useful ideas and strategies. Interesting and informative, it retained my interest like a good novel.

I liked this book on many different levels. The main reason was that it was easy to read and it flowed well. I do not read fast but still read it in five days. I loved the way he shares his experience through a story line. You can almost visualize the setup of the gobbler he is hunting. I feel as a novice turkey hunter that the things I picked up from this book will help me on the hunt. Even as I improve and learn I do not feel I will outgrow the entertainment value of this book. I will pick this book back up in a year and read it right before the season again without hesitation. Great Writer. Great Read.

I enjoyed reading this book because it taught me some lessons for hunting the wild turkey and it was entertaining. Mr Robinson gave some pointers on hunting the bird as well as telling some entertaining stories. I like to learn this way. Rather than have someone tell me how to do things I like it when the lesson is demonstrated in an actual hunt. I would recommend this book for these reasons.

I love this book, and anyone interested in birds, history, and/or art is bound to love it, too.

John J. Audubon's Guide; Birds of the Northeast pairs a selection of the familiar, classic Audubon images with his descriptions of the birds as he observed them in the early 19th century. Audubon's writing style is poetic and vivid, and if you are familiar mainly with his images, this book is a very accessible way to introduce yourself to his writing.

Ron Tyler's essay on Audubon's work makes for enjoyable reading, too. And, finally, the book is handsomely designed and handily sized.

This is the first in a series of four books, delineated by region, that will present the text and octavo images of Audubon's birds. The 34-page introductory biography by Dr. Ron Tyler is worth the purchase price by itself. Even advanced birdwatchers will learn something from Audubon's descriptions that have been expertly edited by Julien Taverner. I have been researching and writing about Audubon for fifteen years and even I found some new references in the excellent and exhaustive biography. If he were alive today, this is the way Audubon would have done it. Great gift idea for birders, print collectors, and history buffs.

This book is a real addition to any birder's library. Combining John Audubon's well known and beautiful images of birds drawn in the 1830's with his lovely descriptions. The book has a good biography of Audubon as well as the pictures and Audubon's notes. You can really hear Audubon's love of birds and nature in his writing. I liked the fact that it was styled like a
guide from the 19th century. It is beautifully illustrated.

After finding a baby owl in the park, Julie and Ivy give it to a local wildlife rescue center. There, Julie meets Robin Young, a graduate student at Berkeley, and four beautiful eagles: Shasta, Sierra, and their two eaglets. Shasta has an injured wing and cannot be released back into the wild until he recuperates, but if the center doesn't raise enough money soon, the eagles will become too dependent upon their human caretakers to ever be released.

Though Julie enjoys hanging out with Robin and helping feed the baby eagles, she wants to do something more. After her teacher brings up Earth Day, Julie eagerly tells her class all about her feathered friends. Before she knows it, Project SAVE - Save All Vanishing Eagles - has taken flight. On Earth Day, she and her classmates set up booths at Golden Gate Park to help raise awareness and money for the center and for the eagles. The event is a huge success, but they still don't make enough money to create a new habitat for the eagles. Some more quick thinking and unexpected visitors help them make their goal - just in time for Julie's tenth birthday.

This is the fourth American Girls book about Julie Albright, written by Megan McDonald and illustrated beautifully by Robert Hunt. (Look at the detail on the characters' clothing and check out the wingspan of those eagles!) This story will teach young readers about eagles, Earth Day, conservation, and endangered species, and it will definitely inspire readers to take a look at the world around them and get active in their schools and communities. Let's celebrate Earth Day every day!

In a world of broken-down, drug-addicted teen stars and pop princesses with tarnished crowns, it is refreshing to read a book about a young girl with strong moral fortitude and solid goals.

Julie Albright, the latest American Girl, is a ten year old girl living in 1970s San Francisco. In the first book, Meet Julie, we learn that her parents have recently divorced, forcing Julie and her sister to move away from their friends, father, and family home. We also learn that Julie is a quietly determined girl who cares deeply about those near to her and the issues that are dear to her.

In Julie and the Eagles, Julie and her best friend, Ivy Ling find a baby owl in a local park and learn that the choices America has made to modernize and advance themselves technologically have had big effects on the environment. Soon, Julie hatches a plan to help save two eagles and their hatchling.

Why I love Julie and the Eagles:
This book tells the story of a compassionate, intelligent young girl living in a time of great change, yet it never preaches or attempts to make the reader feel guilty. I love that American Girl seems to be committed to addressing the concerns of young women living in the world today by giving them identifiable characters who are faced with similar challenges. It's not enough to tell a young girl that she should have goals and stay out of trouble. I love that American Girl, with these Julie books, actually shows girls how they can stay out of trouble by caring about something greater than themselves. In a world of sad, broken-down Britney's and troubled, unlovely Lyndsey's, it's nice to have a Julie to introduce my daughter to!

This is the fourth book in the 'Julie' series from American Girl. I am an adult who works at AG, but that doesn't influence my opinions on the books. It just makes it easy for me to read them. I thought this book, in particular, was great. I was born two years after the fictional character Julie, so my experiences are very similar to hers. I loved the 70's references in the book and thought they were very accurate. The author does a great job of slipping educational bits into all the 'Julie' books and they're still very entertaining.
This book focuses on environmental awareness. Julie finds an abandoned, sick owl in the park, and when she takes it to an animal rescue facility, she meets two eagles, Shasta and Sierra, and their baby. Shasta is recovering from an injured wing. She learns that if the eagles are not released into the wild soon, they won't ever be able to go back and will have to live in a zoo. The problem is, the center doesn't have the money needed to accomplish an eagle release. Julie gets her family and class involved and starts a fund-raiser to save the eagles.
At the end of each book in the series, there is a section telling real events that happened during the time the book takes place. This one has nice information about how new laws were passed in the 70's banning DDT and how laws were put in place to make sure animal habitats wouldn't be disturbed before new building takes place.
This is a great book for children 7 and up. I recommend the whole series.

..and now is time to get a revised version.

I grew up using this excellent reference and study guide. It is technically accurate and can be taken to the field. The color drawings are usefull.

I can't wait to see that was revised.. 25 years later.

The book is well detailed in the birds description. You can use it as a reference when doing reseach in this field. The explanations are simple and very descriptive.

anything you need to know about birds of Puerto Rico is here.From their habitat,to their diet,even the colors and sizes of the eggs and the special traits they have from young to adults!It has pictures and it is a really great book that every bird lover should have.

This is a great read and it makes the reader REALLY think about terrorism, 'shutting the stable door ....' as John Macmillan head of Sci-Med says. This is another in the Steven Dunbar series and I was unable to put it down. I am always amazed by Ken McClures foresight only weeks after this was published we had the incident at Pirbright. The prologue is enough to make your hair stand on end.!

Another cracking read from Ken McClure, the master of the medical genre. I read Robin Cook's "Critical" recently and was left disappointed, but "The Lazarus Strain" is the usual fast read that's typical with McClure. I read that Ken McClure is to the medical world what John Grisham is to the law. Ha! ... well there were no lawyers here but plenty of doctors.
In the prologue, McClure sets out the terrifying possibilities of a repeat of the flu pandemic of 1918 that swept the world and killed 40 million. Move that on to now, with avian flu (so called bird flu) and a "breakout" from a secure lab facility. Mix in a plan to use the virus as a weapon and you have the cocktail of another medical action thriller with Dr Steven Dunbar!
If you like medical thrillers, I'd definitely recommend this bird flu thriller.

Ken McClure was brought to my attention and am I glad - It will not be my last read of his - McClure's Prologue to The Lazarus Strain sets us on edge by reminding us the last flu pandemic in 1918 had more victims than 'in the Great War itself and more than died of bubonic plague'...
millions and millions of victims.
The scary part of this book is the reality of the threat of another pandemic - another wave of influenza we will have little power to fight.
While some deny the possibility, there are persistent news articles stating the countries are bracing for an onslaught...
A top research institute, the Crick, has been broken into and a top scientist killed - Even worse, monkeys who have been used for experimentation have escaped...and they are attacking...
Enter the dashing Dr. Steven Dunbar, who works for the Sci-Med Inspectorate - it is an elite organization that investigates medical emergencies - the James Bond of doctors...
Dr. Dunbar soon realizes this was not a random event, the target is to unleash a pandemic the likes civilization hadn't seen in 90 years. It is a race against time to unlock the mystery and save this chemical terrorism from happening.
It is a scary premise, and unfortunately, with the threat of terrorism always near, a frightening possibility.
It is an excellent book, and I look forward to reading more Ken McClure -

This is a delightful book! I live in the city, where it's easy to overlook the abundance of nature all around. The book helped me to appreciate what was there. Especially when I'm stressed out, this approach to nature journaling helps me unwind and relax in my own backyard absolutely free of charge!

Leaf Bird Days & Firefly Nights: Personal Renewal Through Nature Journaling by veteran nature writer Beverly Letchworth is an elegant, eloquent example of the spiritual tranquility and uplifting beauty that can be experienced through keeping a nature journal. The author's own words describing birds and animals evoke a gentle warmth and faith in the natural world. Appendixes offer ways to entice birds and creatures to visit one's backyard. Leaf Bird Days & Firefly Nights is a welcome, rewarding, and inspiring addition to any environmental activist, nature lover, or bird fancier's personal reading list.

In this book, author Beverly J. Letchworth takes you on a journaling trip through nature. Sharing with you helpful tips and things to observe, she keeps each page brimming with pelasure.

As in the March 8th entry, Leaf Bird. She brings to life the excitement of seeing a bird she thinks is a hawk. She spots the bird in a tree while doing other chores, and quickly reaches for her binoculars to verify the identification. She scrutinizes the tree limbs, then spots the object of her excitement. There it is. Quiet, still. A big clump of leaves!

And so it goes. The seasons change and grow. Winter tiptoes to spring, and summer twirls into a new winter. You journey with nature's surprises, joys and misfortunes. You learn ways to make your own nature journal, or add to the one you all ready keep.

Creating a haven for creatures, in you own backyard, is described with simple easy ideas and valuable information. Finding comfort and a way to relax after a hectic day is easier when you embrace nature. Leaf Bird Days & Firefly Nights will show you how.

This book is absolutely beautiful! I bought for next christmas as soon as I saw it. The illustrations are exquisite with different types of commentaries that are very interesting. Anyone who loves birds would love this book.

I first saw this book in Barnes and Noble and of course wrote it down and went home to order it from Amazon....I love birds but I am in no way a professional anything when it comes to birds-I just love to feed them in my backyard and see how many different kinds come everyday. This book is worth the price of admission for the beautiful artwork alone-not to mention the poetry and useful information about everything from binoculars to feeding the birds to what to plant in your yard to attract more birds.....but it is so much more than the usual books about backyard birds....If you love birds of any kind you will love this book!

There have been many books published over the years which have attempted to give an overview of what Birds ,Birdwatching and Birding is all about. Although many are pretty good;none do a better job of giving an idea of all that it entails;particularly for someone just getting interested or even if they have had a passing interest for years. It would also be of interest for someone who has been "Birdwatching "for many years.
There are so many forms that Birding takes,that only a book like this is able to get it across. Under the Editorial you get a pretty good idea of the subjects covered.You might wonder how so many topics can be covered in such a "little big book". The anser to that,is that the coverage is very brief;but in enough detail to get the ideas across.
I am what one might call an "Avid" Birder or Birdwatcher.It has been a deep interest to me for 20 years,I have seen nearly 600 birds (Species) in North America, 400 in Ontario alone. As I am somewhat of a Bibliophile (book lover)as well;over that time I have accumulated over 1000 books on Birds and related Natural History. You might wonder how there could be so many.Well,as you glance through this book you will see many names and the mention of many books .I have books about,or by and most of these people and subjects.
I mention this ,because if someone were to ask me to suggest one book ,written in a simple way,that tells all about "birds and birdwatching";this would be ,without any hesitation ,the one book I would recommend.
This book is one that I would tend to call "An edited Book" .Generally speaking,I am not too impressed with them ,for the simple reason many are simply a gathering up of a bunch of "stuff" by one person or a group,packaged up,and published. I don't know how this book was put together; I see the Editor ,Natasha Tabori Fried has edited many others. The thing that really gives this book endorsement and credibility is that the introduction is written by Kenn Kaufman,one of the best known ,experienced,and respected persons in Birding in North America.
While this book covers many aspects of birding;I have to point out that there is one major area that has not been touched on.
Birding ,to a large extent,is a thing where the participation of people with one another is a major element. Although there are some who pursue Birding on their own; by and large, most participate with others. Clubs and organizations abound,membership fees are extremely small,and it is in these clubs that one easily makes friends and share their knowledge and/or enthusiasm with each other.These clubs have excellent meetings and arrange field trips to find and study the various aspects of birds.These clubs consist of beginners and all the way through to experts;with all accepeted as equals.All one has to do is show an interest.A large part of the enjoyment one derives from birding is the time you will spend with other birders. I must point out that Birding ,unlike a spectator sport ,where one sees the people that are associated with it,from afar;the stands,the balcony,TV,etc. With birding you can easily meet the well known and experienced birders in your area;all you have to do is "show an interest".
So,if after reading this book you want to pursue any aspect of Birding,and don't know where to start;search out someone who is a birder,look for a bird or Naure club in your area;you will be given a warm welcome. If there is any one thing that Birders love to do it is to share their interests with others. In no time, you will make all kinds of new friends.
Personally,I heard about a Nature Walk for birds, and decided to "tag along" .On that first morning,I met many birders,saw 74 bird species,and what a wonderful group of people I've met over the years; and what a wonderful bunch of trips ,both locally and further away I've enjoyed.

Good Birding!

I read this book with my daughter and she loved the pictures and the story of the little girl and the bird that she found. We also have a toddler that is trying to walk so our 4 year old was able to relate how the bird was trying to fly with her little sister trying to walk. Not only was this a good story, but it started some good conversation pieces with my daughter. We enjoyed it so much that we have bought some copies for our friends with little children.

Meghan Fife's book is a children's picture book but is truly for all ages, as it teaches an important lesson about responsibility and compassion for even the smallest of creatures. Children identify with the bond between Little Bird and Mother Bird, and the determination of Little Bird who wants to fly and the little girl who wants to help him. All people can relate to this book, as life is an adventure with obstacles along the way. What matters is that we don't give up, but keep trying and moving forward.

I think children will have empathy for Little Bird - to be so tiny in such a big world. It's a great story that illustrates compassion and doing the right thing. My toddler loves the story. Bravo Ms. Fife!

Reviewed by Samuel Peralta (age 6) for Reader Views (1/08)

This story is about Red Rhupert. In the story, he wonders why he is the only red rhupert around. He wants to be like the other rhuperts that are yellow, blue, pink, green, and lavender. He feels sad because he is different. One day Red Rhupert visits the Big Bon Red Flugurt and learns that his color is not important. He finds out that what counts is that he is a "rhupert." Even though his color is different, he is still a rhupert.

I liked the pictures in this story. I also like that Red Rhupert learns that it is okay to be different. The story reminded me that it doesn't matter what color you are, that everyone is a person-- and that is all that matters. I think this is a great book for kids. It will help them to remember that our skin color is not important.

Parent's Note: "Little Red Rhupert" is a wonderful book. It teaches a valuable lesson in a fun and imaginative manner. The colorful pictures keep the kids interested and the message is communicated in a light and casual manner. This book can be used as a tool to talk about race, color, and overall differences. Most importantly, it can be used to drive home the message that we are all human beings-- no matter what our skin color. The author gets a parents rating of five stars!

D. Arthur's Little Red Rhupert is a rollicking fun picturebook about a little red ostrich searching for where he belongs in the world. And the world is such a big place to search! Little Red Rhupert feels alone because he isn't the right hue - all the yellow, green, blue, and purple Rhuperts flock together to do their favorite things, like ride jellly bean cars. At last Little Red Rhupert finds wisdom from Big Bon Red Flugurt - what binds him to the other Rhuperts isn't his color, but that he is a Rhupert just like them! A zany story with an underlying moral about not placing too much importance upon surface distinctions.

This book has been wonderful to share with my little one. It is fun to read, beautifully illustrated, and carries a great message. If Rhupert captures your attention at the start of the book, by the end he will have captured your heart.

this book is both beautifully written and illustrated. Los trully captures New York and all of it's energy.

I had to buy two of these, one to cut out the pages to frame.

It's so refreshing to see a solid children's book about great artists. The illustration is really hip and colorful. I bought this book as a gift, but then got another copy for myself.