Birds Books

Years ago my mother read me Aesop's fable about a fox and a crane. The image of the stylized crane that graced the book has remained in my memory ever since.

Cranes became real for me a few years later on the Horicon Marsh in Wisconsin; and these birds continue to fascinate me wherever I am in the world. Aware of my interest, our local New Jersey Audubon alerted me to von Treuenfels' new translation. It's wonderful to hold and to savor.

But since B. Evans and D-H Fan have described the book so well, I'm content to add my voice to what is sure to be a growing chorus of praise. "Magic of Cranes" is a book that anyone with even a passing interest in these splendid creatures will want to own.

Coffee table or birder's study -- this book is worthy of serious consideration for either type of reader.

As D-HF's detailed review clearly establishes, everyone who reads von Treuenfels' opus will appreciate the depth and breadth of its information on all 15 species of these fascinating birds. The paragraphs that follow detail the last two sections of the book, which are equally excellent.

What enticed me to purchase THE MAGIC OF CRANES is the 35-page section entitled "Unique Among Birds as Icons of Art and Culture." Well-illustrated, it covers everything from archaelogists' discoveries of 4500-year-old crane images to Chinese, Japanese, old European masters and even Native American artists' depictions of cranes. The use of cranes in advertising is also noted, including as the logo of Lufthansa, which underwrote much of the cost of this book. And philatelists will appreciate the two pages of stamps dedicated to cranes. In addition to myths about cranes, also included in this section is a listing of major poets and novelists who have written about them as well as excerpts from some of their works.

The last section of the book begins by establishing that "protecting the cranes has far-reaching and positive effects on a wide variety of interdependent ecological communities that rely on water." One then learns how conservationists are working with farmers, electric companies and balloonists worldwide to accommodate cranes. Detailed as well are the stories of the two men who established the International Crane Foundation and the major role it has played in promoting international cooperation to ensure that these birds survive. One such venture, the use of colored bands and transmitters to gather information about them, is also explained. Six pages subsequently detail key visitor destinations throughout the world.

Finally, a note about the photographs-- In my original review, I had noted that "while the book is teeming with colored photographs, too many are of cranes in flight or from a distance and too few like the spectacular close-up on the book's cover." For relative newcomers to the world of cranes (which I am), the note I subsequently received from reviewer D-HF is instructive. "Not only is seeing so many photographs of real cranes in the wild exceptional," he wrote, "but no book that presents so much information about all 15 species has more arresting colored close-ups of each." Thus it was that I began to fully appreciate the book I had bought and now concur with D-HF's glowing review of it in its entirety.

For information about the International Crane Foundation, see the commentary.

Carl Albrecht von Treuenfels' "The Magic of Cranes" represents a life's work devoted to these majestic creatures. Like the cranes' own yearly migrations, von Treuenfels' travels in search of them have taken him literally many times around the globe, including to some of the most remote and dangerous areas of the world.

The opening section discusses the general behavior of cranes, with a multitude of the author's own photos, some quite fulsome full page spreads and a few quite spectacular double pages. One of my favorite extras is a full two-page color world map tracing the remarkable distances these large birds travel during their seasonal migrations.

The second section of the book is devoted to the fifteen different species, with each receiving a capacious discussion, filled with the sorts of close observation only possible through a lifetime's study.

The uniqueness of each crane comes across vividly through both the photos and text. Some of the many things I was especially struck by follow:
1) the silver grey Sarus cranes, the largest of all flying birds;
2) a photo capturing Hooded cranes packed together like Thanksgiving turkeys - (though thankfully not facing the same future!);
3) a description of the Demiselle crane, which began, "It's hard to believe the smallest of all cranes can be so loud! The whole sky seems to be filled with their trumpeting calls before we can even see the birds."

Each species' own troubles with survival and the conservation efforts in place are emphasized in full and enlightening detail. It's startling to learn how close several were to extinction within our lifetimes - and equally startling to discover how quickly some have bounced back. In the case of the famous Red-crowned cranes of Japan, for example, the birds actually were considered lost, only to miraculously be brought back starting in the early 1950's. By January, 2006 they numbered over 1,100.

The third section consists of a long chapter on the crane in art, with further fine reproductions showing artist's renderings and responses to these superb visual miracles of flight. As an art historian in training I found this section especially well done.

The fourth and final section discusses the emblematic role the crane plays in modern conservation.

"The Magic of Cranes" is a tremendous addition to the literature, and sure to please anyone who has seen and admired in the wild these graceful heavenly creatures. The translation from the original German reads fluently and well.

Lastly, at half price a wonderful bargain for this large copiously illustrated book.

If you have only one textbook about birds on your bookshelf, choose this one. The text is easy to understand, and the illustrations are remarkable. It is now available in a less expensive paperback version, also available at Amazon.com.

This book is excellent for ornithology students and backyard birders alike. It has many detailed illustrations of the skeletal, muscular, and other internal systems of birds in general. The text gives general information on each system and then more detail on specific parts. I especially like the sections at the end on binocular use and study skin preparation

This is a great overall look into the evolution and biology of birds. I'm using it as a prep for some ornithology and biology courses at university. The book goes through evolution, systematics, biology, physiology, etc. I highly reccomend it for anyone needing to do some brush up work, or as an introduction to many of the topics I've mentioned above. I think it should pretty much be a standard for anyone interested in birds...Hooray for this manual!

What a wonderful book! My family loves being outdoors and watching wildlife; and this book tells a lovely story about a little duckling on the river and all the other animals he is seeing his first time out on the river. The photography is gorgeous and educational. It's better than an artist's rendering because you're seeing the real thing. My kids, my husband and I love the story and the pictures. This book has become the most frequently asked for story in our household. I highly recommend this book for young and old alike.

This is an excellent book to educate your child on wildlife and mother nature! The photography is wonderful and should excite us all to see her wonderful creatures both large and small. My nephews love it and ask to have it read to them time and time again!

This is a wonderful story with beautiful photos!! I have 2 small boys that love this story and ask me to read it over and over again. It keeps the young reader guessing about what is happening in the forest!! I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Max Terman has given us a most delightful read. I love the typography and layout. The quotes at the head of each chapter lead us on a challenging "Owl Prowl". What a privilege it would be to go in person and check out Stripey and the other owls with Max. But next best thing is pulling his book off of the shelf and reading it again and again. Each new read brings a new insight into the lives of great horned owls and the life of humans who care about them. The book is a classic.

I really love this book. Terman writes with an engaging style and he through him I can feel the triumphs and failures of the owl Stripey. It's not often I get attached to an animal I've never met, but this book brings Stripey to life in ways I wouldn't have imagined.

This book follows the life of a Great Horned Owl "Stripey", who was abandoned as a 4 week old chick, and raised and subsequently released and observed by Author and Zoologist Max Terman for a study in Animal behaviour. This thoroughly enjoyable book successfully combines scientific observation, reasoning and speculation with the joys and rewards that relationships between humans and animals can bring. Although a factual account, "Messages from an Owl" reads much like a novel, complete with twists in the plot and happy and sad moments. I highly recommend this book, not only for people interested in biology but for anyone who would enjoy following the life and times of two companions, and Owl and a Man.
Deane P. Lewis

I highly recommend this book to anyone in Michigan with a Bird Feeder in their yard. This book is very informative and is easy to use. The birds in this book are definately the types you will see in your yard and on local waterways. We are thrilled with this product!

I was one of the participants in the second edition of "The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Michigan" and counted a total of 44 birds on my assigned patch of territory. This book features 100 of the 'most commonly encountered birds' that can be spotted in Michigan (not all of them breed here). Most, but not all of the birds appear in color photographs (one notable absence is the red-breasted nuthatch).

Before the listings for the individual birds begin, "Michigan Bird Watching" lays out the state's ecoregions, followed by very useful information on bird watching by season.

There are all sorts of useful lists in this book. "Michigan's Ten Best Bird Watching Spots," a page of "Resources for Michigan Bird Watchers," and "Ten Tips for Beginning Bird Watchers" are some examples.

There is a chapter on feeding and housing birds, plus other tips for attracting birds to your property. In the "Nest Box Tips for Landlords," I was surprised to learn that perches by the entry into the nesting box are unnecessary, and may even attract predators.

Instructions on how to use this book precede the hundred bird listings. Each full-page listing includes a color photograph, and sections labeled, "All about," "Habitat and Range," "Feeding," "Nesting," and "Backyard and Beyond."

I've only seen ONE of the birds in this book's "Michigan's Ten Must-See Birds" so I've got a long way to go.

If I could have requested just a few more items in this book, they would have been: male/female and or summer/winter color differences within a species; and photographs of the species' nests and eggs. Otherwise this is an excellent, fact-filled introduction to Michigan birds.

THIS BOOK WAS IMMEDIATELY HELPFUL IN IDENTIFICATION OF SEVERAL BIRDS IN OUR BACK YARD. I WILL USE THIS BOOK FOR THE YEAR ROUND MIGRATION ID.

Both my 2 and 4 year olds will sit through these books in the evening and keep going back to them as their bedtime picks. The 2 year old loves to learn the character names and laughs at their expressions and is relaxed for bed by the end. It's the only story book he'll sit and listen through end to end.

Wonderful children's book with great stories that children of all ages will enjoy!! We have purchased the whole series for our daughters.

Daniel San Souci has authored another wonderful book. My 3 and 7 year old children both adore his work. The story is engaging and his illustrations are vibrant and captivating. We had ordered this book long ago and it was well worth the wait. His books always remind me of the magical "adventures" I had in my youth and they give my children inspiration to create their own.

This book is one that is still near and dear to my heart, more than 18 years later. It's a simple, sweet tale that my mother read to me (and then I would later read to her) countless times before bed, but it's one that leaves you with a pleasant, satisfied feeling. It's almost magical. Its simplicity is what makes it so very endearing, and I myself would always dream about how delightful it must feel to sit upon a warm, freshly baked pie.

It's never a good idea to begin a review of one book by lambasting a completely different book. But then, I'm not too keen on good ideas. When I look at the beautiful beautiful book that is, "Minerva Louise", I am astonished by its simplicity. It's fabulous how with only a few well chosen lines, author/illustrator Janet Morgan Stoeke is able to create something as perfect as this little book. Compare this with other awful and simplistic books ("Where's Spot?" anyone?) and this becomes even more of a monumental accomplishment than it originally appeared.

The story's just as simple as the pictures. One day the sweet chicken Minerva Louise (who greatly admires the farmhouse) decides that it might be a good idea if she poked her head in and looked around. Once inside she gathers all sorts of odd ideas. A flowerpot of daisies is reduced to flattened flowers when Minerva takes it for a comfortable chair. The sleeping cat? A friendly cow, of course. In her barnyard-mindedness a tricycle is a tractor and a flower coverlet on a bed is a meadow. After further examinations (and unintentional chicken mischief) Minerva decides that she would prefer to live in the yard but that she'll visit the house. In a final panel, Minerva sits contentedly on a pie on the windowsill, "because she loved the house with the red curtains".

And I love Minerva. There just aren't enough worthy chicken protagonists in picture books today. Moreover, there aren't enough picture books that tell a straightforward story with the wit and storytelling skills found in this little marvel. I know I'm gushing over this thing, but it's one of those books you need to see firsthand to understand. Minerva's so amiable that if she was your chicken I'm sure you'd bake pies with the sole purpose of letting her sit on them. This is a very early reader book, and it will make a much loved addition to any child laden home. If I could recommend a single picture book published in the last 20 years with all my heart and soul, it would be the sweet, "Minerva Louise". Miss it, and you're missing out.

Minerva Louise is the chicken version of Amelia Bedelia, and ideal for the youngest children -- the art is bright and bold, the humor very obvious and accessible.

This book was excellent! It was written in a way that most anyone could read and understand what to do. The author was very exact in his directions and suggestions. It has inspired me to be a better gardener and to help others as well. I just hope all my vegtables and fruit do as well as some of the pictures he has int he book. This book is not outdated from the 90's to now as everything is pretty much the same is regards to soil, climate and plants. Excellent!!!

This book tells the reader how to grow a great and wonderful garden without taking up a lot of space. It tells modern ways to garden. It tells how to grow a lot of different kinds of vegetables. For me the raised beds worded wonderfully. This is why I give this book 5 stars!

This is one of the two books that actually got me to start my garden (the other being _Square Foot Gardening_ by Mel Bartholomew). In his book, Mr. Bird teaches a method that combines raised bed gardening with square foot gardening. This may sound complicated, but I as an absolute beginner was able to use it to make a garden containing green & wax beans, peppers, tomatoes, zuccinni, watermelon, canteloupe, corn, cucumbers, pumpkins, sunflowers, lettuce, swiss chard, radishes and carrots. One of the things that I particularly appreciated was his emphasis on finding cheap alternatives to traditional gardening necessities. As an example, he recommends using styrofoam cups with holes punched in the bottom for starting transplants. They are extremely cheap and can be reused year after year. The book is great for beginners. Besides giving all kinds of basic information on how to get started, it gives specific information on growing several different kinds of popular vegetables. Whether you are someone just starting out, or an experienced gardener wanting to try a new method of growing lots of plants in a small area, this is definitely a book to be considered. I'm sure I'll be using it as a reference tool years from now.

quite happy with the purchase. Seller has good communication and speedy shipping. the book is wonderful.

I liked moonbears pet because it is about a friendship that is ruined and then restored at the end.

Frank Asch has been on my children's summer reading lists for three consecutive years and for good reasons. He can tell a good story, he creates likable characters, and he manages to teach lessons without being obvious about it.

In this book, Asch gives us a bit of science along with a tale about friendship. The story begins when Bear and Bird find a little aquatic creature that they think is a fish. The pair name the critter 'Splash' and decide to make it a pet. Things go along well until they discover that Splash "the fish" is growing legs.

Well, this development really throws them for a loop, and the two friends begin to conjecture about what Splash will grow up to be. Somewhat surprisingly (at least for me) they each decide that Splash is going to grow up to be like them. Perhaps it's just wishful thinking, or perhaps it's just that they like what they are, but these assumptions set the two friends to arguing as they take umbrage at the suggestion that it might be better to be a bird than a bear, and vice-versa. Little Bird exclaims that it would silly to want to be a clumsy bear; while Moonbear suggests that it would be equally silly to want to be a puny little 'sack of feathers' when one could be much stronger.

As with all Asch stories, everything works out in the end. And children will learn something about the nature of friendship, and something about science as they see the tadpole grow into a frog.

Five Stars ::: [A-] Good Story. Good Read-aloud. There are two lessons to be learned from this book. The first is about the development of frogs from tadpoles. And the second is that our differences don't have to keep us from being friends. The 'official' AR (Accelerated Reading) Level for Moonbear's Pet is 2.5, or to put it another way, this is a book 'meant' for a mid-year second grader.

Note: The AR designation is a general "guide" that rates books on a relative scale of difficulty. Children can certainly read at levels above or below their group range, so that this number should only be used as a aid to help choose books that are appropriate and not frustrating.

pam t

When it comes to the other species with whom we share this planet, humans are often ignorant and lacking compassion. This characterization is also one that humans have tried to place on turkeys. Frequently this remarkable animal is wrongly portrayed as stupid and clumsy. Part of the reason for these incorrect descriptions of the turkey has to do with our species having cruelly bred this animal for fast growth and unnaturally large size. Turkeys' dependence on humans is often cited when people state that these birds are not intelligent. However, Karen Davis points out in her book More Than a Meal: The Turkey in History, Myth, Ritual, and Reality that these animals are dependent on humans for survival because we have made them so. By breeding fast growing, overweight turkeys we have created birds who are unable to walk fast or fly into trees and who commonly experience "lameness, respiratory congestion, mating infirmities, and heart disease, and most have white feathers that prevent them from camouflaging themselves." Besides intelligence, Davis offers fine examples to illustrate that turkeys are good parents and very protective of their young.
If human animals are going to begin respecting and living in harmony with nonhuman animals, we must learn about these animals and treat them with the compassion and respect all species deserve. We must also learn from our mistakes and cruel past and start righting these wrongs. In More Than a Meal: The Turkey in History, Myth, Ritual, and Reality, Karen Davis provides considerable knowledge on these fascinating animals and our deplorable relationship with them.--Reviewed by N. Glenn Perrett

In her latest book, United Poultry Concerns President Karen Davis goes well beyond the basics when it comes to "talking turkey." As would be expected, Davis provides a wealth of facts about turkeys in their natural state and about the perverse abuses against turkeys perpetrated by hunters and on factory farms. Davis also shares many of her own often quite moving experiences living with and caring for turkeys. But Davis also dares to go deeper, probing the sociological and psychological meanings of such rituals as turkey shoots, turkey drops, and the thanksgiving dinner. Probably, most readers will be shocked to learn about spectacles of humiliation performed by modern communities in the name of "good clean fun" and about the everyday brutalities practiced by the poultry industry. Surely, every reader will be provoked to think hard about the often quite subtle arguments Davis puts forward concerning such issues as the oddly sexualized manner in which hunters of wild turkeys interact with their prey. Whether or not you think you will end up agreeing with Davis, you should read this book to learn more about an important American symbol and exercise your mind at the same time.

"More Than a Meal" is an incredible book, examining not just the nature of the turkey (behavior, intelligence, emotions, etc.), but also our cultural construction of it. Ms. Davis eloquently describes the many ways in which the turkey is dehumanized and demeaned in modern society. Such atrocities go far beyond the obvious (farming and killing turkeys for food), at times bordering on the ridiculous (for instance, the annual presidential pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey that will soon die prematurely anyway, as it was bred for grotesquely rapid growth that its body cannot withstand). She also delves into the human psyche, in a quest to figure out just why we hate this particular bird so (yet schizophrenically honor it every fall).

Karen Davis is an asset to the animal rights community. While anti-ARAs may disparage her with childish nicknames (Karen "Bird Brain" Davis is a popular one), Ms. Davis is clearly deserving of her PhD. She's an excellent writer, transforming what at first glance might be a mundane subject into a fascinating examination of our dysfunctional attitudes towards the nonhuman animals with which we share this planet. "More Than a Meal" is a must-read for anyone interested in the humane treatment of animals.