Bird Count - (Community Science Counts!) by Susan Edwards Richmond (Hardcover)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

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

Review Quotes

"Clever design. . . Count guidelines are smoothly worked into Richmond's narrative... An engaging, informative introduction. " --Kirkus Reviews

"An instructive and attractive picture book for aspiring ornithologists and young nature aficionados." --Publishers Weekly

"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. . . . This book introduces elementary school readers to the world of birds and citizen science in an accessible, welcoming way." --School Library Journal

About the Author

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.