About this item
Highlights
- A whimsical, inquiry-based meditation on why a bird is a bird In this evocative picture book, a child wanders through nature with one question: what makes a bird a bird?
- 4-8 Years
- 10.2" x 9.2" Hardcover
- 32 Pages
- Juvenile Fiction, Social Themes
Description
About the Book
"A philosophical albeit kid-friendly look at why a bird is a bird. Told from the first-person perspective of a chid, this thoughtful meditation on what makes a bird similar or different, ordinary or unique, will inevitably compel readers to reflect on what makes us human, and what makes us adhere to a variety of social constructs--namely gender. Ultimately, the narrator decides that it doesn't matter what makes a bird. Whether they're similar or different, ordinary or unique, they can all just be birds! The book will encourage kids to question things they thought they already understood, and to consider that what might at first seem obvious can quickly become complex when examined from a different perspective. Mariah (Maia) Hoekstra's colourful, movement-filled illustrations perfectly capture the charm of this thought-provoking text. There are a total of 34 different species of birds included on the pages--and three birds that were made up from the artist's imganation! A search-and-find activity is included at the end, where the reader is given visual cues to find and identify all the birds in the book--a chance for kids to further explor the beautiful whimsical illustrations"--Book Synopsis
A whimsical, inquiry-based meditation on why a bird is a bird
In this evocative picture book, a child wanders through nature with one question: what makes a bird a bird? Is it feathers? What about a beak? Could it be wings? With each possible answer, more questions arise. If laying eggs makes a bird a bird, what about turtles, snakes, or fish? If flying is the thing, are penguins still birds? Ultimately, the narrator concludes that a bird is a bird, with or without feathers, beaks, or the ability to fly!
Accompanied by gorgeous illustrations and subtle STEM content, this thoughtful picture book invites readers to think about what makes us human and how we categorize and identify the world around us.
Review Quotes
"A wonderfully thought-provoking picture book ... Child-friendly, contemplative text encourages scientific, empathetic, and poetic thinking that ponders deeply."
-- "Shelf Awareness""A cleverly open-ended answer to a big question."
-- "Kirkus Reviews""The beautiful book playfully takes on an enormous (and important) question, and it's sure to spark conversation ... A fun philosophical and scientific debate wrapped in a particularly pretty package."
-- "Booklist"