“The Big Book of Birds” by Yuval Zommer.
Thames and Hudson, New York, 2019, 64 pages, Grades 2-4.
Birds are some of God’s most fascinating creatures. They come in many colors, sizes and shapes. As birds soar through the air, we watch in wonder. How do they glide through the sky? Why do some swoop down on their prey? Why are the eyes of hawks and eagles so fierce?
Yuval Zommer answers many of these questions in his magnificently drawn and illustrated book, “The Big Book of Birds.” Zommer portrays a number of bird species to readers and packs each page with details and facts about the birds. His work is fascinating and comprehensive.
The author divides the text into chapters about different bird species. Within each species, he draws the different birds in the species. For example, in flightless birds, we see emus, ostriches and kiwis moving about their natural habitat. Beneath each bird, Zommer lists a number of interesting facts and points of interest.
In some sections of the book, the author focuses on one bird. His drawings and descriptions of the bald eagle are dramatic and beautiful. We see the eagle soaring above the water and then diving with its sharp talons to catch a fish. His drawings make it easy to understand why this bird was chosen as the national emblem of the United States.
In all the pictures, Zommer shows birds defending their young from predators. For example, albatrosses fly over vast miles of ocean and build nests on deserted islands. Then female albatrosses lay a single egg on the remote islands of their birth. The isolation of their nests protect their young from being attacked.
The section on swans is picturesque, with the birds swimming, diving and flying. Readers will find it exquisite. The book continues with a gallery of different bird species. The drawings are superb and the captions instructive.
If you want to read an outstanding book about birds, Zommer’s “The Big Book of Birds” is the one for you. While the book can be enjoyed individually, it can be savored by late primary grade students and serve as an educational resource. The captions are a virtual encyclopedia of information about birds. The details and information included in these captions will be of great interest to children and adults. The number of birds he describes is remarkable and it is highly likely that you will find a favorite bird in the book. I enjoyed the book and think you will as well. Highly recommended.
