The Big Book of Birds

by Yuval Zommer, Barbara Taylor

The next Big Book in the series introduces young children to some of the most colorful, magnificent, silly, and surprising feathered creatures from around the world. Following up the hugely successful The Big Book of Bugs , The Big Book of Beasts , and The Big Book of the Blue , The Big Book of Birds is a fact-filled tour of the world’s most wonderful winged creatures. Yuval Zommer’s distinctive illustrations show off some of the most colorful, flamboyant, impressive, and wacky birds of the sky. Picture-book charm pairs with informative nonfiction to make a beautiful, large-format title for parents to share with young children and for older children to read by themselves. The book draws in children and parents alike with captivating information about and charming illustrations of hummingbirds, peacocks, flamingos, bald eagles, secretary birds, puffins, red-crowned cranes, and more. The book also invites young bird-watchers to protect birds where they live and make their gardens bird-friendly. The text is chatty, funny, and full of remarkable facts. Yuval Zommer’s illustrations and fresh approach are what make this series feel distinct. His glorious and quirky pictures appeal to young children, who will relish the flighty questions and pithy facts about the most exciting creatures of the sky. Illustrated in color throughout

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens, Birds, Nature, Science

64 pages, Hardcover

First published June 4, 2019

About the author

Yuval Zommer graduated from London’s Royal College of Art and has worked as creative director for many of the U.K.’s top advertising agencies. This is his debut picture book, inspired by the animals he came across on a trip to the zoo.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful big book full of illustrations and facts. The facts are all interesting and unusual and the illustrations are bright colourful and cute! I really liked the way this illustrator has painted the birds. I would have preferred a book like this to concentrate on one country at a time or at least have a country where the birds come from at the top of the page but a very nice book for young ornithologists.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful reference book full of detailed illustrations and helpful, relevant information. Children will particularly love the practical advice for bird-spotting and I liked the fact that city birds were included for those who live in more urban areas.

[Kayla Zabcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

60%

It was a bit disappointing that the "big" part comes from the physical size of the book, not from actual content. That being said, the drawings were lovely and the facts were fun, if a bit lacking at times (i.e. they said the Great Gray Owl is named so because of its size, but then doesn't tell you the size) ((it's body length is 24-33" or 61-84 cm, in case you were wondering)). I enjoyed the occasional search-and-find, and I think it would have been a great feature to include more of.

[Mr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to buy and have from now until older, has so many beautiful pictures and facts

[Liva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yuval Zommer mākslinieka darbi ir sīkām detaļām pārbagātas grāmatas bērniem un arī viņu vecākiem. Liela formāta grāmata galvenokārt ir bilžu grāmata, jo pievienotie teksti ir ļoti īsi. Tieši tekstu īsā formāta dēļ gan putnu grāmatai, gan pārējām, noteikti vēl būtu daudz ko piebilst un iebilst. Taču kopumā tas ir labs sākums uz interesi par putniem un dabu vispār.
Plašāk par grāmatu un lasīšanas pieredzi blogā:
https://lalksne.blogspot.com/2019/05/...

[Mary Liss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tattoo inspiration

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an awesome read with lots of bird facts and the cutest illustrations!

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why we chose this book:
We loved The Big Book of the Blue, and we love learning about birds! We just saw a great blue heron in our yard, sparking our interest in that particular species. We were so glad to have this on hand to look up how it catches its prey. Thames and Hudson provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Mom's Review
What is cozier than being side by side with your little one on the rug, perusing a giant picture book, with the sun streaming in? Not much in my book. And this is how T and I have read through The Big Book of Birds. The oversized publication takes up almost our whole field of vision when it's propped up in my lap and T is under my arm, pointing out what he wants me to read (or where a hidden egg can be found on different pages). Reading together was like being in our own little world. No distractions (despite the LEGO bricks surrounding us), no interruptions (the InstantPot was cooking away). Purely time enjoying a book together.

Whether you are reading it with a little one under your arm or your elementary schooler has it him/herself, if you are a fan of Yuval Zommer, you will not be disappointed with this latest Big Book. From bird families to migration to flightless birds to eggs, and from flamingos to great gray owl to kingfishers, The Big Book of Birds is a fascinating and lovely flight through the avian world.

There is a lot of information to take in, some of it familiar, but much of it new. Each two-page spread features stunning illustrations with snippets of text. The Big Book of Birds strikes the balance between entertaining and informing that I like so much. Flamingos pee on their own legs to cool down. Entertaining? My son is four. Potty humor is high comedy in this house (though we are trying to keep it to this house – wish us luck with that one). Informative? You bet! On top of the edifying(?) information, there's also a seek-and-find game: readers have to spot a particular egg throughout the book. Get those Where's Waldo? skills warmed up!

Note: The information covered includes basic bird information, specialized trivia, and tips for bird-watching. It's not all flamingo pee and kingfisher poop.

Son's Review
(Age: 4 years old)
Mom: What is your favorite section? Why?

Son: My favorite section is this page because it's eggs and the biggest egg is an ostrich egg. It takes up a bunch of space.

Mom: What is your favorite bird? Why?

Son: These [chicks] are two of my favorite birds because they can crack open their eggs like every kind of bird.

Mom: You learned lots of new information. What's your favorite thing you learned?

Son: Well, my favorite is: the ostrich is so big that the ostrich egg is so big. Too big. Giant. Massive. Enormous. Big!

Mom: I want to know more about those little flightless parrots in New Zealand. What do you want to know more about? Do you have a specific question?

Son: Probably everything. Why is migration a hard thing for birds?

Mom: Which bird do you most want to see? Why?

Son: There are some cute birds who don't live in this country.
(He's referring to the flightless parrots.)

Mom: Should Dad read this? ... Why should Dad or anyone read The Big Book of Birds?

Son: It's a great book!...Because it teaches you about birds, like things you don't know about birds.

[I _teach_muggles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Big Book of Birds is the fourth book in Yuval Zommer’s ‘The Big Book of’ series. It follows on from the publication of The Big Book of Bugs, The Big Book of Beasts and The Big Book of the Blue, and readers are in for yet another treat. If you are not familiar with Zommer’s work and ‘The Big Book’ series you are seriously missing out. Like the previous books in the series, it is full of fascinating facts, questions and answers.

Ever wondered…How many types of bird are there? Why is a flamingo pink? Do magpies really steal shiny things? Why is a peacock such a show-off? Well, The Big Book of Birds has the answers to all of these questions and more.

The book covers many topics. Specific birds get their own double page spreads and there is information on feathers, beaks, nests, eggs, migration, bird calls and song. There is also plenty of practical advice on how to become a super bird-spotter and how to attract birds to your garden.

The Book of the Birds is produced across twenty-six double page spreads. Each double page spread focuses on a specific topic or bird and is laid out in an inviting way for the reader. The pages are colourful and are packed full of stunning illustrations that are detailed and vibrant. Each double page spread begins with a heading and is supplemented by an interesting question that immediately grabs the reader’s attention. Subheadings are scattered across the page and are accompanied by facts and informative chunks of text. Zommer’s clever use of puns adds humour to the book which readers will delight in. Get ready for ‘wee-ly cool’ (a flamingos rather disgusting way of cooling down) and ‘talon-ted hunter’.

And when all the information gets too much there are fabulous ‘can you spot’ activities that occasionally feature. Readers are challenged to find specific things within individual spreads such as finding the three female kingfishers. There is also a more generic challenge in which readers are given the task of finding the special egg that has found its way into fifteen of the spreads.

This feels like a proper grown-up non-fiction book and young readers will no doubt love that there is a contents, an index and a glossary that comes in the form of ‘Bird Words’ so young bird-watchers can speak like an expert.

The book is a fabulous way for children to learn about the amazing birds of this world. It is a brilliant book for any budding ornithologist or the casual bird-watcher who enjoys a bit of bird spotting from home and will be devoured by children who want to find out about our feathered friends. The book is published as a large format coffee-table sized book with thick pages that will hold up to endless hours of exploration.

Recommended for 6+.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a welcome sound after the lengthy winter months cloaked in snow, chill and silence. It is so loud, it penetrates the walls of the house. It's barely warm enough to open a window, but the melodious notes implore a listener to do this very thing. On a gentle breeze blowing through the now opened window, it's a soul-soothing concert free to all who can hear.

For the past several days in the early morning hours, a single bird sings with piercing sweetness. Not only does this bird and its companion species provide us with songs but they are essential to Earth's ecology. Their physical characteristics, habits and habitats are varied and fascinating. The Big Book of Birds (Thames & Hudson, June 4, 2019) is the fourth book in an engaging series written and illustrated by Yuval Zommer. It is as captivating as The Big Book of Bugs, The Big Book of Beasts and The Big Book of the Blue.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Sarah Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just have to gush a little bit about this stunning book that I recently discovered. The Big Book of Birds is positively fantastic. To begin with, the art is mesmerizing--every page is layered with color, playfulness, and intriguing details. You'll see something new each time you look. The writing, too, is just the absolute best kind of nonfiction for children. Offered as bite-sized fascinating facts and answers to questions about feathers, eggs, beaks, and more, the engaging text is interspersed among the giant illustrations. Families can read every word or choose new bits on each reading. There is also a little game embedded in the book--a special egg hidden on fifteen pages. Kids will love that. The Big Book of Birds is really one of the most delightful nonfiction books for kids I've read in the last few years. I'd give it six stars if I could.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series of books and THE BIG BOOK OF BIRDS is a welcome addition. It covers birds from owls and robins to secretary birds and hoopoes. The book is built around a question and answer format that I think is perfect for the audience. Each page offers interesting information about a bird or group of birds. For example, the hummingbird page asks and answers "Does a hummingbird hum?" but it also offers other interesting information. Did you know that hummingbirds are the only bird that can fly backwards? Beyond the breath of information covered and the appealing format, the illustrations are lovely icing on a delicious cake. They are graceful and eye catching like all of Yuval Zommer's books.

[Bella]

A collection of fun bird facts, with gorgeous illustrations of birds. As long as you like drawings of birds where the body is in profile but both eyes are shown. Each spread is dedicated to one question or bird, with 4-8 facts per spread. Each fact has a heading and there are so many good puns.

I learnt that a puffin is called a puffin because baby puffins look like puffy balls of fluff. Baby puffins are called pufflings. Adult puffins can fly at up to 88 km/hr! But they aren't great at landing and therefore are prone to crash landing.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have been a bird lover and watcher as well as a librarian for a long time. This was not a favorite picture book for me. Definitely oversized, but the content is just some basic facts about the birds, but first one is at the beach then the backyard then in the Arctic and then the jungle. I also was not fond of the illustrations of the birds as the heads and eyes seem to be somewhat elongated. Yes, the copy I am reading is cataloged as a picture book, but I am not sure I like it fro a picture book perspective.

[Jes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art in this book has me cracking up with their bird eyes, BUT! I'm also thrilled at how accurate the depictions were upon checking. All the identifying traits were present in the illustrations, which I think made this book incredibly fun. I'm adding this to my list of books I want to buy. Whether it's for educational purposes or a coffee table book, this one is sure to entertain.

I recommend this book to bird lovers of all ages. But mostly the younger ones.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

HET VROLIJKE VOGEL BOEK
•
Wij hebben in oktober 2021 het (natúúrlijk vind ik dat zelf als kersverse mama zijde) allerliefste, knapste en leukste meisje mogen verwelkomen in ons leven.
•
Haar papa en ik houden ontzettend van vogels en ander “wildlife”. We gaan regelmatig op pad om onder andere vogels te fotograferen.
Wat zou het gaaf zijn als onze kleine meid hier later ook zo van gaat genieten!
•
Dit prachtige, vrolijke, leerzame kinderboek van @yuvalzommer gaat hier vast bij helpen. 💚

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous, entertaining and educational book about all kinds of birds.
The content consists of short factoids, which is great for kids who want to browse. Each has a catchy title that's often humorous or word play.
The illustrated birds are quite realistic except for two eyes visible on the side of the head a la Picasso, which feels kind of fun and arty. It doesn't take itself too seriously.
Large format, with gloss spots on the cover, this is a book to treasure.

[Teri B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this book about birds. It was lovely to be introduced into the physicality of a bird, its feathers and what makes it fly, its beaks as well as its legs.

The treasure hunt for the egg was an additional bonus and utterly enjoyable. Loved the full double page illustrations.

[curiouskat_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning! Adored reading this one to my kiddo. Borrowed from my local library and may need to pick up the series for our homeschool collection. It is packed with stunning illustrations and interesting information on a variety of different birds. There was alot of interesting tid bits and the section mentioning robins made me laugh hard while reading it out.

[Ms.Gaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small bits of information about a variety of birds and bird behavior. Colorful and fun images, although some of the birds who are positioned sideways look a bit odd with 2 eyes. Just for fun - there's an egg to find on 15 pages. Ages 7-9

[João Teixeira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mais um livro fabuloso sobre o mundo natural, que não só está cheio de boas ilustrações (mesmo que não completamente realistas), como ainda inclui bastante informação sobre o mundo das aves, de forma lúdica.

[Ademog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never thought birds as interesting creature before i read this book. I learned a lot and hopefully my daughter will too. However, even though i like the illustration of Yuval Zommer, the eyes he drew sometimes just didn't work for me, thus 4*.

[Rézina Dějová · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prohlížení krásně ilustrovaných dětských knížek (obzvlášť těch naučných) je moje guilty pleasure. Tady jednoznačně převažuje vizuální část nad tou naučnou, proto jen tři, až tři a půl hvězdy.

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for children about birds. It gives an excellent introduction to what birds are and how they are unique. It also discusses different types of birds. It is mostly a picture book the art is beautiful.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info, fun colors...creepy two-eyes-on-the-same-side-of-the-head bird illustrations. It's got everything!

[Daramegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://daramegan.cz/recenze/velka-kni...

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book except the illustrations of the birds eyes were not anatomically correct. I liked the search and find features.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are all fantastic. Just enough detail, gorgeous colour illustrations. Kids love to pore over them.

[Jenny Hartfelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outside of the strange eyes on the illustrations, I found this to be a delightfully well done and educational book about birds.

[Chils27 · Rating 4 out of 5]

drawings are great and unique but the description can be a bit more detail and funny.serch and find is fun.