A Garden to Save the Birds

by Wendy McClure, Beatriz Mayumi (Illustrator)

ALA Top 10 Sustainability-themed Children's Books 2022

A brother and sister learn that small changes can make a big difference.

When a bird flies into their window by accident, Callum and his sister, Emmy, learn that from the outside, the glass looks just like the sky. They also learn that the United States has lost a lot of birds in recent years―and that there are lots of things their family can do to help. First, they set out feeders and make the windows safe. Then, for the winter, they build a little shelter and put out a heated birdbath. By springtime, all kinds of birds are visiting their yard! But with such a big problem, is there more they can do to make a difference?

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Birds, Childrens, Fiction, Gardening, Environment

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2021

About the author

Wendy McClure is an author and a children’s book editor.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hooray! Very happy to see a book like this that presents not only the problems facing wildlife, but the very real and actionable steps that children can take to HELP! I'm so fatigued with many recent picture books that lay heavy and frightening burdens at the feet of youngsters without providing any real hope or ways that children can truly DO anything to help. In this book, the children and their mother find ways to help the birds by making simple but important changes around their home and yard, and even speaking with neighbors and sparking enthusiasm in them to do the same. It might be a bit idealized ALL the neighbors are enthusiastic and supportive and the neighborhood becomes a certified wildlife habitat but it is hopeful and encouraging and many of the actions are ones that can be done just within one family and can make a difference. It even shows that some of what you can do to help is NOT doing... not raking up leaves in the fall (bugs love to hide in the leaves and birds love the bugs) or not deadheading flowers so that the birds can enjoy the seeds. Overall, highly recommend.

The back matter includes online resources and information about helping the birds including:

MAKE YOUR YARD A FRIENDLY PLACE FOR BIRDS IN EVERY SEASON
Leave last year's dead plants in place throughout winter
Create shelter for birds
Provide fresh water
Provide food
Keep cats indoors

HELP MIGRATORY BIRDS FIND THEIR WAY
Turn off unnecessary* lights at night in fall and spring (outdoor lights may confuse migrating birds)
Put decals on windows to help birds avoid collisions
Count and record birds you see using citizen science websites

HELP THE ENVIRONMENT
Plant native species
Plant trees
Reduce plastics use

Make your yard or neighborhood a certified wildlife habitat (via National Wildlife Federation, Saving Birds Thru Habitat, or Audubon Society)

*I do feel the text/illustrations of the story went a bit overboard on the outside lighting, making it seem that even porch lights need to be turned off in spring and fall -- which is not always safe depending on your area or circumstances. However, the focus on reducing UNNECESSARY light is pertinent for almost everyone (such as closing your blinds at night).

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The illustrations are gorgeous. It shows small concrete steps that people can take to help turn their home into one that is friendly to critters, especially birds. This book would be great if you have a little one who is interested in the outside, birds, gardening, etc. It also has a great theme of community and family running through it. Perfect to teach little ones how they can do their part for our planet! It does have a fair amount of text, but great illustrations.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet little book is an absolute gem. A family learns about the many problems affecting songbirds, and they decide to make their suburban backyard an oasis for feathered friends. When the bright and beautiful birds start flocking, even some of the neighbors get in on the action.

A Garden to Save the Birds is a wonderful humane education resource, as it weaves simple ideas for helping birds into the text, creating a story in an organic way. Don't miss it!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathryn says there are actual actionable points listed, and she is right! Yay!
Highly recommended not just to homeowners, but even to renters, and even folks in apartments can get a few ideas. Even reminds us to keep cats indoors. Plus, it's not just a sermon, but a nice story about a family we like, and about their neighbors. Includes back matter.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who else is excited for spring? With snow drifts obscuring the stone walls that divide our yard from the forest, spring seems forever away. We're enjoying that snow immensely, but also looking forward to when we can work in our yard again. Now that we've read A Garden to Save the Birds, we have some new plans!

We would love to live in the book neighborhood. Scratch that. We'd love to make our neighborhood reflect the book neighborhood. The resources in the back make it doable, too! But let's back up. The story follows two children who are surprised when a bird collides with their window. Their curiosity leads them down a rabbit hole, ending with a neighborhood transformation. As Callum and Emmy learn about the hazards to native bird species (the neighbor's cat) and simple actions they can take to protect birds (building a shelter), they involved their neighbors. Everyone in the visibly diverse* neighborhood gets on board – it's so easy, how could you not? – and they have a real impact on the environment.

The story progresses naturally, inviting readers of all ages to accompany the family as they learn and grow. Each new fact that Callum and Emmy learn prompts them to ask another question or investigate further until they are experts on bird sanctuaries and everything tangential. The way that they communicate with their neighbors sets an excellent example for how to live in a community with open and honest communication. Everything about the neighborhood project is inspiring and attainable. Back matter includes more information about threats to bird, simple actions to take, and resources to access.

T is eager to install a birdbath in our front garden and build the stick-and-log shelter that the children built. We already have big undertakings afoot in our yard, and it's exciting for me to see T so excited to carry out his new bird-related plans.

A Garden to Save the Birds resonated with us and inspires us. Now we just need to refill those feeders out back!

*Characters are shown with various skin tones; last names indicate Hispanic, European, and Asian roots; a range of family groupings are shown, including, but not limited to, a single-parent household, a bachelor, and two adult men.

Note: A review copy was provided by the publisher for our honest review.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book. This is told in narrative form, but shares plenty of information, so it is a bit of a fiction/non-fiction hybrid. After a bird crashes into their window, a family decides to learn more about what happened and how to prevent it from happening again. They learn about the devastating loss of birds over the past 50 years (about 3 billion birds since 1970) and work on making their home and yard welcoming to birds. They start with window decals, decide to leave the fallen leaves and dead flowers over the winter, build a stick pile for shelter, fill a bird feeder, plant bulbs of flowering plants, and start leaving their outdoor lights off at night. They also talk to their neighbors, who put up a bird house and pond among other things. They enjoy seeing not only birds but also bees and butterflies come to their yard and eventually even become a certified wildlife habitat.

I am learning more about gardening to support pollinators (I was mainly concerned about bees, but as this family found, they all work together), so I have been reading books written for all levels. This book has a lot of information and possible action steps despite its picture book format. However, I don't know how much appeal it would have for kids. It's too long and specific for a casual storytime, but could be used one-on-one with an interested child or perhaps in conjunction with a classroom unit on a broader topic (what can we do to help the earth, working with our community, etc). I liked the illustrations and the diversity of the neighborhood. Back matter includes a list of what "you and your family can do," and a selection of relevant websites.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emmy and Callum become concerned about the decreasing number of birds after one strikes their window and they start researching why that might have happened. They decide to take action, putting decals on the windows so the birds can see them, filling the bird feeder, and leaving some plants and leaves in the yard in the fall, and planting bulbs for spring flowers. They also turn off the house lights and create a shelter from wood pieces for the birds. As the youngsters become more invested in the birds that visit their neighborhood, they even reach out to their neighbors with suggestions for how they too can help. Eventually they even are able to post a sign designating the area a Certified Wildlife Habitat, a distinction that shows this area is safe for birds. The siblings feel good about what they've accomplished over the course of a year and how they've provided a resting place and maybe even a home for the birds. The digital illustrations and text highlight two youngsters who are able to make a difference in the world around them, simply by taking small steps and making small changes. The back matter includes information on the plummeting numbers of birds in this country as well as steps anyone can take to help them. Even leaving dead plants alone until winter has passed and providing food and water can make a big difference for birds. Most of all, be sure to keep family cats inside so that birds don't become prey for them. Elementary students might draw inspiration from this story so that they can take similar actions in their own neighborhoods.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a bird flies into the window at Callum’s house, he and his sister learn all about birds: their diminishing population, how city lights can cause them to get lost, how to prevent them from flying into windows, and more. He and his family – sister Emmy and mother – learn about, and then put into practice, the things to do and not to do to make their yard a better habitat for birds. They ask their neighbors to join in too.

This is a lovely book and call to action for young environmentalists. It shows a (brown-skinned) family making easy changes to their home and yard and organizing their neighbors, young, older, and various ethnicities and family structures. There are notes at the end with information about what’s happening with birds world-wide. The realistic cartoon-like art warmly depicts the neighborhood through the seasons with people, flora and fauna given simple but richly colored detail.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bird crashes into the window. A young boy is saddened to see this. He asks why it happened and what can be done about it. They read about birds and how to help them. He and his mom add stickers to the window so birds can see that it isn't sky. Then he, his sister, and his mom add a bird house, plant a garden that will help the birds and involve the neighborhood in saving the birds. Many of the ideas shared are simple and we can do them too (such as turning off porch lights at night because they confuse birds while migrating or planting gardens). Our fourth grade students study birds and do community projects to raise awareness about how to help them. This book is perfect for their study.

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore books that inspire little hands to join together and make big change. In this beautiful new picture book, Callum and Emmy are surprised when a bird crashes into their window. It sparks the beginning of their learning about the many challenges facing the declining bird population in North America and how their efforts can make a difference and influence those around them. Complete with beautiful illustrations and action steps that you and your family can take to help - I highly recommend adding this inspiring and informative book to your shelves! Please note that I was fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy of this beautiful new book in exchange for an honest review.

[Gbarielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bird flew in a small boy window on mistake then him and his sister discovered that from the outside glass looks just like the sky they also did research of their own and came to the knowledge that the United States have lost a lot of birds in passing years and someway they can help.I will rate this book 3 stars because from an adults standpoint it wasn’t that interesting and it seems like the story turns in different ways. From a child's point of view they might love the book because it is like their thinking process. The book also had some really good information.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was our second time reading this book, and I had to review it given our affinity for both birds and eco-friendly gardening. It's very simple for young kids (I have a 4yo and 5yo) to understand, and really unleashes their mind to explore how their yard does or can help the creatures around it. Even one small change can help our feathered friends. If you have kids who take to nature, this is a must-read! 5 stars

[Kate Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callum and his sister Emmy begin a journey of learning about birds and how to keep them safe after a bird flies into their window by accident. After that they feel a responsibility to the birds to help them, so they set out feeders, and water baths for the birds, soon being fascinated by all the birds that make their home there. This is a great story for students to be appreciative of the nature around us and how we can help support nature when we have the opportunity to do so.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about children who learn what to do to help birds in their community to stop flying into windows, find food in winter, and turn off lights at night so birds can migrate and not get distracted. Building shelters for birds to rest in and leaving water out for them. Lots of practical ideas for bird survival in nature and back matter to explain and inform.

[Patricia Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book! Inspiring all kid activists to learn about & save our backyard birds. I want to gift this book to all the little kids I know. ❤️ the practical steps/ideas. The illustrations are beautiful, birds can be identified, and ideas clearly visualized. End Notes explains what is happening to our backyard birds and provides things kids and their families can do.
🐦 book

[Destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a bird hits Emmy's and Callum's window they worry it might be hurt. After the bird is ok Emmy begins to research other things that can be dangerous for birds, and the whole family begins to make changes to their home to male it safe for the birds to migrate especially at night. The illustrations are vibrant and fir the story with lots of details put into them.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Garden to Save the Birds is a call to action to save our birds. Unfortunately, our bird populations are diminishing and this book highlights some of the problems birds are facing. I love it when kids become activists and work to solve problems.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with Mister; how can we make more of a difference? Books that show easy ways that children and their families can make a difference matter. The illustrations were so vibrant and approachable.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute but did a minimal amount of showing, and then a ton of telling at the end with that 'more information' section. I would have appreciated that more info section being integrated into the picture book itself.

[LibrErin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and easy for kids to connect with; this story outlines ways that we can help foster bird friendly environments in our own backyard. Empowering for young kids, lots of suggestions for further research and things to do at home to help.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book all Americans should read. Fifty years ago there were 3 BILLION more birds in North America?!?

Come on, people, let's all do our part. This book is a wonderful way for children to learn how to help.

[Audrey Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows a younger girl after finding out birds are going extinct because of humans. She plants trees, builds bird feeders, and gives her friends are family information about how they can also help the birds.

[Elizabeth]

I love how many things I learn from picture books!

[Becky]

Probably too much text for storytime, but might be good to highlight as a possible take home after storytime. Bipoc characters.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callum and Emmy help make their neighborhood a safer place for birds.

[Brisni (בריטני) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. The illustrations are beautiful. Informative book, but with a hopeful lean. It gives practical steps/ideas for implementing via the narrative. Really liked the tone and message.

[DiAnne Warfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holt-Delhi story time 09-28-2021

[Dedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book kids will latch on to because it gives clear things they can do to make a difference.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too long for young readers, but cute art and has great tips to make your yard friendly for birds.

[Carrie Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love how the kids came up with a plan to help.