Birds: Explore Their Extraordinary World

by Miranda Krestovnikoff, Angela Harding (Illustrator)

Overview

A heavily designed and stunning look at the many birds of the sky—perfect for fans of Botanicum.

From the bitter cold polar regions to the lush tropics, birds have found incredible ways to adapt and survive anywhere. White-winged diuca finches nest high upon freezing glaciers and mightly peregrine falcons circle skyscrapers in busy cities. Look up!

What birds can do is extraordinary. The statuesque golden eagle spots prey from miles away. You can tell what time of day an owl hunts by looking at the color of its eyes. With its long, muscular legs, the secretary bird has a powerful kick that is enough to kill large prey like snakes and hares.

Discover which bird is the fastest, the smallest, the smartest, the most colorful and more in this nonfiction compendium, complete with descriptions from wildlife expert Miranda Krestovnikoff and stunning linocuts from artist Angela Harding.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781547605293
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	04/06/2021
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	9.64(w) x 12.31(h) x 0.51(d)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Miranda Krestovnikoff has always loved to be outdoors. Her passion for wildlife started early on by observing animals in the wild and keeping a veritable menagerie at home in the laundry room! Miranda studied Zoology at Bristol University and, even before graduating, secured work at the BBC Natural History Unit. Miranda later became a presenter and this enabled her to travel and present conservation stories from around the globe. She has presented BBC's Coast, and appeared on BBC's The One Show, River Walks, Curious Creatures, Big Week at the Zoo, Animals at Night, Celebrity Eggheads and more. Miranda is also involved with several charities, including the National Trust and WDC. She is currently president of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. She is also the author of The Ocean: Exploring Our Blue Planet. She lives in Bristol, England.
www.mirandak.co.uk/
@MirandaKnature

Angela Harding is a fine artist specializing in nature and wildlife screenprints as well as lino and vinylcuts. Her prints appear in a huge range of galleries and have also been featured in Gardens Illustrated, BBC Countryfile and Country Living Magazine. She lives in Rutland, England.
www.angelaharding.co.uk/

Editorial Reviews

06/14/2021

In an introduction and 14 sections, including “Birds of prey,” “Flightless birds,” “Migration,” “Birdsong,” and “Urban birds,” wildlife expert Krestovnikoff presents a comprehensive overview of dinosaurs’ feathery descendants. Told in approachable prose, each section pinpoints facts that young readers will find interesting, including fastest species, impressive features, and “very unusual adaptations.” For example, about vultures’ bald necks, “this might not look very appealing, but it’s thought that the lack of feathers is helpful when they thrust their necks deep inside carcasses to feed, as any feathers would get caked in blood.” Boldface subheadings further organize chapters, spotlighting details about certain species, including grebes, great bustards, and bowerbirds. Stunning linocuts by fine artist Harding offer textured, intricate illustrations of many bird types, rendered in a naturalistic palette. This well-designed resource will prove a good gift for budding avian enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates nature trivia. Ages 6–9. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Intriguing facts [with] bits of information that are likely to stick in readers' minds….Even more striking are the illustrations, both black-and-white wood engravings and silk-screened linocuts.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A browser-friendly overview that features paragraphs of information beyond science class coverage, a broader scope than field guides, and sophisticated illustrations that invite engrossed lingering.” —BCCB

“An ambitious, gorgeous overview of bird adaptations.” —School Library Journal

"Gorgeously illustrated . . . this work will appeal best to sophisticated readers and budding ornithologists." - Booklist

From the Publisher

04/01/2021

Gr 4–6—Birds evolved from dinosaurs. As they spread across the world into almost every habitat, they showcased flight, plumage, and distinctive songs and calls. Harding's vivid linocut illustrations complement short chapters that detail specific habitats. The text also explains how avian characteristics such as feathers and beaks ensure the bird's success in these environments. The chapter on birds of prey provides astonishing facts: The largest is the 30-pound Andean condor; the tall secretary bird of Africa kills by kicking its prey to death. Specific locations of outstanding species are not always mentioned, such as the smelliest (hoatzin) and the bird with the longest bill (the sword-billed hummingbird). Sometimes the general nature of the short descriptions omits important details. For example, the osprey's talons are described as "backward-facing," but only the outer talon can rotate to secure a more stable grip on a captured fish. The illustrations are striking; the depiction of the fierce golden eagle is wonderful. VERDICT An ambitious, gorgeous overview of bird adaptations.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County P.L., VA

School Library Journal

2021-01-27
All over the world, birds with unique skills and adaptations survive and flourish in all kinds of different environments.

Krestovnikoff, a well-known BBC wildlife presenter and author of The Ocean (2020), is also president of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which will benefit from sales of this British import. Here, she explores the world of birds. She groups them in chapters, sometimes by habit (birds of prey) and more often by habitat (seabirds, freshwater birds, tree dwellers, passarines, birds that live where it is extremely cold or extremely warm, and birds that live in cities). Other chapters cover distinctive characteristics (feathers, beaks, and eyes), nests, and behaviors (flightless birds, migration, and bird song). Each chapter has further subtopics presented in dense chunks of information with clear subheadings on spreads that include labeled images of some of the birds discussed. The writer has chosen intriguing facts, bits of information that are likely to stick in readers’ minds even though some of the birds she describes may be unfamiliar to them. Even more striking are the illustrations, both black-and-white wood engravings and silk-screened linocuts. Harding’s colors are often more artistic than realistic: Her flamingos and scarlet macaws are a brownish orange, but the sapsucker has a properly red cap and neck. As art to enjoy, they suit the admiring tone of the book.

Better for appreciation than information, this attractive title is suitable for larger collections and dedicated bird lovers. (Informational picture book. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews