Pick of the Day: Look Up!

A fun and informative guide to observing and sketching birds

Look Up! in large letters on leftCATE, Annette Leblanc. Look Up!: Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard. illus. by author. 64p. illus. index. Candlewick. Mar. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4561-8. LC 2012942416. Gr 3-5–With its emphasis on looking at the birds near home–from suburbs to inner cities–this invitation to bird-watching is an engaging addition to any collection. By grouping birds by colors, shapes, behaviors, feathers, calls, habitat, migration, and more, the spreads highlight the multitude of avian features to be observed. Cate emphasizes the importance of observation and includes sketching instructions as a way to hone those skills on the individual aspects of a bird along with its species’ characteristics. Each page is filled with full-color illustrations. At first glance they may appear crowded and busy, but the detailed drawings are charming, lively, and fun. Humorous dialogue bubbles feature bird “thoughts” in accessible language. Comic human observations are also included: “Are those pesky birds pooping on my windowsill again?” Lots of fun–and informative.–Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

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