In this companion to On the Farm, In the Wild, and In the Sea, sixteen poems about birds are set against sumptuous landscapes. The poems range from brief, pithy, and humorous to more lyrical and serious expressions. Stadtlander varies palettes and settings to great effect in her rich gouache paintings. Readers will savor this simple but memorable investigation into the global avian experience.

Debut artist Stadtlander's precise gouache double-spread illustrations capture the eye, while Elliott's poems inform readers of the habitats, songs, prey, or appearance of 17 selected birds. Muted backgrounds allow the color of the various birds to take center stage while still evoking the environment in which they live. A wide variety of the avian species is included, such as waterfowl (pelican), backyard visitors (cardinal), exotic feathered creatures (Japanese crane), and birds unfamiliar to most children (albatross). Clever use of language interjects humor as it expands children's vocabulary with such words as multitude, conflagration, untethered, and bower. Though most of the poems are short, they still impart information specific to the featured bird: "The puffin is unique pecially its beak." Elliott's delightful poetic picture book is versatile and lends itself as a brief introduction to birds, as an educational poetry book, as an art book of captivating illustrations, and as added entertainment in storytime. Pair this title with Elliott's other animal books, In the Wild (2010), On the Farm (2008), and In the Sea (2012), to enlighten children about our natural world.

K-Gr 3 Poetry flutters across the pages of this lovely book. Each selection is a short, spot-on depiction of a different species of bird. While these are not lengthy verses describing the birds in great detail, each poem is witty and thoughtful and enlivens its subject. The detailed acrylic illustrations complement the poems beautifully, and every bird seems to come alive on the spacious spreads. They are shown in realistic habitats, often in graceful movements that echo their natural elegance. Many of the pieces have a rhythmic, chirping quality that make them perfect read-alouds. Bird lovers, poetry enthusiasts, and children looking for a fun read will flock to this stunning title.— Ellen Norton, White Oak Library District, Crest Hill, IL

Elliott (On the Farm; In the Wild) adds a celebration of birds to his collection of lighthearted animal poetry. The subjects range from familiar backyard neighbors to birds best from nature documentaries: the Andean condor, the puffin, and the bowerbird (-Nature-s fussy,/ lovesick architect-). Some are described in rhyming verse, while others are captured in telegraphic, haikulike fragments. In -The Macaw,- accompanied by newcomer Stadtlander-s painting of the bird-s wildly colored plumage, Elliott writes simply, -Who/ spilled/ the/ paint?- Stadtlander has the challenging job of following in the footsteps of Elliott-s late collaborator Holly Meade (to whom Elliott dedicates this book). Stadtlander paints the birds with meticulous care, framing them against majestic, muted backgrounds whose overcast skies lend a somber feel. In one spread, the bent legs and swooping necks of courting Japanese cranes form an elegant frieze of classical dimensions. While the seriousness of the images is sometimes at cross-purposes with Elliott-s humor, it-s just right for the poet-s more lyrical moments, as when a bald eagle -circles like a prayer,/ on the rising columns/ of the shining,/ sun-warmed air.- Ages 3-7. Illustrator-s agent: Anne Moore Armstrong, Bright Agency. (Sept.)