Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Yolen and her three children celebrate birds with a lavishly illustrated compendium of facts, photographs, and poetry.This lovingly compiled collection begins with a lengthy section of articles describing birds, their anatomy, and their nests, and it ends with suggestions for attracting birds to your backyard. In between are chapters about prehistoric birds (dinosaurs), birds in history, state birds (each with a full-page photograph and two fast facts), listening to birds, looking at birds, bird migration, saving species, bird records, birds in the arts and in story, and citizen science. The authors of each text piece, song, and poem are identified in the backmatter; photo credits show that these splendid images come from around the world. There's even a list of the scientific names of the birds in order of their appearance in the text. Dedicated to Yolen's husband and the Stemples' father, David Stemple, an ardent birder and bird-song recordist, this oversized volume is a treat to look at and to read. It includes a list of films to watch ("Birds are notoriously difficult to train to perform on stage or screen"), nicely retold myths and fables from around the world (with a map), two Audubon paintings, and carefully crafted poems including one about flock names. As is characteristic of National Geographic publications, the plentiful photographs are well-chosen and beautifully reproduced. A treasure for browsers and bird lovers everywhere. (authors' notes, acknowledgements, find out more, index) (Nonfiction. 8-adult)

ALA Booklist (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

The author of Owl Moon (1987), her sons, and daughter (birders all) offer this compendium of avian facts and particulars. They begin with the basics (anatomy, eggs, nests, beaks, bones, wings, and feathers); examine dino birds, birds in history, and state birds; explicate watching, photographing, and listening to birds; detail migration and conservation efforts; survey birds in the arts; and provide information on citizen science projects and encouraging backyard bird activity via feeders and bird-friendly gardens. Each short chapter (most are 3 to 4 spreads in length) includes several brief text boxes and captioned, full-color illustrations stly crisp-edged photographs, but also some reproduced paintings. The use of multiple font styles and text colors makes for attractive page layouts, and many chapters include an original poem. Back matter is generous, including author notes, further information, credits for both text sections and art, a list of scientific names, and a selection of avian related sayings. With text that never talks down to its audience, this makes an ideal choice for family sharing or classroom browsing.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Also written by Heidi E. Y. Stemple, Adam Stemple, and Jason Stemple. This handsome compendium contains information on bird anatomy, nest building, flight, habitat, migration, songs, and more, as well as poems and stories about birds from cultures around the world. Illustrated with outstanding color photographs and a few Audubon paintings, the volume should engage both serious birders and casual browsers, and would be useful for science curriculums and classroom sharing. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Yolen and her three children celebrate birds with a lavishly illustrated compendium of facts, photographs, and poetry.This lovingly compiled collection begins with a lengthy section of articles describing birds, their anatomy, and their nests, and it ends with suggestions for attracting birds to your backyard. In between are chapters about prehistoric birds (dinosaurs), birds in history, state birds (each with a full-page photograph and two fast facts), listening to birds, looking at birds, bird migration, saving species, bird records, birds in the arts and in story, and citizen science. The authors of each text piece, song, and poem are identified in the backmatter; photo credits show that these splendid images come from around the world. There's even a list of the scientific names of the birds in order of their appearance in the text. Dedicated to Yolen's husband and the Stemples' father, David Stemple, an ardent birder and bird-song recordist, this oversized volume is a treat to look at and to read. It includes a list of films to watch ("Birds are notoriously difficult to train to perform on stage or screen"), nicely retold myths and fables from around the world (with a map), two Audubon paintings, and carefully crafted poems including one about flock names. As is characteristic of National Geographic publications, the plentiful photographs are well-chosen and beautifully reproduced. A treasure for browsers and bird lovers everywhere. (authors' notes, acknowledgements, find out more, index) (Nonfiction. 8-adult)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

This tribute to birds-created by Yolen and her three adult children-fuses poetry, prose, and ornithology. Topics include birds in literature and the arts, bird records and conservation, and bird watching. The crisp nature photography features dozens of species, appearing singly or in flocks, midmigration or nesting. Each author contributes to the informative prose sections. Adam Stemple discusses the dodo-s extinction, while Yolen responds to the question, -How do birds know where they-re going?- Yolen and Heidi Stemple also contribute pieces of their original poetry: -This land still/ belongs to the birds./ Who take to the sky,/ the oceans,/ and back to the land,- Stemple writes. Yolen dedicates the informative and lyrical treasury to her late husband, David W. Stemple, who passed his love of birds along to his family. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)