Storybooks for Young Bird Lovers
My youngest son loves birds, but he doesn’t always want to read bird guides or other science-related books. He’s just a little too young for that. So I made an effort to find storybooks that featured birds, and these have been a hit with him. There’s also a couple of non-story books here that are great for young kids too. Feel free to leave your recommendations in the comments area too.
He’s already asked me to read this classic book about one hundred times. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is about Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, who are trying to find the perfect spot to build their nest. They finally find it in Boston, Massachusetts.
My son’s favorite bird is the black-capped chickadee, so Chickadee’s Message by Douglas Wood was a perfect fit for him. The story is based on a Lakota Indian legend. It’s about the resiliency of the human spirit and how the chickadee became the people’s messenger.
If you love Owl Moon, Jane Yolen also published this book of poetry about birds. Along with Ted Lewin’s gorgeous illustrations, it’s a lyrical book that you can savor for a long time.
I was so happy to receive this book by Jacqueline Davies as a present for my son who loves drawing birds too. I couldn’t let him go without learning about John James Audubon. It’s the most text-heavy book in this list, so it’s perfect for bird lovers of all ages.
If you have a child who likes reading about science, this book by Melissa Stewart is all about the importance of feathers and how birds use them.
This isn’t a storybook, but I’m including it here because it’s such a lovely book and my son loves it. Of course, you could just use an app, but there’s something fun about having a book that plays two hundred bird songs. The best part is that you can find used versions of these large, gorgeous books for a reasonable price.
