What do you think?
Rate this book
Bring On the Birds
Birds come in all sorts of interesting shapes, sizes, and colors and many of them can do amazing things as well. Can you imagine...
Dancing birds,
Diving birds,
Hanging birds,
Hiding birds...
They're all real!
In her latest book, noted author-illustrator Susan Stockdale introduces young readers to both exotic and familiar birds in energetic rhyming text. The bright, bold colors and crisp, clean lines of Stockdale's birds, depicted in their natural habitats, can't help but grab your attention. An afterword identifies each animal and tells a little bit about it and where it lives.
Dancing birds,
Diving birds,
Hanging birds,
Hiding birds...
They're all real!
In her latest book, noted author-illustrator Susan Stockdale introduces young readers to both exotic and familiar birds in energetic rhyming text. The bright, bold colors and crisp, clean lines of Stockdale's birds, depicted in their natural habitats, can't help but grab your attention. An afterword identifies each animal and tells a little bit about it and where it lives.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2011
59 people want to read
About the author
Susan Stockdale
21 books14 followersSusan Stockdale, a former textile designer for the apparel industry, is the author-illustrator of critically acclaimed picture books that celebrate nature including Fabulous Fishes, Stripes of All Types and Fantastic Flowers. Her books have won a variety of awards such as the ALSC Notable Children’s Book, NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts, NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12, and the Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year.
.
Stockdale’s vibrant illustrations and engaging prose win praise. The Washington Post wrote “If the paintings are the feast, Stockdale’s words are the dessert.” Her most recent book is Don't Eat the Cleaners!
.
.
Stockdale’s vibrant illustrations and engaging prose win praise. The Washington Post wrote “If the paintings are the feast, Stockdale’s words are the dessert.” Her most recent book is Don't Eat the Cleaners!
.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 14, 2012
Bring On the Birds by Susan Stockdale introduces young ornithologists to both exotic and familiar birds from around the world.
In rhyming text, Stockdale looks at a wide variety of birds. They include a Great Horned Owl, Whooping Crane, Great Frigatebird, Blue-footed Booby, Atlantic Puffin, Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Blue Bird-of-Paradise, White-tailed Ptarmigan, Kell-billed Toucan, Broad-tailed Hummingvird, Ruffled Grouse, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Black Skimmer, Adelie Penguin, Greater Roadrunner, Red-billed Oxpecker, Ostrich, Indigo Bunting, Great Blue Heron and American Robin. Despite their differences in color, size and shape, all have feathers and are hatched from eggs.
The simple rhyming text features a large font, making this a choice for beginning readers. Most birds are unnamed in the main text. They are each identified by name with a very brief description, including their general range, in the back of the book. A bibliography is included.
Stockdale's illustrations were created in acrylic on paper. Some details of their habitat are pictured, such as the rocky terrain of the puffins, the roadrunner catching a lizard, and the Red-billed Oxpecker riding on a giraffe's neck. My favorite images include the birds the mentioned above, plus the cover picture, the owl, the frigatebird, the herons, woodpecker, bird-of-paradise, ostriches and robins.
This is a simple introduction the wide variety of birds in our world. This would be fun as a storytime read-aloud for pre-schoolers paired with Birds by Kevin Henkes. Recommended for school and public library collections.
For ages 2.5 to 5, birds, rhymes, poetry, science, nature, habitats, and fans of Susan Stockdale.
In rhyming text, Stockdale looks at a wide variety of birds. They include a Great Horned Owl, Whooping Crane, Great Frigatebird, Blue-footed Booby, Atlantic Puffin, Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Blue Bird-of-Paradise, White-tailed Ptarmigan, Kell-billed Toucan, Broad-tailed Hummingvird, Ruffled Grouse, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Black Skimmer, Adelie Penguin, Greater Roadrunner, Red-billed Oxpecker, Ostrich, Indigo Bunting, Great Blue Heron and American Robin. Despite their differences in color, size and shape, all have feathers and are hatched from eggs.
The simple rhyming text features a large font, making this a choice for beginning readers. Most birds are unnamed in the main text. They are each identified by name with a very brief description, including their general range, in the back of the book. A bibliography is included.
Stockdale's illustrations were created in acrylic on paper. Some details of their habitat are pictured, such as the rocky terrain of the puffins, the roadrunner catching a lizard, and the Red-billed Oxpecker riding on a giraffe's neck. My favorite images include the birds the mentioned above, plus the cover picture, the owl, the frigatebird, the herons, woodpecker, bird-of-paradise, ostriches and robins.
This is a simple introduction the wide variety of birds in our world. This would be fun as a storytime read-aloud for pre-schoolers paired with Birds by Kevin Henkes. Recommended for school and public library collections.
For ages 2.5 to 5, birds, rhymes, poetry, science, nature, habitats, and fans of Susan Stockdale.
June 11, 2021
I'm going to check this right back in and send it back to the owning library without taking it home. I'm a little sad about that. But the book doesn't have the official name of all the birds. My son is 2 1/2. He's exceptionally interested in the actual names of things. Giving him a generic answer won't do. I don't know the names of many of the birds and short of putting a sticky note on the page so I know the name of the bird, I'll get frustrated as hell reading it to him. It wouldn't have detracted from the art to list the name of the bird somewhere, even if just in small print for the parent to glance at when their inquisitive child asks what kind of bird it is. I guess I'll just keep letting him flip through my actual bird identification books :/
March 16, 2012
Really great illustrations.
July 29, 2014
This bright, vibrant book shares birds from all over the world. With a bit in the back to identify each and every one. This is an easy and excellent resource for storytelling.
June 11, 2021
I like the arrangement: The 'story' of the main text can be enjoyed without distractions, and the birds closely examined while reading through. Meanwhile, readers could choose to test themselves. Then, at the end, they can see which ones they recognized, by using the notes as an 'answer key.' They could even reread the book later and see which ones they now remember better.
For Birds theme in Children's books group, June 2021.
For Birds theme in Children's books group, June 2021.
March 13, 2023
This is a great read aloud for younger children. The pages are large and thus the text and pictures are big! With just short descriptive words per page for each bird being featured, it makes for an easy read aloud with lots of extra chat on the pictures.
June 26, 2017
In the rhythmic, rhyming verse the author describes all the types of birds from flying, riding, running, pecking and swimming and what they all share in common.
March 20, 2019
Beautiful pictures, simple words, quite enjoyable
October 25, 2019
Bright, accurate (if simplified) pictures and simple rhyming text. A delightful gift / read for nature fans.
December 11, 2019
This book depicts different types of birds.
January 31, 2025
A simply yet colorful book talking about different types of birds. I especially liked the page at the back of the book giving just a little more information about each type of bird.
September 22, 2025
at first i was a bit disappointed thinking the names of the birds were not mentioned along with the pictures, but was happy to find them at the back of the book.
October 1, 2014
Summary: This is a simple, easy to read text that gets right to the point. In context, birds are all unique and different in their own way. The author uses a simple, rhyming text to show the differences between birds in a fun way. This book shows children that birds come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and also do amazing things! Children will get a look at birds that they are familiar with as well as exotic (new) birds that they never saw before.
Personal Response/Critical Response: This would be a great book to use in a Kindergarten classroom when first introducing birds to your students. It’s simple and to the point but also is fun and intriguing to young learners. I also believe they children respond quite well to rhyming texts because they are very catchy and entertaining—alluring to the ear.
Description of Illustrations: I love the illustrations used in this book. They are simple just like the text. Although they are simple, I like this. I like this because children can relate to these drawings and feel like they can draw like this too or close to it. The illustrations are bright and bold, crisp, and clean.
Classroom Connections: I will use this book to introduce birds in my classroom—it’s simple. After reading this book aloud to my classroom, I will have my students either draw their favorite bird or make up a bird that they find interesting—using their creativity. Under each picture, they will write something that that bird does or something interesting about the bird in how it looks. This activity will relate back to the book but also engage your students in art and literacy and using their own creativity.
Personal Response/Critical Response: This would be a great book to use in a Kindergarten classroom when first introducing birds to your students. It’s simple and to the point but also is fun and intriguing to young learners. I also believe they children respond quite well to rhyming texts because they are very catchy and entertaining—alluring to the ear.
Description of Illustrations: I love the illustrations used in this book. They are simple just like the text. Although they are simple, I like this. I like this because children can relate to these drawings and feel like they can draw like this too or close to it. The illustrations are bright and bold, crisp, and clean.
Classroom Connections: I will use this book to introduce birds in my classroom—it’s simple. After reading this book aloud to my classroom, I will have my students either draw their favorite bird or make up a bird that they find interesting—using their creativity. Under each picture, they will write something that that bird does or something interesting about the bird in how it looks. This activity will relate back to the book but also engage your students in art and literacy and using their own creativity.
October 20, 2014
Bring on the birds is a nonfiction book about birds. This book uses rhyming and vibrant colors to introduce familiar and exotic birds to children. This book shows children that birds come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
This book would be good to use in a kindergarten classroom when introducing a section on birds. This book could lead to many other different fiction and nonfiction books about birds. After reading this story to my class, I would compare and contrast the birds in the story. It would also be interesting to have the children make birds out of construction paper. This would allow my students to use their own creativity in the classroom.
This book may also be used to examine diversity in the environment. This would be the most basic level to explain to young children that not even one person or animal is the same. This book will be in my classroom library in the future.
This book would be good to use in a kindergarten classroom when introducing a section on birds. This book could lead to many other different fiction and nonfiction books about birds. After reading this story to my class, I would compare and contrast the birds in the story. It would also be interesting to have the children make birds out of construction paper. This would allow my students to use their own creativity in the classroom.
This book may also be used to examine diversity in the environment. This would be the most basic level to explain to young children that not even one person or animal is the same. This book will be in my classroom library in the future.
June 9, 2011
This is a bright and bold picture book about birds. Written in simple, rhyming text, the book is a celebration of the diversity of birds around the world. It shows birds of different sizes, colors and habitats. Some are active, others sitting, and still others hang upside down. There is a section at the end of the book that has more information on each bird as well as a list of nonfiction titles about birds for children to explore.
The text here is so simple that it glides past. The rhythm and rhyme is gentle and unifies the book. The illustrations are the glory of the book offering simple backgrounds that the birds shine against. Even in their simplicity, the illustrations manage to convey the birds’ habitat and size.
Definitely not for the birds, this is a very successful nonfiction picture book for young readers. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
The text here is so simple that it glides past. The rhythm and rhyme is gentle and unifies the book. The illustrations are the glory of the book offering simple backgrounds that the birds shine against. Even in their simplicity, the illustrations manage to convey the birds’ habitat and size.
Definitely not for the birds, this is a very successful nonfiction picture book for young readers. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
February 10, 2014
Bring On the Birds
Author and Illustrator: Susan Stockdale
Reading Level: Ages 5-8
Stockdale, Susan (2011) Bring on the Birds Atlanta: Peachtree publishers
Bring On the Birds is a poetic, rhyming book at its core. It describes the actions, nature, and/or physical attributes of various species of birds. At the end of the book, the last few pages are dedicated to explaining their similarities. For example: They all have feathers. The back of the book also has a detailed list of the species that are mentioned and illustrated throughout the book, so I find this book to be delightfully educational. I feel an inquisitive child would truly enjoy this one.
Also, the illustrations are quite nice and interestingly stylized. the book is in hardback, which always amps up the appeal of a book. Overall, it was a nice read. I feel children would easily enjoy this one.
Author and Illustrator: Susan Stockdale
Reading Level: Ages 5-8
Stockdale, Susan (2011) Bring on the Birds Atlanta: Peachtree publishers
Bring On the Birds is a poetic, rhyming book at its core. It describes the actions, nature, and/or physical attributes of various species of birds. At the end of the book, the last few pages are dedicated to explaining their similarities. For example: They all have feathers. The back of the book also has a detailed list of the species that are mentioned and illustrated throughout the book, so I find this book to be delightfully educational. I feel an inquisitive child would truly enjoy this one.
Also, the illustrations are quite nice and interestingly stylized. the book is in hardback, which always amps up the appeal of a book. Overall, it was a nice read. I feel children would easily enjoy this one.
October 17, 2012
"Bring on the Birds" by Susan Stockdale is an amazing candidate for the 2012 Caldecott Award. I chose to read this book because the cover alone really caught my attention. I think the amazing illustrations really would compete well for this award. The book is extremely catchy and the rhyming adds a more "wow" factor to the overall read. I really enjoyed looking at the illustrations and found them extremely colorful, bright, and appealing. This book not only would appeal to younger aged students but I think it could even work for those of older age. I enjoyed reading about the different types of birds and the way they interact! It could be very entertaining to students and I strongly recommend this book to students!
September 27, 2013
This book is perfect for a young child interested in animals and nature. Between the bright and detailed illustrations and the melodic rhyming scheme, this book should keep a child's interest for a long time.
The text is simple enough for children and any unclear words are illustrated clearly in the text (e.g. "swooping birds" is complimented with a swooping owl). The flow of the words is very natural. The words can almost be sung as easily as they can be read.
Susan Stockdale's interest in science and accuracy means that all the pictures are scientifically accurate. All of the plants and birds in a single picture all cohabit the environment pictured. The back of the book has factual blurbs about each bird and a list of resources that Stockdale used to complete the book.
The text is simple enough for children and any unclear words are illustrated clearly in the text (e.g. "swooping birds" is complimented with a swooping owl). The flow of the words is very natural. The words can almost be sung as easily as they can be read.
Susan Stockdale's interest in science and accuracy means that all the pictures are scientifically accurate. All of the plants and birds in a single picture all cohabit the environment pictured. The back of the book has factual blurbs about each bird and a list of resources that Stockdale used to complete the book.
July 4, 2011
A few weeks ago, a catalog from "Peachtree Publishers came across my desk. I was enticed to read several of the picture books from this publisher and so far this is my favorite. It is a glorious introduction to birds of the world. Even the very young will be engaged by the colorful illustrations and the rhyming text that celebrates, "Swooping birds, whooping birds, birds with puffy chests..." and so many more. At the end of the book is a page that lists all the birds in the book, some of their habits, and where they can be found, making this a book that will be enjoyed for many years.
Read
November 12, 2014Bring On the Birds by Susan Stockdale is a beautiful, bright non-fiction picture book about birds appropriate for ages 2 -4. This book celebrates, in simple rhyming words, all the different types around the world. It shows the many environments each bird lives in, how they live and what they look like. Included at the end of the book is a section that includes more information on each bird as well as other non-fictions titles for children to expand and explore. This book is great to use as an introduction in the classroom to how different animals, in this case birds, live in different places called habitats.
September 27, 2011
Fabulous rhyme and gorgeous illustrations work together well in this book. The simple rhymes and the bright pictures would make this an excellent addition to story time - particularly a bird-themed story time. Young bird enthusiasts should also enjoy this on their own, and will appreciate the short descriptions of each illustrated bird in the back matter. Ms. Stockdale has selected both familiar and unique birds, so young researchers may find themselves wishing to learn more about some of the birds they do not recognize.
November 5, 2014
This nonfiction book Bring On the Birds was very informational and colorful. The colors in this book are going to grab the attention of readers very easily. The information in this book is really great it explains so much about so many different birds. I think that some students will relate to some of the birds and understand them. This book could be used to help teach students about writing in a descriptive way. This book describes so much in so much detail it really paints a great picture. Bring on the birds would be a great book to read to students and keep them actively engaged.
July 11, 2011
Birds of every size, shape, and hue are celebrated in rhyming text and brightly-colored illustrations. The book is fun to read aloud and examine for the many different types of birds that are highlighted. It made me want to look at it again and again and stop to think about the birds in the pictures. Backmatter includes an afterword that gives additional information about each bird and its habitat.
January 4, 2013
What I thought: I think I’ve found another author/illustrator that I like as much as Cathryn & John Sill. The simple text and colorful illustration combine to entertain and educate children about birds. The afterward provides just enough information to whet the kids’ appetites for more bird books. It was hard to pick a favorite illustration, but I really like the fluffy crests.
Story Time Themes: Birds
Story Time Themes: Birds
February 23, 2014
My five-year-old son picked out this book from our library this week.
I didn't expect much from this book; the title doesn't exactly "sing", but it is so worth a read.
The text is simple and not really anything special, which makes it perfect. This book is (almost) all about the illustrations. And the illustrations are spectacular. The illustration are vibrant. The illustrations are phenomenal. The illustrations "sing".
I didn't expect much from this book; the title doesn't exactly "sing", but it is so worth a read.
The text is simple and not really anything special, which makes it perfect. This book is (almost) all about the illustrations. And the illustrations are spectacular. The illustration are vibrant. The illustrations are phenomenal. The illustrations "sing".
August 9, 2011
What a great way to introduce readers to the exotic and familiar birds in s simple rhyming text, with vibrant and exciting colors. Towards the end of the story, Susan Stockdale gives an educational background and descriptive text of the different type of birds she listed in her book. A must have for classroom teaching.
June 26, 2015
Pros: The book shows the wide variety of birds; it flowed nicely. At the end of the book, it states that, "All of them have feathers, and are all hatched from eggs."
Cons: Even though the illustrations were colorful, I think Susan Stockdale should have focused on more detail with the drawings to show the magnificence of birds.
Cons: Even though the illustrations were colorful, I think Susan Stockdale should have focused on more detail with the drawings to show the magnificence of birds.
July 23, 2015
2012 ALA Notable Book
Perfect for story times with littles. The rhyme and pacing in this book are done exceptionally well, boiling down the big idea of lots of different types of birds into simple comparisons with beautiful, colorful illustrations. The back has a photo glossary of the birds depicted as well as further reading to learn more about birds.
Perfect for story times with littles. The rhyme and pacing in this book are done exceptionally well, boiling down the big idea of lots of different types of birds into simple comparisons with beautiful, colorful illustrations. The back has a photo glossary of the birds depicted as well as further reading to learn more about birds.
November 28, 2011
preS-gr2/3
Cut paper illustrates this rhymed book about all different kinds of birds. At the end, more detail is next to thumb nails of the original pages. Good for storytime. Could use it with Nothing Like a Puffin, though I just did that one for feet....:)
Cut paper illustrates this rhymed book about all different kinds of birds. At the end, more detail is next to thumb nails of the original pages. Good for storytime. Could use it with Nothing Like a Puffin, though I just did that one for feet....:)
January 10, 2012
It was alright. This might be better for a parent reading to their kids, instead of a large group. The flow gets interrupted by explaining what a blue-footed booby is, and then getting over the shrieks of laughter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews