Backyard Birds of Summer

by Carol Lerner

"Focusing on birds that migrate to northern climes in the summer months, Lerner has created another lovely, informative title for budding ornithologists. As in Backyard Birds of Winter, she combines beautiful watercolor illustrations with lucid prose....A fine introduction; helpful tips on feeders, houses, and appropriate foods; and a list of suggested further readings are included. Careful scholarship and beauty of design make this a first purchase."--School Library Journal.

Genres: Animals, Birds, Childrens, Picture Books, Nonfiction

48 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Octavia Cade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am hesitant to say, of this bird guide for children, that occasional illustrations look a little weird about the face (especially as, living on the other side of the world, half these birds are not personally known to me)... but some of them look a little weird about the face. Others have delightful little faces, but it's not a model of artistic consistency is what I'm saying.

As a basic field guide for kids, albeit one that's limited to a few dozen summer migrants, it's easy to understand, and I do like that the illustrations show the birds at their exact size, no scaling up or down. The information's pretty limited, but then this is for beginner birdwatchers, and is more concerned with letting young readers know what food they can put out in their gardens to attract extra birds. I suppose if this book gets kids interested enough to offer up sunflower seeds and bits of fruit, then it's done its job and they can no doubt get more detailed guides from the library.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

On our way to a program at the library, my five-year-old son started asking me about birds. So, when we got to the library, I checked out this book.

The illustrations are beautifully done and make recognition easy, and the text was just the right length and information for a young reader/listener.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This absolutely the best children's guide book to birds I have ever read. Published as a large picture book it is full of great illustrations and detailed information. Organized by the sub-species of birds this is the perfect book for the budding birder.

[Emerson and Theodore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emerson skimmed this book. Again, probably too advanced. But very nice.