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Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?
Woodpecker calls from a tree, "cuk-cuk-cuk." Starling sings, "whistle-ee-wee." But have you heard the nesting bird? In this book, we hear all the different bird calls in counterpoint to the pervasive quiet of a mama bird waiting for her eggs to hatch. Fun and informative back matter takes the shape of an interview so that readers learn more right from the bird's bill. Ken Pak's lively illustrations, paired with Rita Gray's words, render a visual and sonorous picture book to be enjoyed by young naturalists.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 18, 2014
1 person is currently reading
443 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
March 19, 2021
Exploring the calls of various avian species, the gently rhyming narrative of this lovely work of picture-book natural history continually returns to the question of the nesting bird - a robin - and what sound she makes. Her silence reveals something to the attentive listener and reader: namely, that she is sitting upon her eggs. Eventually, of course, there will be something to hear, as the baby birds begin to hatch...
I appreciated the structure of author Rita Gray's text in Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?, as it highlights the calls of various birds, using both descriptive text and onomatopoeia, while continually returning to the titular question about the nesting bird. This really drives home the central message here, about nesting birds staying quiet, in order to protect their eggs and baby birds. The afterword, written as an interview with one such bird, provides more detailed information about this subject. The accompanying artwork from Kenard Pak is lovely, created using a subtle earthy palette, and beautifully capturing the delicate charm of each bird depicted. All in all, a sweet little book, one which communicates its informational message in an engaging way, and one that I would recommend to young bird and nature lovers.
I appreciated the structure of author Rita Gray's text in Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?, as it highlights the calls of various birds, using both descriptive text and onomatopoeia, while continually returning to the titular question about the nesting bird. This really drives home the central message here, about nesting birds staying quiet, in order to protect their eggs and baby birds. The afterword, written as an interview with one such bird, provides more detailed information about this subject. The accompanying artwork from Kenard Pak is lovely, created using a subtle earthy palette, and beautifully capturing the delicate charm of each bird depicted. All in all, a sweet little book, one which communicates its informational message in an engaging way, and one that I would recommend to young bird and nature lovers.
March 24, 2014
This book is not recommended for karen because it is about birds.
It is recommended for children who like nature or people who are trying to teach children about birding.
The illustrations are simple and not-brightly-colored; the illustrations are painted in muted, earthen tones with lots of browns and mossy greens, some quiet orangey reds, and soft yellows. It's pleasing to the eye, not garish. Elegant but not hoity-toity.
The birds are recognizable as creatures that are in our own backyards and the whole book has the feeling of a childhood summer afternoon.
Also, in regard to the title, the first thing that went through my mind: http://youtu.be/2WNrx2jq184
It is recommended for children who like nature or people who are trying to teach children about birding.
The illustrations are simple and not-brightly-colored; the illustrations are painted in muted, earthen tones with lots of browns and mossy greens, some quiet orangey reds, and soft yellows. It's pleasing to the eye, not garish. Elegant but not hoity-toity.
The birds are recognizable as creatures that are in our own backyards and the whole book has the feeling of a childhood summer afternoon.
Also, in regard to the title, the first thing that went through my mind: http://youtu.be/2WNrx2jq184
August 15, 2020
8/15/20 Read with Naomi, Julia, and Riley
October 27, 2016
This is a wonderful tale about a variety of birds, their songs, and their amazing skills of making nests.
April 10, 2017
It's true. A nesting bird is totally quiet! I've witnessed lots of nesting birds outside my window and until those eggs hatch, not a peep! This is a great book to introduce children to the sounds birds make in the wild. i am sure you'll find at least one bird in this book that fits a bird living in your area! Also, the illustrations were wonderful! A real gem!
March 9, 2020
Perfect for preschoolers
September 1, 2014
Lovely watercolor and digital media in muted colors. Contrasts the songs and calls of various birds with the silent robin on the nest; quiet because she does not want to attract predators. The pages of the book get progressively darker as the story moves from day to night. The last couple of pages contain a Q & A between the reader and the robin, asking why the robin is quiet and several other questions. The author includes a website where readers can listen to the songs and calls of robins. For other bird songs and calls, readers can go to www.allaboutbirds.org.
July 31, 2014
love the muted palette, natural tones
love the bird sounds throughout; the specific, different species of birds, the nesting robin
love the Q&A with the robin in the back (A word with the bird), in which she answers questions like Why are you so quiet? and Do you ever leave the nest?
and I like the rhymes too
Cardinal wears a pointy hat.
cheer-cheer-cheer0
purdy-purdy-purdy
Chickadee is an acrobat.
chick-a-dee-dee-dee
(sounds are in a different font, so easily distinguishable)
great varied perspectives too -- up close, far away, at night . . .
love the bird sounds throughout; the specific, different species of birds, the nesting robin
love the Q&A with the robin in the back (A word with the bird), in which she answers questions like Why are you so quiet? and Do you ever leave the nest?
and I like the rhymes too
Cardinal wears a pointy hat.
cheer-cheer-cheer0
purdy-purdy-purdy
Chickadee is an acrobat.
chick-a-dee-dee-dee
(sounds are in a different font, so easily distinguishable)
great varied perspectives too -- up close, far away, at night . . .
January 3, 2015
First of all, the illustrations are SUPER John Klassen-y. The color palette is so similar to Sam and Dave Dig a Hole that these books could be siblings.
This book has lots and lots of onomatopoeia birdsong, which I think would make it fun read-aloud if you're up for that kind of thing. It's relatively rare to find a good non-fiction picture book for story time, but this would work for preschoolers.
This book has lots and lots of onomatopoeia birdsong, which I think would make it fun read-aloud if you're up for that kind of thing. It's relatively rare to find a good non-fiction picture book for story time, but this would work for preschoolers.
February 25, 2014
A charming, beautifully illustrated book for budding young ornithologists.
September 13, 2017
Reading this picture book, I couldn't help but compare Renard Pak's illustrations to Charley Harper's - though I do think it is hard to illustrate birds without being influenced by Charley Harper's illustrations which were mind-blowingly traditionally illustrated. If I tried to do anything Charley Harper did, it would just be a wobbly, shaky blob, but thanks to digital illustration, Pak didn't have to do anything of the sort.
While I am warming to digital illustration; liking it much more than I did last year, I do think being able to tell what sort of materials the artist used does bring you out of the experience of reading for a bit. I do think Pak brings both minimalism and subtle detail to the birds, as well as emphasizing their features to entertain children.
I do like however - how Pak changes round his style and grows per each picture book he does, while I have only seen two of his picture books so far, I would like to see how much he changes in the future, as he is slowly becoming one of my favourite illustrators in the industry.
Rita Gray's writing wasn't anything new, and I feel like this wouldn't exactly excite young children, but the writing at the end where Gray takes the perspective of a mother Robin was truly engaging and I would have liked to see more of that.
While I am warming to digital illustration; liking it much more than I did last year, I do think being able to tell what sort of materials the artist used does bring you out of the experience of reading for a bit. I do think Pak brings both minimalism and subtle detail to the birds, as well as emphasizing their features to entertain children.
I do like however - how Pak changes round his style and grows per each picture book he does, while I have only seen two of his picture books so far, I would like to see how much he changes in the future, as he is slowly becoming one of my favourite illustrators in the industry.
Rita Gray's writing wasn't anything new, and I feel like this wouldn't exactly excite young children, but the writing at the end where Gray takes the perspective of a mother Robin was truly engaging and I would have liked to see more of that.
December 29, 2020
An automatic new-to-me favorite picture book especially after listening to the musical accompaniment from Luiko on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx3MX.... Search the book title and Luiko for ease in finding. ⠀
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What a sweet book with beauitful illustrations especially when combined with this song. The book is an opportunity for children to listen to rythming text that feels natural (good phonological awareness, a preliteracy skill) and to learn different names for birds throughout the book. ⠀
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The repetition “Have you heard the nesting bird?” can be combined with hand to ear listening movement to encourage active listening. ⠀
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Would be sweet to read before or during a walk or hike while looking out for birds ❤️ Children could also pick out their favorite bird in the book to draw and put up on display in their window. Or make their own bird feeders to hand on trees outside.
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What a sweet book with beauitful illustrations especially when combined with this song. The book is an opportunity for children to listen to rythming text that feels natural (good phonological awareness, a preliteracy skill) and to learn different names for birds throughout the book. ⠀
⠀
The repetition “Have you heard the nesting bird?” can be combined with hand to ear listening movement to encourage active listening. ⠀
⠀
Would be sweet to read before or during a walk or hike while looking out for birds ❤️ Children could also pick out their favorite bird in the book to draw and put up on display in their window. Or make their own bird feeders to hand on trees outside.
January 30, 2018
This book does a wonderful job of showcasing different species and the sounds they make, in contrast to the quiet nesting bird. This would make a great read aloud because it gives the reader so many opportunities to change voice volume and tone. The chance to bring this story to life is right there on every page. The artwork is playfully beautiful. There is even a little Q&A with the nesting bird at the end of the story. This seems like a book to not only entertain kids but get them interested in paying more attention to birds.
June 23, 2017
First, I love the paper, the sheer weight and feel of it. Ahhh. Lovely illustrations and a nice read-aloud text. Perfect for bird-lovers. It fun to make the various birdsongs when you read it out loud with young listeners. The earthy tones in the illos are perfectly suited to the text, warm and full of life. The factoids at the end are an extra treat. Great for younger classes studying birds, or just for reading at home.
October 13, 2017
Another gorgeous Kenard Pak illustrated book with simple yet informative words by Rita Gray.
It's not easy to find a picture book with bird calls, intertwined in the story we learn about the how the Robin nests and does she make a sound while nesting? Loved this book as a story and for learning about birds in general. A beautiful pairing with Emily Dickinson's poem "The Robin is the One" to bring in spring.
It's not easy to find a picture book with bird calls, intertwined in the story we learn about the how the Robin nests and does she make a sound while nesting? Loved this book as a story and for learning about birds in general. A beautiful pairing with Emily Dickinson's poem "The Robin is the One" to bring in spring.
June 2, 2023
This rhyming story is spare and lyrical, with additional text that renders each featured bird’s song or call. The art is stunning. All in, this is a beautiful book that’s educational too, suited for kids as young as three or so. It would be great fun to follow a reading with recorded songs played from one of the free bird ID apps, such as Audubon’s or the Merlin app from the Cornell Ornithology Lab.
June 4, 2019
Gorgeous illustrations and a sing-song prose lead the reader through the bird calls of many birds and answer the question as to why the nesting bird remains silent. This picture book will especially appeal to little bird lovers but will delight almost children with its bird calls. Beautiful and also a good teaching book!
August 28, 2020
This book came along with one of our Kola Krates that looked into springtime. Have You Heard the Nesting Bird examines how different birds communicate, but not the nesting bird. She doesn't sing or call but sits quietly. Why? At the end of the book, there are more fun facts about Robins and how their behavior helps to keep them and their babies alive.
May 23, 2017
I picked this up on a whim when it came through circulation, and I'm so glad I did! What a great way to learn the common American bird calls. Also, the appendix "interview" with the robin was a really cute touch.
December 20, 2017
A toddler and up book about a young child finding a very quiet nest and what bird is inside it. All the other birds make noise but this one doesn't. love the question and ansewer at the end with the nesting bird.
September 19, 2018
A wonderfully written and illustrated story about a nesting robin. Other birds are singing throughout the story, each one with an accurate and memorable phrase to remember the song. Great for young children!
December 12, 2018
Picture Book / Informational 2014
This book takes you through the different bird calls and and names of birds, while explaining what happens while a mama bird is nesting. I would read this to my classroom during the spring to teach them about what's happening up in their trees!
This book takes you through the different bird calls and and names of birds, while explaining what happens while a mama bird is nesting. I would read this to my classroom during the spring to teach them about what's happening up in their trees!
September 15, 2021
Have You Heard the Nesting Bird? is a charming book about different songs that birds sing. Throughout the book, the characters wonder why the nesting bird isn’t making a sound. This story is great for kids curious about birds.
July 18, 2017
This book is lovely to look at, and fun to read -- whether you are an eight-year-old, or the eight-year-old's parent. And the foster kittens seemed very interested, too.
August 29, 2017
Great informational picture book!
October 19, 2017
Lovely illustrations. Children enjoy repeating the different bird songs. The end of the book has interesting questions and answers that will interest older children.
January 5, 2018
Excellent model of inquiry and observation skills for very young scientists.
January 25, 2018
Great book for a spring storytime.
February 19, 2018
I love the art style and this one is really interesting, but I think it might take a braver woman than me to do this for storytime.
June 19, 2018
Birds are fascinating with their different songs and habits, but a bird on a nest is very quiet. In this book we learn why and find out more interesting facts. Nice illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews