Vulture View

by April Pulley Sayre, Steve Jenkins (Illustrator)

Turkey vultures soar on the balmy air, looking for their next stinky feast. These birds don't hunt—they like their food to be already dead, and their eating habits serve a very important ecological role. Vultures are part of nature's clean-up crew.

In her signature poetic, energetic style, acclaimed nature writer April Pulley Sayre introduces young readers to the world of the turkey vulture. The gorgeous illustrations by Caldecott Honor–winning artist Steve Jenkins capture these birds in all their surprising majesty.

Vulture View is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2007

About the author

April Pulley Sayre was an award-winning children’s book author of over 55 natural history books for children and adults. Her read-aloud nonfiction books, known for their lyricism and scientific precision, have been translated into French, Dutch, Japanese, and Korean. She is best known for pioneering literary ways to immerse young readers in natural events via creative storytelling and unusual perspectives.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last few weeks have brought some newcomers to my neighborhood - a flock wake (or committee, kettle, venue, or volt) of 20 or more turkey vultures have started perching ominously in nearby trees. After a hard day's work in the nearby landfill (two miles away as the crow buzzard flies), these birds like nothing more than to gather together on the uppermost branches, and stare down with beady little eyes as I walk by with my dog.



I have to admit that I've been staring right back at them, so I was thrilled to find this book at the library. Sayre presents a fascinating and colorful look at these rather unappealing creatures. Her book, with simple text aimed at younger readers, features stunning collage illustrations by Steve Jenkins.



There are two info-packed pages at the end of the book that offer the real dirt on vultures. Here, we learn that the turkey vulture, while ungainly on the ground, is magnificently graceful while soaring in the sky.



The birds' claws are too weak for grasping and killing prey, so they rely on scavenging the dead. Scientists aren't completely sure how vultures are able to eat rotten food that would sicken other animals. Despite their unusual diet, vultures are very clean. And, both male and female keep the eggs warm and feed the young.

Though it may seem an odd book to read to children, it's a nice ode to one of nature's unsung and unappreciated creatures.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a team of star creators! As I suspected, it's aimed at a younger audience than I usually read... I focus on NF for ages 7-11, but this could be enjoyed by those age 3. Notes in the back enrich, but admit that not nearly enough is actually known about turkey vultures so maybe young readers can grow up to investigate them. They're certainly not hard to find! I did learn that some migrate to South America. More should be known, as they're a species fairly likely to survive climate change.

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple and poetic text teaches about vultures who "catch a ride on warming air" and "seek for foods that reek" such as a rotten, stinky dead deer. The text makes this accessible for very beginning readers, yet still teaches interesting concepts for more advanced readers. An author's note at the end includes much more detail about the turkey vulture. Did you know that five states have festivals that celebrate the turkey vulture? I had no idea. As always, Steve Jenkins' illustrations are full of texture and a treat to look at.

[Melissa Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's no wonder that this book was selected as an ALA Geisel Honor title. The text is poetic, but not regularly rhyming, in a way that rolls of the tounge but also offers some fun rhythmic surprises. What other author could make vultures so much fun to read about? The dynamic cut-paper collage art enhances the text, making this book a must read.

[Kimberly Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous illustrations, a great approach to a "rotten" topic with very interesting end matter. Well done!

[Tori Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Vulture View" by April Pulley Sayre is a captivating and educational exploration of the often misunderstood vulture. Through stunning photographs and informative text, Sayre introduces readers to the fascinating world of these scavengers and highlights their important role in the ecosystem. From their unique adaptations for survival to their essential role in cleaning up carrion, "Vulture View" offers readers a new perspective on these often maligned birds. Sayre's engaging writing style and beautiful imagery make this book both entertaining and informative, making it an excellent choice for young nature enthusiasts and budding scientists. With its celebration of nature's diversity and the interconnectedness of life, "Vulture View" is a captivating read that will leave readers with a newfound appreciation for vultures and the natural world.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, lyrical text combines with collage illustration to give a very basic introduction to vultures - how they live and what they eat. There's a spread at the back with a little more information if you want to dig deeper, but this book is a nice intro for the preschool crowd.

[c · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5) turkey vultures are the best 🥰

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The illustrations are gorgeous, and the text, while rhyming, is very informative, in simple terms. My favorite picture is the one where the turkey vultures are all resting in the tree for the night. Beautiful! The additional information about them at the end of the book was welcome, but the one piece of information left out, unless I missed it, was where they live. I'm assuming they live in the United States because at the end of the book it lists 5 turkey vulture festivals, all of them in the U.S. But do they live elsewhere? I'll have to look it up! This book was a 2008 Geisel Award honor book for easy readers, but I would have given it a Caldecott AND a Sibert Award as well. Highly recommended!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sayre's text reads almost like free verse poetry - it's not usually in couplets and it doesn't scan but there are rhymes and internal rhythms that make it a pleasure to read. The simple text would work as an easy reader for those moving up from the very easiest titles, but I don't think I would have even thought about that if it hadn't received a Geisel honor. There's information about vulture life packed into the narrative although some of it must be inferred. A longer note for independent readers is included at the back with more detailed and direct information on vulture habits. Steve Jenkins cut-paper collage illustrations are a treat as always - the textures he manages to get are just amazing.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. You don't usually get great non-fiction with great pictures and interesting facts. I see turkey vultures all the time..they are HUGE and EVERYWHERE. I learned that they have weak claws so they don't kill animals but will scanning on dead animals that have died from death, disease or another animal. When I read disease... I thought "How does the vulture not get sick" in the book it explains "they can safely eat food that would make a human sick. Scientist aren't sure sure how, but the vulture's body sterilizes the food killing off dangerous organism! " I think some biology research student has just found their master thesis. "Why don't turkey vulture get sick from diseased meat they may eat?" Nicely done. Well serving on the Theodore Seuss Giesel Honor Book

[Rachel Bayly]

Vulture View is an informational text about what turkey vultures do, especially how they find food and what they eat.

Vultures are a unique animal, but they are considered gross and scary. This book approaches the topic in a way that intrigues readers, and is kind of silly. The rhyming in the book encourages prediction and interaction as the book is read.

Illustrations: cut paper collage

Pulley Sayre, A. Ill: Jenkins, S. (2007). Vulture view. New York: Henry Holt and Co.

Tags: animals, birds, vultures, scavengers

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different. Interesting. Poetic, believe it or not. I now know more about vultures than I ever wanted to know. FYI - even though vultures eat rotten food, they keep themselves very clean! We borrowed this book from the library because we were planning on going to a raptors show at the audubon society. It rained very, very hard and we didn't go, but this book was definitely a good introduction to vultures.

[Kacie Fincher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the true story of a life of a vulture. Although vultures seem like an un-favored bird, this story put them in a good light as well as in a way that children will find interesting. The author describes how vultures go about living their day and how they find food. Now, vultures are a bit different than many birds because the food they prefer to eat is already dead. This book can be used in the classroom to begin a lesson in science or even a lesson on birds.

[Aubry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sayre, April Pulley (2007). Vulture View. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor

Choice Book

Vulture View takes the reader through the day in the life of a vulture. The colors are bold and bright, and most of the book is shown from the view of the vulture (hence the title). It is an interesting book that will teach students what vultures like to eat and where they sleep. It is an easy read with eye catching artwork.

[Ruthie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a thing for vultures (we have a turkey vulture cave near my house). They repulse and mesmerize me; they are good creatures forever associated with death.

This kid's book is an interesting introduction for young children about this bird's habits and necessary role on this earth. You can't hide the fact that these birds eat rotting flesh, but Vulture View does a good job making it not so traumatizing (sort of).
The fun facts at the end are an unexpected bonus.

[Major · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book uses poetry to teach children about Turkey vultures. The information is presented with simple text and interesting pictures. The information presented at the end of the book is fascinating. I was surprised to learn that there are Vulture celebrations across the country. What a cool way to learn about vultures!

[Kimberly Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a poetry book about the day in the life of turkey vultures. The beautiful bright collage pictures help tell the story about where they live, what they eat (EWWW!), and where they sleep. The last two pages of this book contain interesting facts about these majestic birds. This book can be used to teach poetry and animal science.

[Cammym · Rating 3 out of 5]

This repetitive rhyming book has collage-style illustrations. Though the vocabulary is simple, it contains content-rich information about vultures, and in the back of the book there is a section with more details about turkey vultures.

Beginning reader/picture book, non-fiction, animals, vultures. Geisel Honor Book.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

2008 Geisel Honor Award
Simple text that gives a lot of information about the turkey vulture. I did not know much about this animal, but from the text and the author's note in the back, I learned more than I thought! April Pulley Sayre has a great way with words for the young reader and Steve Jenkins' illustrations are always fun, yet comfortable to see.

[Sydney Martindale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the structure of this book. I like how it starts out with the sun rising and also ends when the sun rising. I think it is a good representation of a vulture's everyday life because it literally shows that it does it everyday. And all the different ways she describes the different scents has very rich vocabulary.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, vultures don't inspire poetic rapture. It was with this prejudice, that I first opened the book to read to my children. And, of course, they loved it. The gruesome bits were especially well-received.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never thought I'd read a beautiful, poetic book about . . . vultures. But I love Steve Jenkins' art and he can make anything beautiful. Just check out the second-to-last illustration of the vultures silhouetted against a red sky. Gorgeous!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm. Borrowed a copy from the local public library, very clear that this book had never been read before. Disappointing, because this is a beautiful book about vultures. The story of what vultures like to eat is told through simple, melodic text and cut-paper collage.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fabulous! If you have a child who is interested in animals and nature, I highly recommend this book. In addition to a wonderful way to teach children about how Turkey Vultures each & live, the illustrations are crisp and bright.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unusual since vultures are not cuddly or cute looking but gorgeous illustrations
Turkey vultures soar on the balmy air, looking for their next stinky feast. These birds don't hunt--they like their food to be already dead. Vultures are part of nature's cleanup crew"--Inside front dust jacket.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book from the library - rhyming text, good for perhaps a younger child, but since Charlotte loves raptors so much, we thought we'd give it a try. She warmed to it slowly, and would prefer to hear me read from the two pages of vulture information from the back of the book.

[Katielibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this style of paper collage illustration. We have several other books done in they same way. I usually think of vultures as gross and the book describes them in the same way-my kids loved it.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four or four point five for Steve Jenkin's illustrations. I love his artistic style.

And maybe even four for the text. It's nice and easy to read and beautifully written.

Only ... really? Why a book about vultures?



Oh, yes. Because kids are fascinated by gross or super ugly things.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book my 6 yr old as well as my twin 3 yr olds loved. A solid reading level 1 book, this cute story keeps all ages engaged with the bright colorful pictures and cute story. A great addition to any children's library.