You Nest Here with Me

by Jane Yolen, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)

With rhyming text, this soothing bedtime book is an ode to baby birds everywhere and sleepy children home safe in their own beds. As a mother describes to her child how many species of birds nest, from pigeons on concrete ledges to owls in oak tree boles to swallows above barn doors. The soothing refrain of “you nest here with me” eases her little one and readers alike to slumber. Combining their poetic writing and their love of birding, mother and daughter Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple have written what is sure to become a bedtime classic.

Genres: Picture Books, Birds, Poetry, Animals, Childrens, Nature, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2015

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yolen and her daughter present a rhyming tale of a mother's love for her own daughter. Various birds are shown nesting in their favorite spots from high atop a fir tree to a sandy shore, but the mother reminds her girl - You nest here with me - a lovely sentiment which is made even more beautiful by Melissa Sweet's gorgeous watercolors.





I did catch one error, though. The cowbird who slips an egg into the cardinal's nest is a male, not a female. Oops!

[Terri Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely children's picture book, just like I always expect from Jane Yolen. It starts in a cozy house as a mom is putting her little girl to bed, telling her that she is the mom's little nestling. The child has a copy of this book and Mom reads it to her as they look outside at the quiet of the night. Each page shows a different type of mom bird from terns to eagles and shows the birds, their babies, and the kind of nest they have. A section at the back shows each bird with more info. This would be nice for homeschoolers and early grades teachers. The art is pretty. Even I felt safe, warm, and comforted reading this.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soothing rhythmical bedtime book about birds.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part non-fiction book about birds, part pure poetry, You Nest Here With Me is lovely. So many things went right with this story. Good information. Birds do not just nest in trees. Some nest on telephone poles, others on cliffs. Simple, factual information about the nesting habits of 14 different kinds of birds is included on these brief pages. Additional information is also included in the back. Beautiful language. Jane Yolen and her daughter, Heidi, have woven interesting nesting facts into a bedtime story that soothes the mind and dances on the tongue. Nestled among the lines is the refrain "you nest here with me" as a mother calms her daughter down for bed. Dreamlike illustrations. Every picture book needs the perfect pictures to match the words. Melissa Sweet graces the pages with her trademark watercolor, gouache, and mixed media artwork that encourages you to slow down and see the words. A bedtime book to love.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up birding with my dad, so this book makes me happy every time I read it. Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Stemple do an incredible job of combining a bedtime story with authentic nonfiction elements about birds. The facts and the story interweave seamlessly to create an intriguing story for both younger and older kids. It was the perfect homeschooling segment for all of us! The back matter is well written and interesting. Melissa Sweet's stunning illustrations hide extra birds for children to find. The metaphors, rhyme, rhythm and lyrical language make this book a pleasure to read over and over again. The repeating refrain, "You nest here with me," creates the perfect bedtime preamble. This is one of my all time favorite picture books. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves words, kids, birds, or all three!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated by Melissa Sweet, the book compares the "nesting child" at home with her mother with various types of birds who nest, and their habitats - owls, grackles, plovers, catbirds, swallows, and cowbirds, just to name a few. My favorite part was turning each page to see how each illustration uniquely captured the cityscapes, forests, farms, sandy shores, cliffs, and meadows the different birds inhabit, with a wonderful use of expression and color. Includes an informative author's note at the end, with details about each species including diet, location, identification, and other interesting features.

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful poetic text and bright, engaging illustrations. Don't miss additional information about each bird in the back matter.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the premise of this, which Yolen wrote with her daughter, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, sort of in honor of David Stemple, Jane's husband, an avid birder. I like that it's a sweet rhyming bedtime story... and also is an introduction to the diversity of birds and to some somewhat specific types.

I'm not keen on the vague "owl" or "sparrow," but since this is for the youngest set I won't fuss. I'm not at all keen on the art as it's too cartoony and doesn't make the birds come alive. I do recommend it to families, as I believe that we all need to treasure our avian neighbors more, and to preserve their habitats.

[Katherine Cowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my kind of picture book. It uses actual science (all about different birds' nests) in a fun fiction form, that doesn't feel forced in trying to teach you things but opens up your child's mind to nature, life, and observation. Also, there's a few pages at the end where you can learn more about all the birds in the book. Also, poetry. I liked the book a tad more than my children did, but it still was a win.

[Katie Logonauts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This precious poetry book is one that I fell in love with immediately. The soothing and rhythmic rhymes are perfectly complemented by the endearing collage and mixed media style of Melissa Sweet. Different birds and their nests are introduced, and the mother reassures her daughter through the repeating refrain of "You nest here with me."

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nonfiction bedtime picture book about various birds and their nesting habits. Effective use of the text refrain, "You nest here with me," provides comfort and reassurance. Melissa Sweet's collage-y illustrations complement the rhyming text beautifully.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, poetic bedtime reading with an aviary theme with wonderful illustrations by the always reliable Melissa Sweet.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I didn't think I was going to like this but then I wrote a song using the lyrics. The illustrations and colors are great, too.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. This picture book has great rhymes, great pictures (Melissa Sweet is the best), and is super informative. I learned a lot about a lot of different birds! I can't wait to share this one.

[Maria Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet gentle book comparing various nesting birds to the loving. comfortable bed of a child.

[Kimberly Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was delightful!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mother tells her daughter in rhyme the different types of birds, and how and where the build their nests for their eggs, and baby birds to live until they are ready to live on their own. Throughout the explanations the mother reassures the daughter that she also has a place to nest. Touching and informative about different birds and their habitat.

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely lullaby of a book. I really, really hope they print it as a board book for little ones. I would give it to every new mamma I know.

[Jessica Calaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Reading age
1 - 5 years, from customers

I'd say for maybe even older because a lot of bird references.

[Melissa Swistek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indie novel vibes - great for fan of birds. It introduces different bird species and their nesting habits to kids.

[Carolyn Combs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief overview: You Nest Here With Me, written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (2015), is a fresh and unique lullaby, written in enchanting rhyme. While showing the myriad of places and ways birds nest with their young, the story draws an analogy between birds' nests and human homes. The accurate information in the story, plus the back matter on the birds and an author's note, carry this lullaby over into the realm of nonfiction.

What I love about this book: I'm in awe of Jane Yolen's and Heidi Stemple's informational, rhyme in perfect meter! What a grand feat and treat for the ear. I also love Melissa Sweet's cool palette splashed with flourishes of warmth, whimsy and collage. There are recognizable details in the birds and their nests, and so much else to see in each illustration. Share this one at bedtime with four-to eight-year olds, and follow up with some time spent watching birds.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my favorite children's book ever. The illustrations are not just gorgeous, they give each bird a bit of a personality as well. The rhyming narration makes it a great read aloud. I enjoy that it makes a point of talking about different kinds of nests that may be new to kids. The repeat of the phrase "but you nest here with me" is a lovely touch of comfort to add to a bedtime story. There is even a section in the back that gives facts about the different birds discussed during the book as well as an illustration of their egg and feather. I have purchased this book as a gift multiple times and always recommend it to people when I get the chance. Since I was reading all these other books about birds today, I just had to reread this one.

[Cathryn Wellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who believes the rhetoric that rhyming books simply will not be chosen by a publishing house, You Nest Here With Me provides a sweet, effective model of why rhymes work with the young. In my years as a children's librarian, I found poetry a swift connection to young hearts. And Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple know how to follow a sure path to success.

With Melissa Sweet's charming illustrations, they have created a book that answers the age-old angst about whether or not we are worthy of love and can find safety in the world. The rhyming adds to the reassurance, as does the repetition. Altogether a delightful book.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher, Boyds Mill Press for our ARC group, Lit Review Crew.

I gave this book five stars because I really enjoyed the bird theme and the illustrations were beyond beautiful.

Three Reasons Why You Should Read This Book:

Beautiful illustrations with mixed media
Family-centered message-this is a perfect book as a gift to new families
Bird facts
I will definitely include this as a title I would want to buy others for baby showers or young birthdays. I hope you enjoy it as well!

[Edith Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a major fan of all things Jane Yolen, but this might be one of my favorites. Written with her daughter, Heidi Stemple, and illustrated beautifully by Melissa Sweet, this is one of my favorite read alouds to my children. Highly recommended up to age seven or so.

[Olivia S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute idea, but I don't like this book much. Some of the pictures are really nice, but who cares, when the story doesn't back it up. The rhyme and rhythm seems forced. The descriptions of random and uncommon birds are too detailed.

[Debbie Ohi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comforting, grounding bedtime read written by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple, with gorgeous illustrations by Melissa Sweet. In gentle rhyming text, a mother describes to her child the types of nests created by different bird species, always coming back to the refrain "you nest here with me."

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reader learns lots of different kinds of birds and how they nest in a comforting framework of being safe themselves nesting with their parents.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. As if the poetic text isn't wonderful enough, there are two pages of back matter providing a few facts about each of the birds mentioned in the text.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very poetic and sweet book. Appealing for bird lovers.