Description
Get to know all about the best and brightest—and smelliest!—birds in Leslie Bulion’s award-winning collection of avian science poetry. You won’t even need binoculars!
★ “Fascinating.”—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
★ “In works such as Superlative Birds, the collaboration of poetry and science invites children of varying reading preferences, learning styles, and worldviews to enter nature study through their own chosen door.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, STARRED REVIEW
★ “Entertaining and educational, a superlative package.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Ever wonder which bird has the loudest voice? Which one builds the biggest nest or has the most feathers? Get to know all about the best and brightest―and smelliest!―denizens of the bird world with this collection of nonfiction science verses.
Award-winning science poetry author Leslie Bulion dedicates a variety of verse to these impressive birds and includes a science glossary, notes on poetic forms, and resources for more information in the back of the book. Witty drawings by Robert Meganck add another layer of fun to this humorous and informative gallery of the world’s most accomplished birds. Ideal for cross-curricular learning, including units on animals, birds, nature, and poetry.
Reviews
★ “With characteristic humor and carefully crafted language, poet Bulion offers readers amazing facts about birds of our world…. These engaging poems read aloud beautifully…. Meganck’s digital illustrations reflect the humorous tone…. Excellent resources for further bird study complete this delightful offering. Entertaining and educational, a superlative package.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
★ “Fascinating facts… Meganck’s illustrations are one-dimensional and friendly, placing the birds against uncluttered backgrounds while clearly emphasizing the characteristic being highlighted by each poem.”—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“A “top of the class” example of combining two different subjects that are approachable and a joy to read. A win for science and English classrooms.” —School Library Journal
★ “Bulion is an accomplished wordsmith…. Illustration is engrossing, imaginative, instructive, and deftly calibrated to the tone of the text…there’s enough trivia here to stoke middle grade know-it-alls. Even readers who are merely on fact-finding missions, though, will be impressed by the breadth and engagement of Bulion’s chosen poetry forms…. In works such as Superlative Birds, the collaboration of poetry and science invites children of varying reading preferences, learning styles, and worldviews to enter nature study through their own chosen door.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, STARRED REVIEW
Awards
Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels List —National Council of Teachers of English, 2020
Connecticut Book Award (Finalist, Young Readers: Picture Books) —Connecticut Center for the Book, 2020
Delaware Diamonds (Nominee, 3-5) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2020-2021
Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2020
Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards (Nominee, Grades 3-5) ―Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, 2021-2022
More Details
AR Level: 6.3
Lexile: 1060L
Themes: Birds, Bird Habits, Animal World Records, Science Poetry
BISAC 1: JNF042010 JUVENILE NONFICTION / Poetry / Humorous
BISAC 2: JNF003030 JUVENILE NONFICTION / Animals / Birds
BISAC 3: JNF028000 JUVENILE NONFICTION / Humor / General
