BIRDS
Author: Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Year of Publication: 2009
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Horn Book rating: 1
Summary: Throughout the entire book, a young girl discusses what she sees when there are birds around, i.e. color, size, and shape. At the end of the story, she compares herself to the birds and describes what she has in common with them.
Summary of Professional Reviews: In the Kirkus review, things were mentioned that I never thought of; the word "Surprise" is written on one of the pages across the top and I thought nothing of it, but the Kirkus review stated "the word "surprise" above outstretched branches reflects the thought with bold uneven letters." The reviews really focus on the illustrations; the Horn Book rating says that the illustrations expand the plain text, and the Kirkus review says the birds natural radiance can be accentuated.
Review by Sarah Custard: I believe this book is very good for young children. The text is easy, with few words per page and simple words. On one page, there are about four colors mentioned, which can help children learn how to spell the color words. The book also has many colors throughout the book which can captivate the attention of many children. Girls may like the book because the main character is a girl and there are flowers throughout the book; boys may like it because it includes different types of birds, not just one type.
This book would useful when teaching different colors or even about different types of animals. As I said, the book has a variety of different colors in it, including the prime colors, but also the different blendings of colors (pink, orange, green). Within the book, different types of birds are included, things such as seagulls, owls, crows, and robins. It could also help teachers with a lesson about different sizes, big or small or even something in between. Students would be able to learn their colors, how to spell the colors, sizes, and could also help them realize what they have in common with birds.
Summary of Professional Reviews: In the Kirkus review, things were mentioned that I never thought of; the word "Surprise" is written on one of the pages across the top and I thought nothing of it, but the Kirkus review stated "the word "surprise" above outstretched branches reflects the thought with bold uneven letters." The reviews really focus on the illustrations; the Horn Book rating says that the illustrations expand the plain text, and the Kirkus review says the birds natural radiance can be accentuated.
Review by Sarah Custard: I believe this book is very good for young children. The text is easy, with few words per page and simple words. On one page, there are about four colors mentioned, which can help children learn how to spell the color words. The book also has many colors throughout the book which can captivate the attention of many children. Girls may like the book because the main character is a girl and there are flowers throughout the book; boys may like it because it includes different types of birds, not just one type.
This book would useful when teaching different colors or even about different types of animals. As I said, the book has a variety of different colors in it, including the prime colors, but also the different blendings of colors (pink, orange, green). Within the book, different types of birds are included, things such as seagulls, owls, crows, and robins. It could also help teachers with a lesson about different sizes, big or small or even something in between. Students would be able to learn their colors, how to spell the colors, sizes, and could also help them realize what they have in common with birds.