Bird Talk

January 2, 2012
With humor and sensitivity, Judge translates the secret language of birds, both verbal and nonverbal, that they use to attract mates, communicate with partners or offspring, and thwart predators. “I have the most experience. I’ll make the best mate,” says the male American robin through the hundreds of different songs that he sings; a palm cockatoo, “a regular one-man hard-rock band,” whistles and bangs a stick against a tree to deliver the message, “Stay away! This is my tree”; and a flamingo parent urges its chick to break out of the egg. Set against matte white backdrops, Judge’s illustrations are simultaneously naturalistic and joyful, pairing well with her
storyteller’s flair. Appended pages share additional information about each of the birds. Ages 6–9.

January 1, 2012
A simple ornithological discourse for very young readers offers several examples of feathered non-verbal communication. Over two dozen bird species--most, but not all, with North American ranges, and many fairly familiar--are shown communicating essential messages via calls, displays of plumage and other, less well-known behaviors. Birds from distant parts of the world may appear in the same opening describing behaviors that accomplish similar aims: wooing mates, camouflage, encouragement to fledglings, protection. Judge's art is clear and understandable, as well as subtly funny, letting the birds speak for themselves. Her bright-eyed birds--in many cases both the male and female are shown--and briefly sketched surroundings against plenty of white space look natural, even as several of her subjects seem to twinkle expressively along with the humor in her clear, direct text. Some young listeners may be charmed into giggles by the "missiles of poop" launched by the Scandinavian fieldfare in an effort the keep predatory crows from their nests. Adult readers may enjoy reading about the Northern gannet, with its unique way of determining who goes fishing for food and who tends the nest. Further information about each of the species, including their habitats and ranges, appears on several pages at the back, along with a brief glossary and list of sources. Delightfully straightforward and accessible. (Informational picture book. 3-8)

(COPYRIGHT (2012) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

February 1, 2012

Gr 3-5-Birds use their voices, physical features, and their movements in varied ways to express themselves to their mates, their children, others of their species, and predators endangering them. This cheerful picture-book introduction cites numerous examples from many parts of the world. Explanations are brief and bright in tone. "A Palm Cockatoo is a regular one-man hard-rock band. He whistles and bobs his head. Then he breaks off a stick to drum against a tree. The message is clear to other males, 'Stay away! This is MY tree.'" Judge adds energy, humor, and occasional elegance in her vigorous color-shaded drawings. The large gray Palm Cockatoo with its rosy cheek patches and burst of top-knot feathers is a homely, stern defender of his branch. Some pages introduce two birds while others fill a whole page. A few get the whole spread. More than half of the 28 species reside in North America. Each has been chosen to represent an aspect of communication-greetings, warnings, mating signals, or contacts between parents and their young. A concluding pictorial glossary gives the species name of each bird (not all are named when they first appear), adding a brief note on its behavior and stating its habitat and range. A quick introduction to our ever-expanding knowledge of animal communication, this is also a fun glimpse at the variety among the world's birds.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2012
Grades 1-3 Beguiling illustrations will draw readers to this unusual book, which looks at the communications of backyard birds as well as more exotic varieties. Judge offers a series of large pencil drawings, tinted with colors and shown against white backgrounds. Each illustration shows one or more birds communicating with others of their kind, such as male blue-footed boobies dancing to attract a mate or a purple finch calling to warn its flock about a nearby hawk. While there is little unifying text, the examples themselves are intriguing and the explanations are informative. Best of all, the precisely drawn, engaging pictures bring the birds to life on the page. The book concludes with a list of the species shown, along with tiny pictures and bits of information on their characteristics, habits, habitats, and ranges. A glossary and a short list of references are also appended. A visually appealing introduction to bird communication.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)