The Beak Book

October 15, 2020
If you thought beaks were just for pecking, think again. This picture book examines in piercing detail the astonishing adaptability of birds' beaks. Twenty-one different birds from different parts of the world are illustrated to show the unique functions of each species' beaks. The kiwi's nostrils are located at the end of its beak to allow it to smell its food before ingesting it. The shoebill stork has a large, heavy beak ideal for crushing fish "or the occasional lizard or baby crocodile." The common tailorbird can actually sew leaves together using spiderweb silk to make a nest, and the macaw uses its hooked beak to climb trees. The unbelievably cute Atlantic puffin uses its hinged beak (aided by spines inside its mouth) to hold a big mouthful of fish, and of course, most birds use their beaks to make their first entrance to the world out of the egg. Brightly colored collage close-ups of each bird's head and beak adorn the spare, white pages, with brief text describing the function of each bird's beak and a small vignette of the whole bird, showing how the bird uses its beak. A double-page diagram showing where the birds live and what they eat is included, but the maps are a bit small and unlabeled, requiring readers who are unfamiliar with world geography to seek out other sources. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 50.1% of actual size.) An unusual insight into one aspect of the amazing adaptability of birds. (bibliography, further reading) (Informational picture book. 7-12)

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Starred review from October 26, 2020
By zooming in on one of birds’ most idiosyncratic features, Page reveals just what a multifaceted marvel a beak can be: “This beak is for drilling./ This beak is for scooping.// This beak is for shredding./ This beak is for clutching.” Placed alongside a large, clean-lined illustration of a bird in profile, a declarative statement on each page describes what a specific beak can do. (Expertly captured field marks, rendered in vibrant, saturated color, pop against the crisp white background.) Page also offers a sentence explaining the declaration alongside an inset illustration showing the bird using its beak as described: “Using the expandable pouch that is part of its beak, the pelican scoops up a fish.” A clear, concise, and engaging read for fledgling ornithologists. Back matter includes more species detail and a bibliography. Ages 3–8.

December 1, 2020
Grades K-3 "Beaks come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes," says the opening text of this attractive, fact-filled look at the tool birds use to sniff, crush, snap, and more. Page introduces each bird by the activity its beak is used for and pairs that with a large, digitally created, collage-like image of the bird's head and upper body, accompanied by a smaller illustration of the whole bird at work with its beak. The beautifully colored ruddy duck, for example, has a distinctive blue bill, which is used for straining plants and animals from the bottom of a pond. Readers can learn layers of information here--where the birds live, how they eat and otherwise interact with their environments, and some useful vocabulary. The succinct text accompanying each animal is just enough to hold young readers' interest, while the fabulous images, the style of which will be familiar to readers of Page and Steve Jenkins' Caldecott Honor title What Do You Do with a Tail Like This?, offer plentiful details to pore over. Engaging nonfiction for the picture book set.

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December 1, 2020

K-Gr 2-Young readers who are curious about birds from around the world will enjoy Page's latest offering, which provides a colorful and informative look at one unique feature of a bird: its beak. Whether a bird is using its long beak to sniff out food like a kiwi, its curved beak to climb up a branch like a macaw, or its large beak to keep cool in warmer temperatures, a bird's beak plays an important role. The text, which follows the pattern "This beak is for..," uses a larger type to emphasize the beak's particular function. Simple, declarative sentences make this ideal for read-alouds or for readers who are just starting to read independently. Vibrant, textured illustrations not only show the bird up close but also depict the action described in the text. Captions provide further information, although the text is written at a higher reading level than the main text. The back matter includes a map of birds mentioned in the book, as well as additional sources. Page shows that despite their differences, all birds use their beaks to start life in the same way: by breaking out of their shell. VERDICT This detailed overview would be an excellent choice for collections that are looking for additional titles about birds.-Louie Lauer, Jefferson Elem. Sch., Fargo, ND

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