Birds of a Feather: Bird Books for Kids

Do you have a young bird lover in your house? A bird nerd who, at age 10, can tell you all the migratory species that pass over your house each year in each month? Every type of sparrow flitting about outside?

Whether you have a bird lover or not, the books below are worth checking out. Bird-watching is addictive, especially for children, so be fore-warned!

The books below are all good examples of noticing and stewarding God’s magnificent creation. When we zero in on the marvelous ways a particular species has been designed, noticing its particular habits and habitat, our awe at God’s handiwork grows. There is no better way to help encourage our children to be good stewards of God’s creation than to whet their appetite for continued study of his work.

When that creation can be observed from your dining room window or on a short walk in a park, even better!

Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette Cate. Add this to your Audubon bird guides for its wealth of information! Read our starred review.

National Wildlife Federation World of Birds: A Beginner’s Guide by Kim Kirki. A close look at 32 species of birds, this book is a delight for beginning bird-watchers! Read our starred review.

Feathers: Not Just for Flying by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen. Feathers are fascinating, and this book dives into some of their many uses. A title that will have your kids looking around at their feathered friends with a bit more interest. Read our review.

Belle’s Journey: An Osprey Takes Flight by Rob Bierregaard and illustrated by Kate Garchinsky. Dr. Bierregaard imagines what Belle’s journey and thoughts are like based upon the tracking information his team has collected of her movements. Garchinsky’s illustrations are lovely, reminiscent of those in a nature journal. This is a picture book with chapters; ages 6-12 will appreciate it. Don’t be surprised if your children start noticing whether there are ospreys about!

The Triumphant Tale of the House Sparrow by Jan Thornhill. A beautiful example of humans and animals not just coexisting, but complementing each other.  Another title that is hard to classify: text-heavy picture book or longer book filled with pictures. Read our review.

Hawk Rising by Maria Gianferraro and illustrated by Brian Floca. A red-tailed hawk takes center stage in this picture book about a predator in the bird world. Read our review.

Snowy Owl Invasion! Tracking an Unusual Migration by Sandy Markle. When scientists are tracking birds, they sometimes see irruptions–disruptions in the usual migratory patterns. This book examines snowy owls and an unusual migration one year. Read our review.