Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward and illustrated by Steve Jenkins

This book is a “Best of the Best” pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas!

Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward and illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Beach Lane Books, 2014, 32 pages.

• Reading Level: Picture Books, 0-8
• Recommended for: Ages 0-8

Steve Jenkins is known for his detailed collage illustrations in his nonfiction works for children. He brings that same talent to bear in this fictional picture book about different birds and their nests. Ward’s rhyming text makes this an excellent read-aloud for preschool and kindergarten ages, but older children will also enjoy it. Accompanying each illustration and verse is a short paragraph of nonfiction prose which gives more information about the bird featured in the double-page spread. A short author’s note at the end encourages further exploration of birds and also lists a few resources for more study. While the text never alludes to creation or the Creator, neither does it say these marvelous birds evolved. A nice addition to nature studies all in all, and the ending makes it suitable for a bedtime book as well.

Overall Quality: 4.5 (out of 5)

• Artistic Merit: 5
• Worldview Value: 4

Cautions: none

Recommended use: read-aloud, curriculum tie-in (nature study, birds)

Categories: science, education, picture books, nature, bedtime books

thanks to goodreads for cover image