–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–
I’m always intrigued when a nonfiction book idea finds a quality story to match, which is what happens here. Instead of giving us “Bird counting happens throughout the world each year at Christmas thanks to the efforts of the National Audubon Society” etc., we get the story of Ava, a kid who loves birds and is excited to participate again this year with her family. Because she’s a kid, we’ve got people around her like Big Al to (believably) help remind her about the rules and best practices. Who knew that a citizen scientist’s most important tools are eyes and ears?
Ava knew, and now the reader does too.
We can tell how special this particular bird count is to Ava because she alerts us to that fact. “I look at Mom and smile. This is my first time,” she says about her being asked to record the names of all the birds they count. What’s especially fun is that the book layout has a spiral-notebook part to the page where bird names appear as Ava writes them down.
One of the many lessons here is that rules matter. The rules say a bird can’t be counted unless two people see or hear it. So, when Ava sees a mockingbird that “flaps away in a flash of gray and white,” she can’t add it, despite really wanting to. “But Mom and Al missed it. So it doesn’t count.” Don’t worry–she finally sees one later and can add it to the list then.
Richmond’s use of language is compelling, too–especially when trying to capture the noises birds make, such as “Pssshh, pssshh, pssshh” and “mourning doves coo-hooing.” (The name of that bird is bold as are the names of all 24 types of birds that get counted.)
Part of what give this story a bit of tension is Ava’s hope to see a raven, as she’d done a few years back. Will she see one again this time? She sure hopes so.
Generous but appropriate back matter completes this fine introduction to the world of birding.
4.5 out of 5 pencils
–Linda’s Review of the Illustrations–
On the outside, Bird Count looks like a book for the preschool crowd–large squarish format, simplified head of a young girl on the front. Inside, there is text and information galore. I hope its exterior doesn’t signal second and third graders to pass it by.
The content is presented in wonderfully clear, consistent layouts. Except for the opening and closing, a wire-bound notebook with the growing list of birds appears on the right edge of the double-paged scenes of the day. The narrative text is generously line-spaced, often on ample snowy areas of the compositions. Cheers to Peachtree designer Nicola Simmonds Carmack for the elegant and easily read fonts throughout, the heavy matte coated stock, and attention to details that make this a well dressed and durable book.
Stephanie Fizer Coleman was a natural choice for illustrator. See her “paint a bird a day” for 100 days project at http://stephaniefizercoleman.com/100-birds‑1 Coleman’s page designs are simple with strong elements leading left to right. Figures and faces are stylized, lending a detachment that keeps the focus on the birds and their environs. A palette of soft blue, lavender, and browns provides a subtle background to neutral colored birds. The art is rendered digitally with textures that appear to be brushy, sanded gouache and whites that recall frosty surfaces. The calming hues create a restful bedtime offering. And, for the “look again” reader, there is a rogue great horned owl!
5 out of 5 crayons
Linda Shute is an illustrator, writer, and teacher living near Sarasota, FL. There is never snow in her yard, and most of the birds have very long legs and croak!