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What Makes a Bird?: An Illustrated Guide to the Bird World

Jun14
What Makes a Bird?

What Makes a Bird?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Makes a Bird?

An Illustrated Guide to the Bird World

Nadeem Perera

Montse Galbany

A & U Children’s, 2026

80pp., hbk., RRP $A29.99

9781761182891

According to the results of Australia’s official biennial “Bird of the Year” poll (co-hosted by The Guardian and BirdLife Australia), the current favourite is the  Tawny Frogmouth, which finally claimed the crown after being the perennial runner-up to the Swift Parrot (2023), the Superb Fairy Wren (2021) and the Black-Throated Finch (2019).  However, according to the latest Aussie Bird Count conducted in October 25,  the magpie is the most common.

Given that there were  a record 5 000 000 birds were counted across the nation in the citizen science project, there is clearly a great interest in the feathered creatures, so what is a bird?

The answer is contained in this new release from  Flock Together co-founder  Nadeem Perera which introduces young readers to the avian world through big questions like What Makes a Bird? Where Do Birds Live?  What Do Birds Do? and Becoming a Birder. Each chapter begins with an overarching statement such as All birds have wings (whether or not they can fly) and all birds have beaks, feathers and two legs. and then subdivides into smaller spreads of information, each giving greater detail through easily accessible text and vibrant illustrations, including  fact files on all things beaks, feathers, migration and nesting, .

A peek inside...

A peek inside…

Perera does not limit himself to the birds of his native UK – indeed, the Australia version features many familiar species (even a kiwi) on the cover – making this one that will attract anyone with an interest in the subject and perhaps even inspire them (or their class) to be involved in this year’s bird count project, although with its instructions on how to become a twitcher and construct a bird log, it’s not necessary to wait for the formal count. They may be surprised at just how many species are in their urban environment, while I count magpies, currawongs, cockatoos, kookaburras, crimson rosellas, wrens and ducks outside my window right now!

A valuable addition to the 598 section of the collection. 

 

This Bird – Noticing Our Urban Birds

Aug7
This Bird

This Bird

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Bird – Noticing Our Urban Birds

Astred Hicks with Holly Parsons

CSIRO Publishing, 2025

64pp., hbk., RRP $A32.99

9781486318452 

Look out the window, stand in the backyard, play in the park – you don’t need to go far to see intriguing birds. Whether it’s the tiny fairy wren that only changes into its striking blue suit when the male is ready to mate, the comb-crested jacana that  can walk on water, or the peregrine falcon that nests on the ledges of city buildings making it the star of live-stream, our skies are alive with birds each with its unique habitat and habits. 

Identified by catchy captions, such as This bird is a tiny explorer and This bird is loud,  this new release from CSIRO Publishing features fun facts about some remarkable Australian native birds and hints on where (and how) to find them! Beginning with some general information about birds, each double page spread features a particular species with colourful illustrations interspersed with interesting information aimed at the independent reader who wants to know a little bit more than just their names.   Each page features an ‘eye’ symbol that offers a physical description, while a “binoculars’ symbol and a map show the distribution of the species  A glossary offers explanations of unfamiliar words, and each species featured is included in an index so regardless of the heading, it is easy to find the specific bird you are looking for,  In fact, that in itself could become a teaching point because the list of contents is vague – for example, “This bird is cheeky” reveals itself as the common galah. 

Written in partnership with a bird scientist, it offers authoritative information that celebrates those birds that we see so often we take them for granted, celebrating their diversity while encouraging readers to think about why they look like they do, eat what they eat and so forth and the role their environment plays on these factors.  

As well as being an invitation to be more aware of the birds we see and hear around us, this book would also be most useful in helping young citizen scientists who might be involved in projects like the annual Aussie Bird Count. However it also lends itself to investigating which species have been introduced since European settlement, and which were known to First Nations  peoples- perhaps even compiling a dictionary of their names for them, similar to the dual vocabulary commonly used in New Zealand

Another quality release from CSIRO Publishing that inspires curiosity and encourages exploration of the world around us.

 

The Enchantment of Golden Eagle

Jul8
The Enchantment of Golden Eagle

The Enchantment of Golden Eagle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Enchantment of Golden Eagle

Margaret Wild

Stephen Michael King

A & U Children’s, 2025

32pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781761181078

When Ella and her little brother Leif find a fledgling golden eagle with a broken wind, they gather it up and take it home so they can help their father nurse it back to health. In time, the eagle is fit to fly free again, so big and powerful that the wolves in the forest did not dare to venture close to the house, but because of the bonds he has formed with the children he chooses to stay close by and protect them…. until the day their father has to leave them alone for a short time.

The eagle promises to stay to look after the children but the sky is calling and he is unable to resist.  But while he is soaring, diving, circling and soaring again the wolves come, and even though he saves the children Ella is very angry and curses him, condemning him to fly without stopping for a year and a day….

This is a compelling story that will have the reader turning the pages to the end so they can discover whether the eagle, seen by many cultures as a symbol of strength and freedom, survives the curse, whether it returns and what happens next.

Margaret Wild is one of Australia’s enduring master storytellers and this new release is no exception.  I love that this is such a stand-alone story that has no overt, in0your0face preachy message which seems to be the hallmark of so many stories for our young readers these days.  Yes, there can be discussions about befriending wild creatures and whether they should be kept in captivity against Mother Nature’s intentions, but it is a subtle aside that does not dominate.  Young readers can just enjoy this original story so delicately and cleverly illustrated by Stephen Michael King and be taken to a different time and place reminiscent of age-old fairy tales. Just the title alone suggests that this will be an ageless story, to be read for its magic, and indeed it is. 

 

The Last Egg

Jun15
The Last Egg

The Last Egg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Last Egg

Sofie Laguna

Jess Racklyeft

A & U Children’s, 2025

32pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781761180330

Mother Bird sat over her eggs.
‘Not long now,’ she said to Father Bird.
Father Bird brought her worms and seeds.
‘Not long at all.’

But that night there is a strange commotion above the tree, and in the morning a fourth egg, larger than the others, is in the nest.  Mother Bird takes it under her wing with her own and as her own, and even though her little ones hatch, become independent, even flying away to warmer shores, she remains sitting on it waiting for it to hatch.  Deep into winter she sits and waits, steadfast in her determination. with Father Bird taking care of her until food is scarce and the cold becomes overwhelming.  Will Mother Bird’s belief that “all eggs hatch” mean that she and Father Bird will make the ultimate sacrifice or will there be a miracle?

This is a soft, emotional story that is built on the beliefs and values of commitment, loyalty, resilience and most of all, hope.  Even when the days seem darkest, Mother Bird believes there is better to come, even if it means risking her life to see her duty through. And when the egg finally hatches and what emerges is a surprise, she accepts it regardless.  Because that’s what mothers do – they take in strays and treat them as their own regardless of their appearance and circumstance.  We’ve all met them in our lives – strangers helping strangers because they’re vulnerable and need a hand up, not just a hand out. 

Accompanied by the soft-line, soft-palette illustrations of Jess Racklyeft that deftly show the passing of time as well as the relationships and the emotions they evoke,  Sofie Laguna has created another comforting story of  unselfishness, kindness and determination that ensures we can all believe in and reach warmer shores. 

Bob and Dob

Jun8
Bob and Dob

Bob and Dob

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob and Dob

Sean E. Avery

Walker Books, 2025

32pp., hbk., RRP $A25.99

9781760658113

There was once a small bird called Bob who had a brother, aptly called Dob because that’s what he did.  Whenever Bob did something risky like flying too high or go hunting for worms on his own, Dob would tell on him.  So often, that even their mother got sick of hearing the stories and told them she didn’t want to hear any more tales.  

Knowing he wouldn’t get into trouble, Bob got bolder and bolder until one day… 

Dob saw the danger lurking but neither Bob or his mother would listen.  And disaster strikes. Even though he was always getting him into trouble, Dob still loved Bob so can he save him?  Is there ever an okay time to tell a lie?

Although Sean Avery writes for a variety of audiences and in a variety of formats, he seems to have a special knack for crafting stories that particularly capture the attention of our youngest readers, and this one is no different.  Every little person with a sibling will know this scenario and relate to it, whether they are a Bob or a Dob.  And both perspectives are going to generate some lively discussions.

This is definitely next Friday’s read for the local preschoolers. 

Tawny Trouble

May30
Tawny Trouble

Tawny Trouble

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tawny Trouble

Deb Fitzpatrick

Fremantle Press, 2025

128pp.,. pbk., RRP $A14.99

9781760995294

Tessa and her family have been to a weekend music festival and are returning to their holiday cottage in an old logging village deep in the south-western WA forests when they hit a tawny frogmouth diving for the insects attracted to their car’s headlights.  Luckily, Tessa’s mum was driving slowly because not only is nighttime wildlife on the road a novelty for them, but Tessa and her young brother and sister have heard stories of the possibility that there could still be thylacines in the area, because before the last-known one died in Hobart Zoo in 1936, and they were officially declared extinct in 1982 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and in 1986 by the Tasmanian government, the creature roamed the Australian mainland, not just Tasmania, and their eyes were looking at every movement and shadow.

Although the tawny frogmouth is not killed, it is injured and so the family put it in a box and first thing the next morning, they seek help for it.  Directed by Sharon the village shopkeeper, they meet Otto, a local wildlife carer who lives off-grid deep in the forest who takes Tawny and puts her in a vast aviary to heal, while introducing the family to some of the other creatures in his care,

This is a fascinating stepping stone story for young emerging readers who will not only put themselves in Tessa’s shoes but also learn about how to care for injured wild animals, becoming more and more common on roads, including that you must turn it into a registered carer within 72 hours. They will feel her fear as she makes her nighttime journey through the bush when she has her “big bad idea” and heave a sigh of relief when the resolution is revealed.  

Not only an engaging and satisfying read in itself, because the mystery of the thylacine is unresolved, and the family book into the same cottage for the next school holidays, it may be that there is a sequel coming… 

In the meantime, readers can enjoy Kelpie Chaos by the same author.

Original photographer unknown

Original photographer unknown

Encyclopedia of Birds

May8
Encyclopedia of Birds

Encyclopedia of Birds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Encyclopedia of Birds

Jules Howard

Namasri Niumim

Wide Eyed Editions, 2025

184pp., hbk., RRP $A29.99

9780711295278

Each morning, just before the sun breaks over the hill, I hear the distinctive call of a bird, ‘tuk-tuk-tuk’ as it counts down those seconds before daylight hits and those last luxurious moments under the covers.  I have no idea what it is, and no chance of spotting it hiding in the massive snow gums that surround us.  It is but one of the 11 000 species of the world’s birds, and while I recognise many of the tweets, squawks and cries of the wrens, rosellas, kookaburras, currawongs, gang gangs and galahs and so many others that visit regularly – we can tell both the weather and the seasons by the visitors to the bird feeders – this particular one eludes me.  Perhaps, if I ever catch a glimpse of it, this book will help me identify it.

With an introduction to what a bird is and bird families, this encyclopedia for young readers then examines a number of those families including birds of prey, pigeons and doves, hole-nesters and tunnel-nesters and even birds of torpor.  Each of the 300+ entries  has a true-to-life diagram and basic information designed to help the reader identify the birds that they see around them, or if there is one they are particularly interested in, discover its habitat and habitats for the best chance to see it.  It’s laid out with all the elements that help readers to navigate it independently including an index and glossary, even a diagram of how to interpret the various entries.  

While the concept of a “twitcher” might evoke a picture of a rather eccentric Englishman in hat, waterproof coat, and knickerbockers, draped with cameras and binoculars, nevertheless, there is a growing interest among young people in being able to recognise birds by both sight and sound and there is even an annual Aussie Bird Count in October each year where we are encouraged to record and submit the numbers that are seen in a 24-hour period. 

So regardless of where you live on the planet, and whether your outlook is bushland, desert, coast or urban, chances are there is something that your will discover both outside your window and within this book, 

A peek inside

A peek inside

 

On Gallant Wings

Apr25
On Gallant Wings

On Gallant Wings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Gallant Wings

Helen Edwards

Riveted Press, 2025

288pp., pbk., RRP $A17.99

9781763526051

Darwin, December 1941.  Even though her dad is a navigator for the RAAF and is stationed somewhere overseas, for 12-year-old Ava the war is a distant thing and she goes about her daily life with her mum and older brother Fred, playing with her best friend Kazuo, whose dad was born in Japan, and raising her pet pigeons. She lives by her own self-imposed rules and rituals and her greatest delight is watching the progress of her new chick Essie, her favourite pigeon, who is already showing signs of leadership, ready for her first flight early. while dodging Billy the Bully is her greatest fear.  Life is okay, under the circumstances – until it isn’t.

Fred lies about his age so he can join up and “do his bit” and is to be sent to training camp shortly; Pearl Harbour is bombed by the Japanese and Kazuo and his family are sent to an internment camp, even though both Kazuo and his mother were born in Australia; and then Darwin, itself, is bombed and Ava and her mum barely escape with their lives.  Forced to evacuate, Ava and her mum join the other families in making the long and arduous trip south to stay with Grandma Dot and Grandpa RaRi in Lake Boga near Swan Hill, Victoria, a town as different from Darwin as it could be. And such a change means a new set of rules -including the one about making no new friends because everyone leaves anyway. Yet despite the difference in location, the war follows Ava, both in reality as a secret Catalina flying-boat maintenance base is built on the lake and her mother joins the WAAAF and works at the base,  and in her head as the sights and sounds of the bombing continue to haunt her.  Infrequent letters, heavily censored, keep her in touch with her dad and Fred who is now with the Signals Directorate working with Essie and the other pigeons in preparation for deployment to New Guinea and despite her rule not to make friends because friends leave and heartache follows, she teams up with Pete, Jenny and Stevo and with school and swimming in the lake, watching the Catalinas and the pelicans, there is a semblance of normality again. That is, until her life is turned upside down when Kazuo appears in the dead of night having escaped from the family internment camp, terrified of being send to the single men’s camp where Japanese prisoners of war will see him as a traitor to their nation. Ava is torn between helping him and living by her rules of telling no lies to her grandparents… Can she find a way through her ethical dilemma so she doesn’t break her grandparents’ trust, can keep Kazuo safe and yet remain true to her self?

Written by Ava, and interspersed with those precious letters, this is an intriguing and engaging story for independent readers about a little-known period of Australian history.  While even our youngest have a sketchy knowledge of why we commemorate ANZAC Day, the wars and the conflict and upheaval they caused, are fading into the memories of even their great-grandparents now and the stories of the children’s lives of the time are disappearing. Life before the internet is tricky to remember, let alone life before television, and so a war fought in a time when soldiers had to roll cable out through the jungle and rely on carrier pigeons for communication is almost unimaginable and so this is an important story for giving today’s readers a glimpse into a life that was very real for their great-grandparents, and ultimately influenced who they, themselves, are. (My own grandchildren proudly volunteer as flag bearers each ANZAC Day at the Australian War Memorial, commemorating the service of their great-grandfathers, grandfathers and other family members, continuing that contribution to community through their Scouting activities.)   Meticulously researched, it also fills in gaps for those of us who are older but whose parents chose not to talk about their wartime experiences – too raw, too scary and too incomprehensible if you weren’t there and didn’t live through it.  It may even spark an interest in investigating personal family histories, or perhaps the story of someone whose name is etched on the town’s war memorial. 

As well as Ava’s own experiences, there are also broader issues that can be discussed and explored such as the automatic internment of those Australians deemed to be enemies because of their heritage; the secrecy surrounding the devastation of Darwin;  even the impact of PTSD on children and how seemingly unrelated events can cause triggers.  More general teaching notes following these themes and others, including the uncensored letters, are available here.

Through Essie, Tommy and the other pigeons, we also learn about the role they and other animals have played in wars -so many  more than Simpson’s donkey – and those with an interest can not only read about the Dickin Medal which was awarded to Essie, but can also read more in Pidge’s Poppies and Wear a Purple Poppy. 

Given the unpredictability of today’s world, the 24/7 news cycle and television and the internet bringing the world’s conflict into our students’ lounge rooms, many are feeling great anxiety about their future so want to escape into fantasy adventure where they have the power to control events, but with carefully selected historical fiction such as this, we can show them that previous generations have faced just as dire circumstances and come through – challenged and changed, but resourceful and resilient – and that there is hope for them too.  Humanity will prevail.

From pigeons and Morse code to satellites and cyberspace: 100 years of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals

"Rat on wings": the little pigeon that won a gallantry medal

“Rat on wings”: the little pigeon that won a gallantry medal

The Strange and Unlikely Tale of Montgomery, the Mysterious Bird of Mystery

Mar31
The Strange and Unlikely Tale of Montgomery, the Mysterious Bird of Mystery

The Strange and Unlikely Tale of Montgomery, the Mysterious Bird of Mystery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Strange and Unlikely Tale of Montgomery, the Mysterious Bird of Mystery

Antony Elworthy

Walker Books, 2024

176pp., pbk., RRP $A16.99

9781760658915

Every Wednesday he cycles over to the Twilight Retirement Village to visit Gramps and listen to the remarkable tales he has to tell of his past life. It is the high point of the week for both of them and Gramps certainly seems to have had a most interesting life, because today’s tale is just as intriguing as those told before.  Having decided to give up being a deep sea diver because he didn’t want his innards sucked back up through the hose and sprayed across the boat’s deck, Gramps decided to become a magician.  Before long known as The Astonishing Alfredo, he is  famous across the land, particularly for his trick of being able have his white dove Montgomery fly from a seemingly empty hat, and who then serenades the audience with a song.  Between them, they bring the house down but mysterious forces are afoot and in a strange twist, the two find themselves in each other’s shoes.

Readers are warned to “Expect the unexpected and believe the unbelievable ” and this is certainly the case for both the boy and the young independent reader as they are immersed in a story that seems hard to believe, but it really doesn’t matter because it is the sharing of story and time between grandfather and grandson that is at the core of this debut novel. Even though he finds it difficult to believe his grandfather’s stories, nevertheless it is the bond they have formed that drives the story and the weekly visits.

Enhanced by the author’s own illustrations – he is an animator who has worked on Corpse Bride and Coraline, among others – the reader becomes just as immersed in the story, wondering if Gramps will ever be able to get his wand back and reverse what Montgomery has done. And, if he does, what will he have learned from his experience?

For me, it was a step back in time to the 50s and visits to my own grandparents who lived across the road from the ocean and always had many a tale to tell as the waves pounded on the nearby rocks, adding the perfect music and atmosphere to the adventures they shared.  Perhaps it will inspire today’s readers to connect with their elders in a similar way so the stories are not forgotten or lost altogether. 

The Pelican Can!

Nov27
The Pelican Can!

The Pelican Can!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pelican Can!

Toni Yuly

Little Brown,  2024

32pp., hbk., RRP

$A32.99

9780316497817

In 1910, Dixon Lanier Merritt wrote a rhyme that endures to this day as a favourite of little ones who want to legitimately say “naughty words”…

“A wonderful bird is the Pelican.
His beak can hold more than his belly can.
He can hold in his beak
Enough food for a week!
But I’ll be darned if I know how the hellican?”

And in this enchanting book, when Pelican knows it is time to feed the nestlings, creator Toni Yuly asks simple questions about the process and answers them with an equally simple repetitive answer that will appeal to little ones’ love of word play …

Who can see its time to eat?
The pelican can. The pelican can.
Against the solid-colour sunset backgrounds, the pelican is silhouetted as it goes about looking for the evening meal, and these images make it easy for the young reader not only to anticipate the text of the question, but join in enthusiastically with the answer.   
Pelicans are found all over Australia, even far inland wherever there is a water source, and there would be few young readers who do not meet Mr Percival, Mr Proud and Mr Ponder from the classic Storm Boy, by Colin Thiele, or even Pannikin & Pinta, also by Thiele, in their reading journeys, so this one, which has all the elements that help develop concepts about print and allow our youngest to believe they can be readers, is the ideal starting point to learning about how and why their “beaks can hold more than their belly can”.