About Birds / Sobre los pájaros: A Guide for Children / Una guía para niños
About... A Guide for Children Series
What’s inside...
An award-winning, educator-approved first book on birds. In this simple volume, educator and author Cathryn Sill uses clear, easy-to-understand language to teach children what birds are, what they do, and how they live. Noted wildlife illustrator John Sill provides beautifully detailed, realistic paintings to showcase the birds' diverse and natural worlds, and an afterword provides more details about each bird and inspires further learning.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes birds different from other animals we've read about?
Can you imagine what it might be like to fly like a bird? What would you see from up high?
Which bird from the book is your favorite and why?
How do birds help our environment? Can you think of any ways we can help them in return?
If you could talk to a bird, what would you ask it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the birds they read about in the book to birds they've seen in real life. Maybe even plan a bird watching trip.
Use expressive reading to make the bird descriptions come alive. Mimic bird sounds or movements as described in the book to make the reading session interactive and fun.
After reading, engage in a creative activity like drawing their favorite bird from the book or crafting a simple bird feeder, reinforcing the learning experience.
Discuss the importance of ecosystems and how birds play a role in them, ensuring the conversation is age-appropriate and not overwhelming.
Pose hypothetical questions like what a day in the life of a bird might entail to help your child develop empathy and a deeper understanding of nature.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation of nature
Explanation: Through vibrant illustrations and engaging bilingual text, the book educates children about different bird species and their environments.
Real-World Application: Children learn to observe and respect wildlife in their surroundings, fostering a lifelong commitment to environmental conservation.
Example Lesson: Bilingual language skills
Explanation: The book presents its content in both English and Spanish, providing a natural and engaging way to introduce a second language to young readers.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice two languages simultaneously, enhancing cognitive development and cultural awareness.
Example Lesson: Scientific curiosity
Explanation: The book delves into specifics about birds’ life cycles, habitat, and behaviors, sparking curiosity about biological sciences.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore more about biology and other scientific fields through observation and inquiry-based learning.