Book of curious birds by Jennifer Cousins

Book of Curious Birds is a stunning look at ordinary and bizarre birds from all over the world. Written and illustrated by well-known writer Jennifer Cossins, this book will introduce you to both familiar and unfamiliar members of the bird population.

The Contents page lists twenty-six birds all having a double page spread. This leads into the introduction where the author talks about her fascination with birds and gives a general description of the types of birds you might find and learn from in the book. Each bird has a page of facts with a title, sub-title, location, wingspan, length and conservation status section followed by information well-spaced in paragraphs, with one coloured highlighted fact of interest. The second half of the spread is a gorgeous glossy illustration of the bird under discussion.

The information shared will fascinate young readers. For example, did you know that the Shoebill or giant-billed stork from Central and East Africa have a habit of pooing on their own legs to cool themselves down when it is too hot? Or that the North Island Brown Kiwi found in New Zealand has many features that are more like mammals even though their closest relatives are emus and cassowaries.

As well as being the perfect book to peruse through, this book would provide a wonderful resource for school students when doing research for report writing. The interesting text is presented clearly and is easy to read and comprehend. At the end is a Glossary, Acknowledgements and information about the author. The Book of Curious Birds is a valuable addition to any home, school or public library.

Themes: Birds.

Kathryn Beilby