Bird Builds a Nest: A First Science Storybook

by Martin Jenkins, Richard Jones (Illustrator)

Overview

“These illustrations, in their stylized beauty . . . highlight the text’s focus on science. The entire reading experience indeed heralds a ‘beautiful day.’ ”— The Horn Book (starred review)

It’s time for Bird to build her nest! Follow her as she pulls a worm out of the ground, lifts some twigs that are just the right size, and pushes the twigs into place. Uh-oh — one of the twigs falls to the ground! But after a day of hard work, Bird’s nest is ready and waiting. Can you guess what it’s waiting for? Using simple, clear language and beautiful illustrations, this engaging story is the perfect introduction to physical forces for very young readers. A final spread with some simple questions promotes discussion with parents, teachers, or caregivers and encourages readers to think about the concepts introduced.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536246315
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	10/15/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 6 Years

About the Author

 

Editorial Reviews

01/22/2018
In this kickoff to the First Science Storybook series, author and biologist Jenkins follows a bird as it builds its nest, but his real goal is to explore the concepts of force and gravity (which are discussed in an introductory note to parents). Drab shades of rust, brown, and pale blue-green lend a sense of calm to Jones’s flattened and slightly abstracted mixed-media images. The bird constructs its nest by pushing and pulling twigs together, then fills it with “softer things” such as feathers and grass: “Can you guess what it’s waiting for? Eggs!” Closing questions invite readers to revisit the book with the concepts of pushing and pulling in mind: “Can you find some places in the book where Bird pushes something?” It’s a neat way for readers to see science fundamentals at work in nature. Ages 4–6. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

Jones’s illustrations mirror the text, allowing the youngest readers to create a story without the words but also giving them the pleasure of reading on their own after perhaps just one read-aloud. These illustrations, in their stylized beauty, depict the most basic elements of the natural world and highlight the text’s focus on science. The entire reading experience indeed heralds a “beautiful day.”
—Horn Book (starred review)

Bird Builds a Nest: A First Science Storybook works well as a straightforward narrative that concludes with the toddler-pleasing sight of a nest full of ready-to-hatch eggs...It's become de rigueur to introduce little kids to science concepts, and Bird Builds a Nest is among those with standout illustrations. In fact, Richard Jones's nimble mixed-media compositions, which have the look of cut-paper tableaux, are downright suitable for framing.
—Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)

This simple book about a bird’s nest-building activities is accessible as both a story and a book about science....This new series launch serves as a gentle introduction to scientific principles for the very young. A solid read-aloud for young nature lovers.
—School Library Journal

A worthy...venture into multidisciplinary teaching for very young children.
—Kirkus Reviews

In an expectant tone and encouraging curiosity, Jenkins’ text playfully captures the bird’s lengthy task of building a home, with an emphasis on the bird’s physical actions, like pushing, pulling, and carrying. Jones’ mixed-media illustrations, rendered in muted natural tones, nicely underscore the concepts, especially as the nest gets gradually bigger...Inquisitive little ones will appreciate this approachable STEM- friendly read.
—Booklist Online

Jones’ illustrations make this a visual pleasure, with a stylized bird in designer earthtones reminiscent of Charley Harper; a petite seven-entry index is included to help listeners “look up the pages to find out about forces.” This is an attractive, engaging debut for a promising new series.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

In this kickoff to the First Science Storybook series, author and biologist Jenkins follows a bird as it builds its nest...Closing questions invite readers to revisit the book with the concepts of pushing and pulling in mind: “Can you find some places in the book where Bird pushes something?” It’s a neat way for readers to see science fundamentals at work in nature.
—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

12/01/2017
PreS-Gr 1—This simple book about a bird's nest-building activities is accessible as both a story and a book about science. The title introduces a number of concepts, including gravity, heavy versus light, and pushing and pulling. After being foiled in a tug-of-war by a large, strong worm and settling for a more manageable one, Bird begins building her nest. Youngsters learn how the bird constructs a secure home for her future offspring by gathering, weaving, and smoothing the nest's walls. Large, clear mixed media illustrations reveal a variety of perspectives and will engage listeners. A brief "Thinking about Pushing and Pulling" section explains the forces seamlessly included in the text and an index is appended. VERDICT This new series launch serves as a gentle introduction to scientific principles for the very young. A solid read-aloud for young nature lovers.—Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI

School Library Journal

2017-10-30
A generic mother bird learns to conquer the forces of physics while going about her daily chores.In an unusual take on the well-worn topic of birds and their nests, the common activities associated with feeding and nest-building are used to teach the science of force and gravity, albeit at a very elementary level. The preface encourages caregivers to discuss the law of motion, stating that "More force is needed to change the motion of heavier objects than to change the motion of lighter objects." (Caregivers may find themselves searching for other words to make this clear to youngsters.) Furthermore, "Earth's gravity pulls objects towards the Earth, which makes things fall down when they are dropped." Aspects of these principles are illustrated with somewhat dated-looking mixed-media pictures in a muddy color palette as the bird pulls worms out of the ground; struggles to find twigs light enough to carry; creates a nest with twigs, feathers, and grass; and finally lays five speckled eggs, out of which hatch baby birds. Five questions again address the physics illustrated in the story, asking about pushing, pulling, moving, and dropping. A worthy, if somewhat forced, venture into multidisciplinary teaching for very young children that may require caregivers to do some heavy lifting of their own. (index) (Informational picture book. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews