On the Wing

by David Elliott, Becca Stadtlander (Illustrator)

Overview

David Elliott’s witty verse takes flight with gorgeous illustrations in an enchanting look at fifteen avian species for birders of all ages.

Take to the sky to explore a glorious array of all things avian, from the tiny, restless hummingbird to the inscrutable horned owl to the majestic bald eagle. David Elliott and Becca Stadtlander bestow a sense of wonder onto such common birdfeeder visitors as the sparrow, the crow, and the cardinal and capture the exotic beauty of far-flung fowl like the Andean condor, the Australian pelican, and the Caribbean flamingo. Concise, clever verse from an award-winning author pairs with striking artwork from a debut illustrator to make this a true pleasure for anyone who loves birds.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763653248
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	09/09/2014
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

 

Editorial Reviews

07/21/2014
Elliott (On the Farm; In the Wild) adds a celebration of birds to his collection of lighthearted animal poetry. The subjects range from familiar backyard neighbors to birds best from nature documentaries: the Andean condor, the puffin, and the bowerbird (“Nature’s fussy,/ lovesick architect”). Some are described in rhyming verse, while others are captured in telegraphic, haikulike fragments. In “The Macaw,” accompanied by newcomer Stadtlander’s painting of the bird’s wildly colored plumage, Elliott writes simply, “Who/ spilled/ the/ paint?” Stadtlander has the challenging job of following in the footsteps of Elliott’s late collaborator Holly Meade (to whom Elliott dedicates this book). Stadtlander paints the birds with meticulous care, framing them against majestic, muted backgrounds whose overcast skies lend a somber feel. In one spread, the bent legs and swooping necks of courting Japanese cranes form an elegant frieze of classical dimensions. While the seriousness of the images is sometimes at cross-purposes with Elliott’s humor, it’s just right for the poet’s more lyrical moments, as when a bald eagle “circles like a prayer,/ on the rising columns/ of the shining,/ sun-warmed air.” Ages 3–7. Illustrator’s agent: Anne Moore Armstrong, Bright Agency. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

★ 09/01/2014
K-Gr 3—Poetry flutters across the pages of this lovely book. Each selection is a short, spot-on depiction of a different species of bird. While these are not lengthy verses describing the birds in great detail, each poem is witty and thoughtful and enlivens its subject. The detailed acrylic illustrations complement the poems beautifully, and every bird seems to come alive on the spacious spreads. They are shown in realistic habitats, often in graceful movements that echo their natural elegance. Many of the pieces have a rhythmic, chirping quality that make them perfect read-alouds. Bird lovers, poetry enthusiasts, and children looking for a fun read will flock to this stunning title.—Ellen Norton, White Oak Library District, Crest Hill, IL

School Library Journal

★ 2014-06-29
In this carefully planned book, readers simultaneously learn key facts about a variety of birds, absorb different forms of poetry and revel in beautiful artwork.The first double-page spread features ruby-throated hummingbirds flitting across a landscape lush with coral and green vines. The poetry appropriately flits as well, reflecting the words that speak of the busy way in which these birds conduct their lives. Each ensuing set of pages also names a bird in bold black print at the top of the verso or the recto, then presents a poem revealing at least one characteristic of that bird. The gouache artwork perfectly matches the varying tones and forms of the poetry, which ranges from the humorous one-sentence poem for the macaw ("Who / spilled / the / paint?") to literary accolades for the albatross to philosophizing about the Andean condor's dark secrets. There is wordplay too, as in this observation of a crow's voice: "pure caw-caw-phony." The power of good poetry glides along through the final three pages, which note that the bald eagle doesn't know the term "bird of prey / though he circles like a prayer // on the rising columns / of the shining, / sun-warmed air."From the graceful cranes flying across its wraparound cover to the single feather on the title page to the soaring eagle at the end, this book astounds. (Picture book/poetry. 4-10)

Kirkus Reviews

Poetry flutters across the pages of this lovely book. ... Each poem is witty and thoughtful and enlivens its subject. The detailed acrylic illustrations complement the poems beautifully, and every bird seems to come alive on the spacious spreads. ... Many of the pieces have a rhythmic, chirping quality that make them perfect read-alouds. Bird lovers, poetry enthusiasts, and children looking for a fun read will flock to this stunning title.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

In this carefully planned book, readers simultaneously learn key facts about a variety of birds, absorb different forms of poetry and revel in beautiful artwork. ... The gouache artwork perfectly matches the varying tones and forms of the poetry, which ranges from the humorous one-sentence poem for the macaw to literary accolades for the albatross to philosophizing about the Andean condor’s dark secrets. ... The power of good poetry glides along through the final three pages, which note that the bald eagle doesn’t know the term “bird of prey / though he circles like a prayer // on the rising columns / of the shining, / sun-warmed air.” From the graceful cranes flying across its wraparound cover to the single feather on the title page to the soaring eagle at the end, this book astounds.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Sixteen poems about birds are set against sumptuous landscapes. The poems range from brief, pithy, and humorous to more lyrical and serious. Elliott dedicates the book to Holly Meade, late illustrator of the first three volumes; Stadtlander here brings her own vision, varying palettes and settings to great effect in her rich gouache paintings, mostly double-page spreads. Readers will savor this simple but memorable investigation into the global avian experience.
—Horn Book

Elliott adds a celebration of birds to his collection of lighthearted animal poetry. ... Stadtlander paints the birds with meticulous care, framing them against majestic, muted backgrounds whose overcast skies lend a somber feel.
—Publishers Weekly

Elliott’s delightful poetic picture book is versatile and lends itself as a brief introduction to birds, as an educational poetry book, as an art book of captivating illustrations, and as added entertainment in storytime.
—Booklist Online

From the Publisher