Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard

Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard

Written and Illustrated by: Annette Leblanc Cate

Published by: Candlewick Press

Published on: March 12, 2014

Ages: 4+

Provided by the published for review. All opinions are my own.









On February 14, the winners of the annual Cybils awards for children's literature were announced. I was lucky enough to be on the nonfiction panel and we chose Look Up! as the best nonfiction book of 2013.

Look Up! isn't just a title, it's an invitation to a whole new avian world. Annette Cate gives a plethora of information about birds, how to find them, and what to look for, as well as sketching tips useful to the burgeoning bird watcher.

The detailed information provided by Cate is only improved by the engaging narrator, who adds flair and humour. Look Up! A Guide to Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard is sure to convert plenty of new bird-watchers. It is Cate's unbridled passion which really makes this book.

This post was for Nonfiction Monday, hosted at the Nonfiction Monday blog.

Out The Window

Out The Window

Written and Illustrated by: Cybèle Young

Published by: Groundwood Books

Published on: February 25, 2014

Ages: 0+

Provided by the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

This adorable board book is like two completely different books in one- parallel literary worlds, if you like, but for the youngest of us.

An adorable animal loses his ball out the window- and then the adventure starts! The ball takes him to colourful places outside of the scope of his small area. This is perfect for littles who are starting to realize there is more to the world than their little play area. 

Governor General’s Award winner Young is able to make a few simple phrases into a big adventure, and just by changing the font the meaning can completely change. This double story, of what goes on both inside and outside the window, would be great fun for any toddler.