What Makes a Bird? An Illustrated Guide to the Bird World

As soon as I set eyes on this hardback, I was enticed to open it and get reading! The attractive front cover is beautifully embossed, and the endpapers perfectly illustrate all kinds of feathers and eggs. Not only is the text well written in bite sized pieces, but the layout, structure and brightly coloured illustrations are to be highly commended. This is a fine example of a publication where all parts contribute to a gorgeous and successful whole.

The helpful Contents page announces the four sections of the book: What Makes a Bird? Where Do Birds Live? What Do Birds Do? Becoming a Birder. Each spread concentrates on one aspect of the section and there are various Fact Files throughout. These are spreads on the following subjects: Feathers, Eyes, Beaks, Navigation and Nests.

This non-fiction book is packed with all sorts of interesting and amazing facts such as, ‘All birds have a third eyelid. This helps protect them from sunlight, even while looking directly into the sun.’ (p. 24.) Young people will be enthused about birds from the information and stunning illustrations throughout. The beautiful drawing on pp. 50-51 displaying a flamboyance of flamingoes is just one example of the talented illustrator at work here.

Nadeem Perera who has written the text is also a wildlife tv presenter. His skill and experience in this field shines through the book, encouraging the reader to learn more about birds and to get involved protecting them. ‘How You Can Help’ (pp. 74-75) is the final spread and provides ideas to get young people active in their community, for example.

In addition, there is a useful Glossary and Index provided to aid access to this brilliant hardback. Suitable for anyone aged 7 upwards this is the perfect book for an adult to share with a youngster, or for an older student to enjoy at home or in the library.