My Friend Alyson Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy hosts a weekly link up to share Nonfiction Picture Books. Please visit her amazing website.
Oh my word, it has been at least a month since I have posted and linked up a nonfiction picture book. Now that there is a week of school left, I am beginning to see a few streams of light at the end of the tunnel.
by Melissa Stewart
Illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen
Published 2014 by Charlesbridge
32 pages
Nonfiction Picture Book
Summary from Goodreads
Young naturalists meet sixteen birds in this elegant introduction to the many uses of feathers. A concise main text highlights how feathers are not just for flying. More curious readers are invited to explore informative sidebars, which underscore specific ways each bird uses its feathers for a variety of practical purposes. A scrapbook design showcases life-size feather illustrations.
My Thoughts
Melissa Stewart has written over 150 books for children! She is a nonfiction master who does her research. One thing about this nonfiction picture book that is different from many other animal books is that Melissa Stewart and Sarah Brannen show how each of the different types of feathers is similar to something children they can relate to. For example, "Feathers can shade out the sun like an umbrella" or "Feathers can soak up water like a sponge". Then the illustrations and information clarify the similarities. I feel this connection would be very engaging for young readers and help them understand birds when they see them in their natural habitats. Stewart has certainly done her research here and Brannen's illustrations are incredibly life-like.
Use this book...
as part of an animal unit.
to practice nonfiction reading.
to compare and contrast.
as a mentor text for using similes in writing.
Teachers, grab Melissa Stewart's Teacher's Guide for curriculum connections and activity ideas. She also has a video about how she used similes in this book.
Her whole website is amazing. Click here to visit.
Companion Texts
Click on the cover to learn more about these books.
Other Resources
Here is a video that takes a close look at feathers.
I really enjoyed this one from Melissa Stewart but then again I am a fan of hers. I like the tie-in to other books that you include at the end. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLoved this book - I think you could also talk about animal adaptations with this one. Thanks for sharing the extra resources to use!
ReplyDeleteI love Melissa Stewart but had no idea she's written 150 books. I need to get reading! Her website resources are such a support to teachers, too.
ReplyDeleteI loved Look Up! and this would definitely match well with it. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI agree with these companion book suggestions. Birds are so fascinating. I bought this Melissa Stewart title this spring and look forward to sharing it with my students.
ReplyDeleteI should read more books by Melissa Stewart - still have not found these bird books in our library. Looking forward to finding it soon.
ReplyDelete