Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for my gifted copy of What Makes a Bird? by Megan Pomper. I loved that this was a nonfiction book with so many facts and asks some really great questions. On top of this, the illustrations are gorgeous; bright, vivid and connects the reader. I cannot wait to get this one for my classroom.

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There were 2 great things about this picture book: the illustrations are just gorgeous, bright and colorful and with a grand perspective. The text questions: what is a bird? and answers the question in simple language, but in the same logical, organized way we learn in biology. What a brilliant way to introduce early science concepts! Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

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In Megan Pomper's What Makes a Bird?, a boy is very curious about birds. To determine what makes a bird, he asks:

Is a bird a bird because it has feathers?

Is a bird a bird because it has a beak?

Is a bird a bird because it has wings?

Does laying eggs make a bird?

Flying? That's got to be it.

Is it the nest that makes a bird?

He wonders who decides what makes a bird. Can he? Can one conjure up anything in their minds? As he ponders these questions, his imagination soars, envisioning fantastical creatures. The boy's curiosity fuels his creativity. This leads him to understand that defining what makes a bird is not just about biology, but also about the endless possibilities of the mind.

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This book was given to me through Netgalley for my honest review. I want to thank Netgalley, the Author, and the Publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

This was a cute little story about the curiosity of a little child and how they want to know what makes a bird. I think that this shows the curiosity of a child well and that it shows that asking questions and finding the answers is never a bad thing. It's in fact a way to make sure that you are able to question the world around you and to continue to learn and grow.

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The art is so pretty. Feels like a watercolor painting. The end had a key that showed what type of birds were in the book. It was a nice and had a lot of birds I wasn't familiar with.

5 stars

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I love this book! There is a clear way that the author organized this book, and it worked out perfectly, and it is apparent that every writing detail was carefully thought out, making this book very well-written and a joy to read. These aspects of the writing allow the reader's mind to be calm and go with the flow of the words. Part of this is also due to the breathtaking illustrations. The soft colors, wind depictions, and variety of birds brought the entire book to life, and transports the reader into this book's unique world. I adored these elements of the book which also make this story appropriate for any time of the day. Lastly, it was such a smart idea to include the index of the birds from the book (with pictures) at the back of the book, adding an educational level to this book. On top of that, the three purely artistic drawings and the "name these birds" activity will definitely spark any young reader's creativity.
Bravo!

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This is a book that is very informative for children about different types of birds.
The illustrations are colorful and eye catching.
I think children who are interested in birds and want to learn more about them will like this one.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

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What a fun book! I love the questions that I poses for children, getting them to think more deeply about attributes that identify birds (or anything else).

The illustrations are beautiful and engaging. I’ll definitely be looking to purchase this book to use with my preschool class!

Thank you to NetGalley and Owlkids books for sending me a copy to review.

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What Makes a Bird? is a beautiful picture book full of insightful questions as to what part of a bird makes them a bird. From feathers to flying, many questions are posed, promoting discussion among readers. The illustrations are colorful and captivating; this was a joy to read, and I would recommend it for any child with an interest in birds.
Thanks Owlkids and NetGalley for the ARC in trade for an honest review.

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This book goes over how to grow your own wild garden! I thought this book was beautiful and a wonderful way to get children excited about wildlife and gardening. The illustrations in this book are breathtaking and do a wonderful job at showing different wild life. If you're interested in starting your own wild garden I recommend checking this book out!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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Absolutely charming existential discussion on what makes a bird--is it its physical attributes? what it can do? what it's made for? how we see it? The book provides questions and let's you answer them opening up more ideas of perception, and what makes anyone or anything what they are--I can't help but think about identity and self awareness too.

Really lovely idea with beautiful digital illustrations.

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A wonderfully imaginative book about what, exactly, makes a bird a bird. Is it their wings? Beaks? Nests? Our main character takes us exploring through many different kinds of birds (even ones from their imagination!) to try and figure it out.

This book is perfectly in sync with children's often endless curiosity, and the accompanying illustrations are gorgeous and immersive. I especially love that the author included a reference in the back pages for each bird shown!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This book is absolutely stunning. The illustrations are breathtaking. I loved that the actual birds and their names were in a glossary in the back of the book. As for the story, it reminded me of a poem I read a while ago that attempted to describe what it is to be human. The root of this story is that birds cannot be defined by a single characteristic, they are so varied and different that it’s nearly impossible to find a descriptor for every bird, but at the end of the day, what’s common between them is that they are birds. I think in a day and age when our country and the world is so focused on differences, this is a timely reminder that at our roots, we are all human and that truth connects us. I love that this is simply and beautifully illustrated in color and story for little ones. I highly recommend this book for anyone with kids that they are raising to be empathetic and kind.

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