One year, I received a bird feeder for my birthday. It has turned out to be one of the most enjoyable gifts for our family since that time. As we sit at our kitchen table, we can watch a variety of birds feast on the seeds we left them. Just yesterday, we observed a mouse under the feeder eating fallen seeds. A highlight of my 2 year-old’s day and an icky moment for mom! Today, we are exploring books about birds. I hope that you will be inspired to observe nature with your kids, enjoy some books and engage in a few literacy activities that I have to share! Books About BirdsBird Watch by Christie MathesonThis one is a great introduction and inspiration for bird watching through all the seasons. Plus, you can bird watch right in the book and find the birds on each page. The dedication sums it up by E.B. White, “Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” You’ll want to grab a bird guide from the library and head out into nature after reading. Birds by Kevin HenkesYour little ones will enjoy this book. It’s a good introductory book to all the different shapes, sizes and colors of birds. Bird Talk: What Birds are Saying and Why by Lita JudgeDid you ever wonder what all those tweets mean? This book explores the meaning behind all those bird songs. Birds, Nests and Eggs (Take Along Guides) by Mel BoringThis guide is meant to be taken on a bird watch! You will learn how to spot nests and identify a bird’s eggs. This book will help you identify over 100 species of birds from the east coast to the west coast. Hummingbird by Nicola DaviesIt’s specifically about the Ruby-throated hummingbirds which weigh less than a nickel. The book is informative and beautiful. Don’t miss the endpapers-GORGEOUS. I’m half tempted to get out the messing hummingbird feeder again. Bird Related Literacy IdeasKeeping a bird journal is a wonderful way to integrate science, art, reading and writing. Purchase a blank journal or design your own. Have your child draw and write about birds they discover in their own backyard or when you are traveling. I like this journal from bookjournals store on Etsy. The covers are made from recycled hardcover books! The one pictured below is $14 plus shipping. Bird Identification HousesWe created birdhouses and nests for birds that we see outside our window. Using various art supplies we designed our houses and nests. Then I did a search and printed images of birds that are common to our area. We cut these out and attached them to a house/nest and labeled each one. They now hang on the window where we watch the birds at our feeder. For a little math practice, you could keep a sheet of paper next to each house and tally the number of times you see each type of bird over the span of a week. Do you have a favorite book about birds or a bird related activity? I’d love to hear your ideas.