| The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books |
| The Bulletin Dozen is a monthly theme-based list of titles available only on-line. Since we're awfully fond of bakers here at the Bulletin, we thought we'd adopt their philosophy of generosity and throw in an extra one or two when we have them to offer--so don't expect an even dozen. Please feel free to copy, download, or link to these lists. We ask only that you cite the source. See the archive for lists from previous months. Wings and Things
This list was going to be about Birds of a Feather, but then some bats and butterflies and other aeronautic critters started horning in, so we'll just devote the list to wings. Prepare for takeoff. --Deborah Stevenson, Associate Editor
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- Andersen, Hans Christian. The Ugly Duckling; ad. and illus. by Jerry Pinkney. Morrow, 1999. 5-9 yrs.
Pinkney's adaptation of Andersen's tale about an avian misfit provides evocative double-spreads that visually enhance the story as well as a concise and effective retelling. (BCCB 3/99). - Bishop, Nic. The Secrets of Animal Flight; written and illus. with photographs by Nic Bishop. Houghton, 1997. Gr. 3-6.
Flight is not only beautiful, it's interesting, and Bishop's cogent explanations (aided by crisp photos and detailed diagrams) enjoyably explore the science behind it. (BCCB 6/97) - Fleischman, Paul. I Am Phoenix: Poems for Two Voices; illus. by Ken Nutt. Harper, 1985. Gr. 6 up.
This title follows Fleischman's more famous Joyful Noise, using that book's choral approach for a series of bird verses. (BCCB 10/85) - Fleming, Candace.When Agnes Caws; illus. by Gisele Potter. Schwartz/Atheneum, 1999. 5-7 yrs.
Agnes, an ornithologist's daughter, has a talent for calling birds, but will the villanous Colonel Pittsnap coopt this talent for his own evil ends? (BCCB 2/99) - Florian, Douglas. On the Wing; written and illus. by Douglas Florian. Harcourt, 1996. 5-8 yrs
Florian's near-nonsense poetry pairs with avian portraits for an offbeat look at the world of birds. (BCCB 4/96) - Hamilton, Virginia, ad. When Birds Could Talk and Bats Could Sing: The Adventures of Bruh Sparrow, Sis Wren, and Their Friends; illus. by Barry Moser. Blue Sky/Scholastic, 1996. Gr. 3-5.
Adaptations of folktales and original stories gathered from post-Civil War African-Americans, these tales give Brer Rabbit's feathered kin their own time in the spotlight. (BCCB 6/96) - Jarrell, Randall. The Bat-Poet; illus. by Maurice Sendak. Macmillan, 1964. Gr. 4-8.
Jarrell's classic about a poetic young bat still retains all its original charm. - Kindl, Patrice. Owl in Love. Houghton, 1993. Gr. 7-12
Owl is actually a wereowl, by day a young teenage girl, and she's been catapulted into owl adulthood with her crush in the biology teacher in this haunting and humorous fantasy. (BCCB 10/93) - Lasky, Kathryn. Monarchs; illus. with photographs by Christopher Knight. Gulliver Green/Harcourt, 1993. Gr. 4-6
Knight's vivid color photography enhances this smooth account of the monarch butterfly's life and migration. (BCCB 11/93) - Lerner, Carol. On the Wing: American Birds in Migration. Harper, 2001. Gr. 5-8
Picture-book format, attractive bird portraits, and helpful maps and diagrams make this exploration of migration easy to understand and enjoy. (BCCB 6/01) - McDermott, Gerald, ad. Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest; ad. and illus. by Gerald McDermott. Harcourt, 1993. 4-6 yrs.
McDermott's effortless retelling and stylized yet luminous art gives this legendary trickster his picture-book due. (BCCB 6/93) - McMillan, Bruce. Nights of the Pufflings; written and illus. with photographs by Bruce McMillan. Houghton, 1995. 4-10 yrs.
This original nonfiction picturebook tells of young Icelanders' role in saving the baby puffins that stray by mistake into towns. (BCCB 3/95) - Tyrrell, Esther Quesada. Hummingbirds: Jewels in the Sky; illus. with photographs by Robert A. Tyrrell. Crown, 1992. Gr. 3-6.
Truly stunning photography highlights this slim volume about the tiny, high-energy hummingbird. (BCCB 2/93) - Wattenberg, Jane, ad. Henny Penny; ad. and illus. with photographs by Jane Wattenberg. Scholastic, 2000. 3-7 yrs.
The frenetic fowl receives her picture-book due in this loopy interpretation featuring hilarious graphically enhanced photographs. (BCCB 5/00) - White, E. B. Trumpet of the Swan; illus. by Edward Frascino. Harper, 1970. Gr. 4-6.
Louis, the swan who needs a little extra assistance with his trumpeting, remains an endearing feathered protagonist. (BCCB 10/70)
This page was last updated on May 1, 2001.