About Parrots

August 1, 2014

Gr 1-3-Eighteen species of parrots are featured in a series of attractive spreads. While young bird enthusiasts will appreciate the simple text of the book, with only a single sentence per page, older readers will enjoy the in-depth information found toward the end of the book. For instance, a spread featuring a kakapo reads simply, "It is important to protect parrots and the places where they live," while the corresponding paragraph at the back of the book goes into more depth, describing the kakapos as flightless parrots that live on the ground, leaving them vulnerable to cats and rats introduced by humans, resulting in their near extinction. The author offers solid material, including food for thought about the pet parrot industry and the risk of disappearing habitats. The watercolor paintings are real showstoppers-the parrots stand out like jewels against muted landscapes. With this volume, the Sills add another respectful examination of wildlife to their noteworthy repertoire.-Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2014
A vibrant variety of parrots is portrayed in clear, vivid watercolor illustrations with a simple text describing physical characteristics and habits.Each full-color plate shows one or two parrot species in the appropriate habitat in flight, feeding or nesting. The paintings occupy the right of each two-page opening, with a single sentence on the left side pitched for very young readers and listeners. More information appears in the brief but rich backmatter paragraphs, with one paragraph per plate. The text could have been further enriched with maps and size charts: "Some parrots are big. Others are small." The contrasting sizes of the hyacinth macaws and buff-faced pygmy parrots that appear in the accompanying picture are mentioned in the backmatter-but a young audience might want to know the relative sizes of others. Too, a visual guide to the locations of parrot species might help readers who are wondering how close a parrot habitat might be found. Readers encountering this book on its own will learn that parrots are birds but will need to know that birds have feathers and lay eggs-neither is specifically addressed. While vocalizations are mentioned, readers wanting to know which ones can "talk" with humans will be disappointed.Overall, though, this is a uniquely attractive work with which to round out the bird section, and it is overall an appealing and comprehensive introduction. (Informational picture book. 3-8)

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August 1, 2014
Grades K-2 This handsome book introduces parrots through realistic paintings and simply written text. On each double-page spread, a full-page picture illustrating a particular species faces a white page that identifies the bird and briefly comments on the characteristics, behaviors, and habitats of parrots. The lengthy back matter includes a small reproduction of each plate, accompanied by a paragraph that offers more information about the species of parrot shown. For instance, plate 18 shows a green bird sitting on a log. The text identifies it as a kakapo and reads, It is important to protect parrots and the places where they live. The back matter then discusses why parrots are endangered and offers facts about the kakapo. Written by a former teacher and illustrated by a painter educated in wildlife biology, this book presents basic information along with varied, beautiful watercolor paintings. A colorful addition to the long-running About . . . series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2015
A simple sentence or two of text on left-hand pages face detailed full-page paintings of more than eighteen parrots worldwide on the right. Each numbered and labeled plate corresponds to an afterword that contains a fact-filled paragraph with more information on the bird (distribution, habitat, food, special capabilities, etc.). Easily accessible initially, the information expands with the reader's skill. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)