Title: On the Wing
Written by: David Elliott
Illustrated by: Becca Stadtlander
Published by: Candlewick Press, 2014
Themes/Topics: birds, birding, verse
Suitable for ages: 6-9
Example spread:
Synopsis:
David Elliot and Becca Stadtlander invite the reader to wonder and smile at the variety, specificity, humor, majesty and splendor of fifteen birds—from the garden sparrow to the soaring Andean Condor and the prancing flamingos of the Carribbean. The narrative for each bird is in witty verse and the illustrations are detailed, realistic nature paintings of each species in its perfect habitat.
Why I like This Book:
An enchanting and instructional book, which offers young readers a beautiful and entertaining introduction to both verse and birdlife. The stanzas are informative and lyrical, infused with the specific movement and color of each of the birds. For example, the humming bird verse flits and buzzes across the first pages in spurts. The flamingo poem is full of the same energy as the flamboyance of flamingoes taking flight seen in the illustration. Or listen to this perfect rhythm and word choice.
Oh pity then the bowerbird! Nature’s fussy, lovesick architect.
Activities/resources:
If you are doing a unit on birds, I would pair this with Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple’s YOU NEST HERE WITH ME, FEATHERS NOT JUST FOR FLYING, Written by Melissa Stewart & Illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen, and for some flight humor, FLIGHT SCHOOL by Lita Judge.
Here is the trailer for ON THE WING:
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
This book is a gem. I love the illustrations. Listened to the video and it is so powerful. What a beautiful book of poetry about birds.
Loving the video! Thanks. I cower listening to the Great Horned owl in one of my front trees too!
Thanks for introducing me to this. The video is wonderful. I laughed out loud at the crow’s caw-caw-phony!
lovely book – lovely art, wonderful poetry. So peaceful just to open the pages and relax into the flow of the words and images.
What a treasure of a book!