Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Swallows in the Birdhouse
Illustrator: Robin Brickman
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 8
Boyds Mills Press, 2005 ISBN: 978-1590783290
Hayley and Martin have put a bird house in their yard and they are eager to see if they are going to be lucky enough to get a bird couple to raise their family in the house this season. To their delight, in early May, a tree swallow and his mate start building a nest in the house. Soon six little white eggs are lying in the nest and after two patient weeks the eggs hatch.
Not only will readers enjoy following the story of the swallows, but they will also find that they learn a lot about this beautiful bird species and about birds in general. They will quickly come to recognize the stages that the baby birds go through before they are ready to make the long annual migration south.
The simple and lovingly told story in this picture book is beautifully complimented by truly stunning artwork. The illustrator has created lovely three-dimensional pictures for many of the pages, capturing the intimate details and inherent beauty of the swallows and their environment. At the back of the book the author has included two sections which will give the reader further information about tree swallows. Young bird enthusiasts will also be thrilled to find a section that gives directions on how to build a tree swallow birdhouse and how to attract birds to the house.
