Indies Forword 2024 Book of the Year

Juvenile Nonfiction Finalist

In my nonfiction picture book So Many Ways To Be a Bird, discover the surprising world of bird adaptation where each egg, beak, and wing has a unique story. Over time, birds have brilliantly adapted to a changing environment which is why there is a wide variety of bird sizes, nests, beaks, wings, feet, and feathers.  The vibrant illustrations throughout the book help readers 4-8 identify birds, and inspire protection for them. Catie Clune, Education Director at Audubon Canyon Ranch says that, “From the floating nests of a grebe to the clever mobbing technique of crows, this beautifully illustrated book reveals the secrets of nature’s most fascinating flyers. Perfect for budding naturalists and art lovers alike.”

---

So Many Ways To Be a Bird…Engaging and Informative. This appealing title showcases some of the most obvious adaptations that differentiate bird species, including size, feet, flight, nests, eggs, hatchlings, beaks, and vocalizations, each in a spread or two. The narrative reads aloud smoothly, and the illustrations show well. Readers who are also knowledgeable birders will appreciate the way every bird, identified or not, is recognizable. For young readers or browsers, the two-level text offers flexibility. Accurate and interesting facts and imagery will make this a positive addition to readers’ nature collections.  —Kirkus Reviews

In her books, Constance embraces that place where learning about this world of ours opens doors to more questions … that ephemeral place where curiosity and wonder make magic. Our world so needs that magic and children who have been steeped in it. In So Many Ways to Be a Bird, Constance lends her particular blend of artistry and love of natural history to the world of our feathered neighbors.  Imagine having to feed your babies a hundred times a day or migrating thousands of miles or knowing a hundred songs by heart.  Imagine being a bird.” — Gwen Heistand, Biologist, Educator, and Terwilliger Environmental Award Winner

Written mainly in prose with some internal rhymes, Anderson celebrates the many, varied species of birds in the world, observing, “There are so many ways to be a bird.” The text groups concepts such as how different birds’ feet, beaks, or wings are well adapted to their needs and the nicely arranged, colorful illustrations allow viewers to envision the birds and physical features discussed. An attractive introduction to birds.  —American Library Association Booklist