Description
A whimsical, inquiry-based meditation on why a bird is a bird
In this evocative picture book, a child wanders through nature with one question: what makes a bird a bird? Is it feathers? What about a beak? Could it be wings? With each possible answer, more questions arise. If laying eggs makes a bird a bird, what about turtles, snakes, or fish? If flying is the thing, are penguins still birds? Ultimately, the narrator concludes that a bird is a bird, with or without feathers, beaks, or the ability to fly!
Accompanied by gorgeous illustrations and subtle STEM content, this thoughtful picture book invites readers to think about what makes us human and how we categorize and identify the world around us.
Prizes
- Victoria Children's Book PrizeShort-listed 2025
Review Quotes
"The beautiful book playfully takes on an enormous (and important) question, and it’s sure to spark conversation ... A fun philosophical and scientific debate wrapped in a particularly pretty package."
— Booklist"A wonderfully thought-provoking picture book ... Child-friendly, contemplative text encourages scientific, empathetic, and poetic thinking that ponders deeply."
— Shelf Awareness"A cleverly open-ended answer to a big question."
— Kirkus Reviews