Walker Books Australia
August 2024
ISBN13: 9781760655686
Australia RRP: $26.99
New Zealand RRP: $28.99
Another stunning book in the Nature Storybook series, combining a lyrical, almost poetic, narrative with fascinating facts, this time about Australia’s largest raptor – surely, one of our most magnificent winged creatures. For a bird nerd like myself, they are always a thrill, and on the few occasions I’ve spotted them in the wild, so exciting.
I believe kiddos will love this expedition following the mating season, feeding habits, chicks and their development and can easily envisage some wildlife info activity happening. [Canva now has some terrific choices for these. I’ve also found many free printable versions online.]
Claire Saxby’s wonderful use of descriptive language lends itself perfectly to encouraging students to do similar writing, perhaps, of their own favourite bird or animal. At the same time, Christina Booth’s always magnificent illustrations would be inspirational material for class art activities to follow up a reading.
This is such a marvellous series and fits so perfectly with classroom studies on Australian wildlife, or material related to local areas. I note that there are resources available on some of the subscriber platforms which may be of interest. There are the prepared teaching notes which may be of some additional use and I have added some freebies that you could incorporate.
The other activity I always encourage to tie to books about our native birds is to get involved in the annual Aussie Bird Count. I have done this with children, and then personally since I first started teaching and it’s always rewarding – and the kiddos get really engaged with it.
In all, this is a terrific addition to your wildlife collection and certainly an advantageous resource to support teaching activities, as well as, of course, being enjoyed for both it’s language, illustrations and information. A big 5 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅 rating (we need an Aussie version of this emoji!).
PS, by weird coincidence, I had to come back and edit this after seeing this on ABC tonight!! The Secret Life of Birds – especially the bit about visiting the school and the kids doing the Bird Count!! yayy!
Just So Stories 
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