Picture books about birds
We've put together a list of some of our favourite feathered-friend tales.
From classics like Owl Babies, to a book full of birdsong and a wild goose adventure, these books are full of beautiful images, rhymes, wonder and fun and will have younger children flocking for a story.
Take a look at the books and our reviews below, or click here to print out a lovely illustrated version to take along to the library or bookshop.
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Owl Babies
Author: Martin Waddell Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-7
Reading age: 6+This reassuring and stunningly illustrated book tackles the subject of temporary separation - a situation which all children are likely to experience, be it Mum going to work or first day at Nursery.
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Listen to the Birds
Author: Marion Billet
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 0-3
Listen to the calls of six different garden birds in this beautiful little book. From blackbirds to pigeons, just press the button on each page to hear what they sound like - and then perhaps step into your garden or park to see if you can hear them in the wild.
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Blackbird, Blackbird, What Do You Do?
Author: Kate McLelland
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 2-4
Pip the blackbird is on a quest to find out what it is that blackbirds are really good at. This soft, beautiful picture book combines Pip's story with a non-fiction element that describes what different birds do in simple but useful terms.
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Wings!
Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Jane Porter
Publisher: Otter-Barry
Interest age: 3-5
Reading age: 5-7So many birds can fly, so why can't Penguin? Paul Stewart's sweet, funny text and Jane Porter's characterful collage illustrations combine into a really heartwarming story about fulfilling your potential and staying content and unique.
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Max and Bird
Author: Ed Vere
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 5+Ed Vere's delightful stories are always full of pitch-perfect language that is always silly in just the right places. There is also a comfortable sense of warm friendship between Max and Bird, which young readers will return to again and again.
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Wild Goose
Author: Laura Wall
Publisher: Award Publications
Interest age: 2-5
Reading age: 5-7The eighth picture book in the Goose series, Wild Goose continues unusual friendship between Sophie and her goose. This particular story connects children to the wildness around them in a safe and imaginative way, encouraging them to go and play outside.
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Silly Suzy Goose
Author: Petr Horacek
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 2-3
A delightful collection of action-filled pages; the illustrations fit the text perfectly and will greatly entertain young readers, while introducing new vocabulary for actions and sounds.
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I am Actually a Penguin
Author: Sean Taylor Illustrator: Kasia Matyjaszek
Publisher: Templar Publishing
Interest age: 0-5
The little girl in this story LOVES dressing up and pretending to be something new – and, last week, she got a penguin costume. A funny and vibrant story that rings true for any child who loves to immerse themselves in play.
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Can You Say It Too? Cheep! Cheep!
Author: Sebastien Braun
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 0-2
Little ones will love this sturdy board book with big, simple and colourful flaps. An animal theme is always popular, but the flaps and 'can you say it too?' animal sounds make this board book extra interactive.
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Yeti and the Bird
Author: Nadia Shireen
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+Yeti is all alone in the forest: he is so big and scary that all the animals leave him alone. Then one day a funny little orange bird turns up
