The Young Birder's Guide To Birds Of North America (Peterson Field Guides)

I've been reading field guides to birds for about fifty years. Bill Thompson's "Young Birder's Guide to Birds of North America" is, without question, the best I've seen for beginning birders. I've purchased one for my granddaughter and another for a family of young nieces. I'm quite sure that they are not the last.When Bill wrote the book, he got plenty of input from his son Liam, daughter Phoebe, and her 5th grade class. It shows. There is plenty of information for interested folks of all ages, but it is carefully written so as to neither patronize young readers, nor to be too far over their heads. I read my granddaughter's copy before handing it over, and there was a lot that was news to this old birder.There are about three hundred species included, with identifying marks, information about habits, range maps and a variety of photographs, in addition to drawings by his wife, the wildlife artist Julie Zickefoose. The book is readable, portable, durable, and complete enough to satisfy most bird lovers who are interested in the birds in their backyards and local woods. It might require a bit of supplementation when the Spring and Fall migrants are moving, but in most situations it will get the job done. More importantly, it entertains as well as informs.The author is editor of "Bird Watcher's Digest," and leads birding trips all over the world. He, Julie and the kids, are well-known in birding venues. He also plays guitar, sings and writes for The Rain Crows, a band popular in Eastern Ohio and in birding sites across America.Disclaimer: the Thompson family are friends, but I was not asked to write this review. If I hadn't liked the book, I would simply not have written anything.

I bought this for the 11-year old daughter of a woman who was hanging wallpaper for us. I was showing her all the birds in our yard and she was very interested and picked up on them quickly. I ordered the book, had it in 2 days with Amazon Prime, and gave it to her the next time she came over with her mother. I also handed her a pack of those little colored Post-It tabs that you use to show someone where to sign a document. I told her she could mark the pages of the ones she liked. As she went through the book she would say "OHHHHHHHHHH!!!" at each bird that caught her eye and would pull out a tab and stick it on the page. A few more pages and another "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!". When she left there were about 25 tabs sticking out of the top of the book. I think she'll have it a long time. Probably the best investment I've ever made.

Our 6 year old granddaughter has developed quite an interest in bird watching. Her intent interest in our bird feeder prompted us to find a guide that she could use and this is it. She frequently packs her guide around and now we are getting her some binoculars.

I love the way this book is laid out. Lots of easy to understand information. Gave this book to our grandsons, who are too young to read, but the oldest is already studying the pictures. He loves nature and animals. It is a great book for adults too, not juvenile at all.

Our six year old Granddaughter loves this book and it has taught her so much..... her knowledge of birds has excelled since we gave her this book...

Got this for my 7 year old! Her and Grandma are avid Birders. This is a great starter book for kids, or for a newbie Birder! It has wonderful pictures!

Certainly not super in-depth, but a great starter book. My 3 yr old is an avid border & enjoys thumbing through this book & if we need more info on a particular bird at the feeder we go online.

My 8 year old loves her bird watching book! We have identified several birds in our backyard and traveling around. I love that there is a space to write the date that the bird was seen, and my daughter loves reading the facts about each bird that we find. This was a Christmas gift that I gave her, along with a pair of binoculars.