Fly

LoveReading4Kids Says

September 2024 Book of the Month | Shortlisted for the 2024 Wainwright Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation

David Lindo’s passion for birds is catching, especially in this fascinating and beautifully illustrated information book.

Across fifteen sections we encounter no less than 150 different birds, grouped according to habitat or distinguishing feature. The ‘hero’ of the section entitled Fantastic Feet for example is the harpy eagle, native to the rainforests of Central and South America and able to carry monkeys in its huge talons.

The flamingo is the hero of the Friendly Flocks, the sooty shearwater the hero of the Open Ocean, while the hero of the Urban Jungle is the peregrine falcon, an increasingly familiar sight to those of us who live in cities, and able to swoop on prey at speeds of up to 320km an hour.

Each double page spread is carefully laid out and gorgeous to look at, and text and illustration both carry huge amounts of information. In amongst the details of birds, their bodies and habits, are scattered snippets of myth and folklore, perfectly demonstrating mankind’s long-time fascination with our feathered neighbours.

The final section is on conservation and explains what we need to do to protect birds threatened with extinction; it’s likely that all readers, filled with new knowledge and enthusiasm, will be inspired to do more in this regard.

Andrea Reece

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