‘An Omnibird contains the essential birdiness of every bird – it was born from an egg, has feathers, two legs, a beak and gizzard, perhaps some premium features like spurs or a curuncle. Once you recognise the Omnibird, you’ll see the remarkable in any bird. You’ll be expert at finding extraordinary things around you, just by looking.’
Omnibird invites readers to slow down, pause for a moment and really look at the feathered life around us.
We begin by exploring the small, everyday opportunities for omnibirding: eating lunch outdoors, glancing out a bus window, even noticing the background of a TV scene. All of these become tiny chances for delight as you spot birds going about their business.
As an omnibirder, you start to read a bird the way others read a map. Long legs or short ones, webbed feet, the shape of the neck, the colours, the many varieties of beaks – every feature has a story.
There are playful strategies for investigating birdlife: pretend you’re not looking, or go all-in and blend into the scenery by dressing like a tree.
Birds in flight can be tricky to identify, but we’re given clever tips. Are their wings pointy or splayed? Are they flying solo or with company?
We learn about all sorts of fascinating details: bird tongues, bills, caruncles, feet and eggs, from shell colours and patterns to how an egg forms. There’s even a guide to dissecting the one on your breakfast plate. Readers discover how birds disperse seeds, what makes nocturnal birds special, the wide range of nests and the early days of new chicks. There’s even advice on gently guiding a bird back outside if it ends up indoors.
A cast of birds from across the globe flits through these pages, from vibrant parrots to the tiniest Bee Hummingbird.
The book’s lively, light-hearted writing is matched with wonderfully playful illustrations that keep the whole journey buoyant.
A terrific way to spark curiosity in any young reader and transform them into an omnibirder. I suspect I’m signing up too!
Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 8+
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Giselle Clarkson is an illustrator and comic artist based in Greytown, New Zealand, known for her comics on conservation and environmental topics. She has illustrated award-winning picture books and nonfiction and is a 2023 Arts Foundation Laureate, receiving the prestigious Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award.
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