A Bird Is a Bird, written and illlustrated by Lizzy Rockwell. Holiday House, Thomas Allen & Son. 2015. $21.95 ages 3 and up

"A bird is a bird because ...
a bird starts out in an egg.

An egg can be
in a nest in a tree.

An egg can be
in a nest on the ground.

But wait!"

There are certain characteristics that only birds have. Lizzy Rockwell makes that perfectly clear to her young readers in this fine new book. Accurate and wonderfully designed to introduce a preschool audience to more than 40 different species on full and double-page spreads, she imparts much information in a simple, concise text. Each of those birds is accurately labelled, shown in their own habitat and doing what birds do.

Other animals may share some notable similarities:

"A platypus has a beak.

A fly has wings.

And a snake starts out in an egg."

Does that make them birds? Well, do they have feathers? A bird has feathers!

They need those feathers for many reasons. The artist clearly displays each of the functions in her accurate, colorful images. The birds are as varied as their size, their behaviors and their homes. Young children will learn a lot when they spend time carefully considering each illustration. The simple sentences make it accessible for the target audience.

This is a book that will be shared numerous times, making it a great addition to a classroom or a personal library for young ornithologists.