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Friday, July 12, 2019

Birds of a Feather: Bowerbirds and Me, written and illustrated by Susan Roth. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House. 2019. $24.99 ages 5 and up


"The differences between
a bowerbird and me are
fewer than you might
expect.

We are both
collectors
of unusual,
often unrelated
stuff."

There are so many people I want to tell about this gorgeous and unusual book! So, I will start with you.

Susan Roth, a noted collage artist whose work I have admired in previous posts, immediately introduces her readers to the bowerbird and allows that they have many things in common. Each likes to collect things - things that have nothing to do with each other and that are often seen as quite amazing. Each double page spread consists of matching images of the two doing what they do best. They collect, they design, they build artful things in small spaces, each putting them together with a different purpose in mind.

Ms. Roth wants to tell a story. The bowerbird wants to attract a mate. They are always changing the design of the work they do. Their process is very similar while using comparable tools. They even want their work to stand the test of time, despite its fragility. And, they look for praise.

"Where do we get our ideas?
We get them
from the spaces we choose
for our compositions,
from our chosen materials,
and from the world around us."

As he creates his nest, she creates this book.

How stunningly beautiful and beautifully creative this book truly is. I have read it again and again, poring over its pages - always seeing something different from what I saw the last time. I will continue to do so. It is definitely a keeper!

 End matter includes facts about bowerbirds, how they work, how I work, and how we are the same. A bibliography follows and is accompanied by a clear photo of the Male Satin Bowerbird.

                                                                               

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