What's Inside a Bird's Nest? And Other Questions about Nature and Life Cycles, written and illustrated by Rachel Ignotofsky. Crown Books, Penguin Random House. 2024. $26.99 ages 8 amd up

"Birds grow at different speeds. 

Most birds that nest in 
trees are born completely 
dependent on their parents. 

Birds that mature 
after hatching are 
called ALTRICIAL."

As a retired teacher/librarian, I truly appreciate Ms. Ignotofsky's dedication: 

Dedicated to librarians,
who create the perfect "nest"
for hatching young readers. 

At a time when librarians are facing constant bombardment to remove books from their shelves by the misinformed and ultra-conservative public, they need more support than ever by those who know the true value of the work they do. Kids know, and so do their parents and teachers. 

If you have a child or a student in your classroom who has a lasting interest in birds, this is a terrific book to share with them. The author begins with a double-page spread showing variety in nests and baby birds as they wait rather impatiently to be fed. The shape of each nest is unique to the bird described in carefully-placed captions that name the bird species and where it is found in the world. A great start, to be sure! 

A variety of birds is then shown in motion as they find food for those noisy babies. A gentoo penguin dives into the sea, a mute swan splashes across ponds, and a great horned owl hunts in moonlight. Nests are found in interesting places. A bird's life cycle is described from finding a mate, to building a nest, and laying the eggs that will develop into a baby bird. 

A close-up look at an egg on the inside is carefully drawn in cutaway images that show the development from cell to embryo to bird. Each spread is alive with details, carefully captioned artwork, and answers to the questions that so many children have when learning something new. Important terms are highlighted in orange print. As our children learn more about the natural world, they are more likely to become stewards of protection for its future. 

This is a brilliant book, guaranteed to hold attention as young readers explore the world of birds. Artwork 'created traditionally and using a computer' fills the pages with color, action, and a lot of humor. A final page provides a list of sources and resources meant to encourage further exploration and learning.