Look Up! Birdwatching in Your Own Backyard

Look Up! Birdwatching in Your Own Backyard
by Annette LeBlanc Cate [j598.072 Cat]

The colorful graphics of the cover of this youth non-fiction title jumped out at me when a customer was returning it, and I snagged it for a quick read. And that's exactly what is was -- I finished this book in only about an hour. Despite the speed with which I finished it, I really enjoyed this humorous but informative guide to "birding" for kids and teens. The author/artist provides lively illustrations on every single page, and her descriptions of how to go about becoming a bird watcher are funny but inspirational. Her hand-drawn illustrations of dozens, if not hundreds of different bird species are surprisingly well-done. My only complaint about the the art is that Cates regularly chooses to insert "cartoon" versions of the birds -- especially with word balloon captions, as if the feathered critters are speaking to her (the writer) or you (the reader). Despite this awkward element, I can see this book being a great guide for kids just starting off at becoming bird enthusiasts. With the annual Christmas Backyard Bird Count coming up here in December, this might be the perfect time to introduce youngsters in your family to how fascinating bird-watching can be as a hobby, and Look Up! Birdwatching in Your Own Backyard is the perfect way to make that introduction! -- recommended by bird-watcher Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [If younger readers like this light-hearted approach, once you've got them hooked then introduce them to the Audubon Guides or Peterson's Field Guides or Sibley's Guides, with their more realistic reproductions of North America's fine fowl!]

[ publishers' official Look Up! web page ]

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The Big Year

The Big Year
[DVD Big]

The Big Year is a bird watching comedy starring Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, and Jack Black as birding enthusiasts. Nearly every bird watching enthusiast keeps a life list of birds they have watched over the years. The Big Year takes bird watching to an over the top competitive level in which Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, and Jack Black commit to a year of extreme bird watching, with a goal to see as many birds in one year as possible. The comedy begins with the background stories of each bird watcher. Steve Martin as Stu Preissler is a very successful retiring CEO wanting to do a big year for his bucket list. Jack Black as Brad Harris is underemployed, down and out hoping to rebound in life through his true passion for birds. Owen Wilson plays Kenny Bostick, a seemingly undefeatable birding big year champion who will maintain the title at whatever cost. The three men follow bird migration patterns across the country amidst various mishaps, stormy relationships and weather. The Big Year is a refreshing comedy full of heart-warming moments and even a few life lessons. Of course, you will laugh a lot too. The Big Year is a family friendly comedy for all ages and especially humorous to watch if you or someone you know is an avid bird watcher. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Life Aquatic, Lonely Guy, School of Rock, and any Audubon bird watching guide in the libraries.] -- recommended by Glory B. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available: the book this movie was based upon.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official The Big Year web site ]

Have you seen this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.