Where is Coco Going?

Book Description

One day, Coco the chicken sets out on a journey. Skateboarding through a wild western town, flying into outer space, riding a camel through the hottest desert...where IS Coco going? Here's a hint: it takes a parachute to finally get her there.

The author of Bitter with Baggage Seeks Same brings her incredible talent to children in this hilarious and irresistible picture book.

Customer Reviews:

LOVE this book!!.......2007-06-02

Oh, my! I bought this as a gift and find I had to have one for myself!
A WONDERFUL early childhood book! As an adult, I appreciate the beauty of the photos that cover the entire page and the story of seeing faraway places with a companion toy going along for the ride. Gorgeous book that makes me smile every time I read my own copy to a child or to myself! Thank you, Sloane Tanen for another great book!!

The Chenile Chicken Rancher does it again!.......2005-02-08

The author and "chenile chicken rancher" of the somewhat R-rated Bitter with Baggage has done it again; this time, it's a funny and meticulously executed children's book. Sloane Tanen once more uses her leading character, Coco the chicken (she's all of 1" tall), and takes her on a playful romp to Grandma's house. Coco makes use of many different forms of transportation, from a car to a unicorn - traversing deserts, forests, seas...even Paris! Hagen's photos are vivid and engaging, the reader can't help but become an active participant in the story. The story line is simple enough for very young children, yet might be used with the older grades in helping them create story lines for books and/or classroom-produced movies. While it's easy to give this a call number, this is a book that defies shelving as it will be very popular with all ages

Lots of Fun!.......2005-01-21

I picked this book up on a whim for my 17 month old daughter. She absolutely loves it and insists that we read and reread it many times in one sitting - unusual for her. Although short on text there is much going on visually and lots to talk about with your little one. Enjoy!

A Feast For The Eyes.......2004-12-29

The actual words in this book are few, however, the artwork and the stimulation it offers for children's imaginations is outstanding. Visually, it's one of the best children's books I've ever seen. Coco the chick starts out on her trek by hopping a taxi outside her suburban house. To get to her destination she rides a train, a skateboard, pliots her own plane, bikes through Paris, crosses the Sahara with a camel caravan, goes under the sea, rides a pegasus, goes to outer space and finally arrives in a parachute. Where is she going? To grandma's house, and it looks just like the landscape where she started out. The words are few here, the pictures tell the story, and they are fantastic. The bottom line is that no sea is too deep, no planet too far, no terrain too treacherous or no vehicle too scary to keep a little chick from reaching the warmth and love of her grandma's house. I would recommend this book not only for it's beauty but because it's bound to spark a child's sense of adventure.

Exactly what it should be........2004-12-18

'Bitter with Baggage' the first book by this author was a cute concept--step in the right direction, 'Coco' is the arrival of the right direction. An entirely cute story of the chicks I always loved to get in my Easter Basket. A friend of mine and I sat in a book store and read it, it is just far too cute.

Where Do Chicks Come From? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)

Average customer rating:

For older end of age range
Where Do Chicks Come From?

Where Do Chicks Come From? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)
Amy E. Sklansky
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Ducks & Other Waterfowl | Animals | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Biology | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Zoology | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0064452123
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Book Description

Read and find out all about eggs -- and how baby chicks grow inside of them. Learn how chicks develop,how they get the food they need to grow, and how a mother hen helps keep them safe in this simple introduction to the life cycle of a baby chick.

Customer Reviews:

For older end of age range.......2005-09-12

I picked this up at our local library after we watched chicks hatch at a display at our local fair. This was a little too much information for my 4 1/2-year-old. We have read many Stage 1 books from this series; this is the first one I've seen at this level that addresses reproduction. In very simple terms it talks about "mating" and "fertilization." Be prepared to respond to questions about this topic.
The other Stage 1 books I've read with my son seem to be shorter, with fewer words. He has begun to pick out some sight words and the simpler books work well for that. In my opinion, this one might have been better rated for the Stage 2 level in this series.
I will certainly return to this book with him. It is well written with accurate information and has clear illustrations.

Where Do Chicks Come From?.......2005-05-10

My kids loved this book. Even I learned a few things.

Average customer rating:

excellent first books
Learning to read is fun!

Brand New Readers: Orange Set (Cat and Mouse, Pizza, Dinah's Dream, Dinah Likes to Eat, Kazam's Birds, Kazam's Coins, Where Is Tabby Cat?, Cat Bath, Monkey ... and Monkey Flies Away) (Brand New Readers)
Amy Ehrlich , B. G. Hennessy , David Martin , Phyllis Root , James Croft , Ana Martin Larranaga , Katharine McEwen , Scott Nash , and Barney Saltzberg
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0763625981
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Book Description

Included in BRAND NEW READERS ORANGE SET:

CAT AND MOUSE and PIZZA
by Phyllis Root, illustrated by James Croft

DINAH'S DREAM and DINAH LIKES TO EAT
by B. G. Hennessey, illustrated by Ana Martin Larrañaga

KAZAM'S BIRDS and KAZAM'S COINS
by Amy Ehrlich, illustrated by Barney Saltzberg

WHERE IS TABBY CAT? and CAT BATH
by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Katharine McEwen

MONKEY THE MUMMY and MONKEY FLIES AWAY
by David Martin, illustrated by Scott Nash

Once again, we've taken our most popular Brand New Reader titles and have added loads of kid-, teacher- and parent-friendly extras to bring you another outstanding Brand New Reader collection!

Unlike most reading programs, Brand New Readers are short, funny stories written by award-winning authors, full of bright, colorful artwork by illustrators kids know and love. This Brand New Reader set makes it easy and fun to follow favorite characters from story to story.

The boxed set contains:
— 10 short, funny, full-color books featuring best-selling characters such as Tabby Cat and Worm
— A foldout poster with full-color stickers so readers can track the books they've read
— A Brand New Readers certificate of achievement to build confidence
— A make-your-own Brand New Reader book because brand-new readers can be brand-new writers
— An easy-to-follow parent/teacher guide full of tips and strategies to help make reading a success the very first time!

Customer Reviews:

excellent first books.......2007-06-27

I bought these books for my grandson who is in Kindergarten. After changing schools mid-year he was slow to grasp reading. I thought these books might be just his level and because the adult reads a summery of the story first he has found books he can read. The confidence these books gave him to continue was amazing. He now has gone one to slightly harder books but he still loves these.

Learning to read is fun!.......2007-01-16

We have purchased other Brand New Readers sets, and have never been disappointed yet. Our kids (5 1/2 year old son and almost 3 year old daughter) love the simple stories and illustrations, and while our son is sounding out the words, his little sister is enthusiastically shouting out the story based on the picture clues and memorization. They both feel a huge sense of accomplishement when they read to us, and we all love the humor used in the stories. Move over Dick and Jane; Brand New Readers make learning how to read fun!

Where Late The Sweet Birds Sang: A Novel

Average customer rating:

Quick and Interesting Fable on Cloning
Still Great After All These Years
The parable of the collective
Almost 30 years later, this book is more relevant now then ever...
Wow!!!

Where Late The Sweet Birds Sang: A Novel
Kate Wilhelm
Manufacturer: Orb Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0312866151

Book Description

Before becoming one of today's most intriguing and innovative mystery writers, Kate Wilhelm was a leading writer of science fiction, acclaimed for classics like The Infinity Box and The Clewiston Test. The story of an isolated post-holocaust community of clones who are determined to preserve civilization, Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang is widely regarded as her finest work, and won SF's Hugo Award and Locus Award on its first publication.

Customer Reviews:

Quick and Interesting Fable on Cloning.......2006-12-14

Willhelm has written an interesting take on the implications of cloning and the loss of human individuality. Set in a world where environmental factors have forced a large extended family to create a kind of end-of-the-world compound where they can work on curing the eventual sterility of the entire human race by cloning, the author explores what it means to be human, and the importance of natural sexual reproduction. The 3 main storylines deal with subsequent generations of this family clone farm.

Most chilling is her hypothesis on what status "breeders" will hold in a world where everyone can be genetically manipulated for a particular job (yes, there is a little Brave New World flavor here). Those who bear children are looked at more as cattle to keep the gene pool diverse than as the revered few able to reproduce. In the end even the clones become like cattle to those who can control human reproduction with a few twists of a dial and then use conditioning to turn them into whatever kind of human (or non-human) bests suits the needs of the "community".

Overall Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang is an enjoyably quick and thought-provoking read, with a bit of a fable-like quality throughout.

Still Great After All These Years.......2006-06-25

I read this book back when it was first published in the late 1970's and it has gripped my imagination since that time. I am an avid reader of all type of materials and few stay in my mind like this book. I have reread it several times over the years and currently am reading it again. It deals with what could happen after war/disease or some other disaster lays waste to most of the world and its population. The science is well done enough to be believable- but I think the best part of the book is the human interactions between the "Elders" and the Clones. I find it a very well written book and would highly recommend it to anyone. If you are hard core science then try to overlook the scientific portion about cloning and just enjoy the ride.

The parable of the collective.......2006-03-28

American literature of the 60's and 70's has a distinctive flavour of individualism, partly as a product of the worship of the individual heroes (Washington, Davey Crockett, etc.) that explored and/or created the country, and partly as a reaction to the perceived "homogeneity" of communism. By definition, the theory went, a person could not possibly be happy unless he was first free. This award-winning book by Kate Wilhelm is a parable of the triumph of individualism over the collective.

This is not a new theme for science fiction - the Original Star Trek series had a number of such episodes, and the Grand Master Robert Heinlein visited this topic numerous times. "Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang" has similarities to the Classic Trek episode "The Apple" and Heinlein's "Farnham's Freehold." But mainly I was reminded of Robert Silverberg's "A Time of Changes" - in both tales a society is developed and then from within that society arises an individual who must destroy the complacency of the society to save its people. In Wilhelm's book, an ecological catastrophe (and a development of human infertility) destroys the human race except a group of scientists that propogate themselves in the only way possible - by cloning. Thus a society of clones: family groups are a batch of 6-10 identical clones raised as a unit. Wilhelm introduces the notion of genetic ESP - basically accepting the supposed (but unproven) link that twins feel for each other (e.g. when one is hurt, the other senses something is wrong). Unfortunately, by cloning the exact same genetic material over and over, subsequent generations of clones become more and more specialised (one group is doctors, one group builds barns, etc.) until no one in the society has any initiative or imagination.

Into this society is introduced an anomaly - actually two. A woman has a traumatic experience that allows her latent individuality to surface. She is impregnated and gives birth to a son - the only "singleton" child in the entire human race. The book mostly follows the lives of these two characters as they rebel against their society and the fear they bring. They know, but no one else can see, that the society is a dead end and they must destroy the cloning system in order to free the potential of the surviving members of the human race.

Wilhelm's book is not perfect - as others have pointed out, the science is pretty simplistic (if not wrong!). You also get the uncomfortable feeling that she hates her creation (the clone society), which leads to an overly "black and white" interpretation: individuality = good, collectivism = bad. But I think this book is meant to be a parable, and as such need not be realistic or subtle. Wilhelm's writing is concise, suspenseful, and very enjoyable. While I think "A Time of Changes" covers much of the same material and does it better, there is no doubt that "Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang" is an easier and more enjoyable read.

Almost 30 years later, this book is more relevant now then ever..........2005-09-27

Those familiar with Wilhelm's large catalogue of mystery novels probably don't even know that she won the Hugo Award for best science fiction novel in 1976/77 with this entry. Although this falls into the science fiction genre, it really is able to transcend all the normal SF stereotypes and ends up being a fantastic read.

The book is about a post-holocaust community that aims to perpetuate the human species through cloning. The book is divided into three sections with the first being the best and this could stand alone as a novella by itself although I wouldn't say the book is entirely uneven.

Despite what other reviewers have posted, I think there is some basic cloning science in this but its comprehension in needed to fully appreciate the book. Wilhelm is smart not to delve too hard into the science as capturing the humanistic side of her characters is clearly her strength.

The book expounds on the individual vs. the collective theme and this is one of the reasons why it doesn't feel dated. With cloning on the technological horizon, this book provides an interesting fictional take on the pitfalls of scientific procreation vs. natural childbirth.

Bottom Line: A short book about cloning mixed with a strong dose of humanity. A great book for non-sf readers looking to expand their horizons. A must read for anyone who likes to read the Hugo winners.

Wow!!!.......2004-02-24

What a great story. I vould not put it down. Maybe a bit dated (written in 76 or 77) but a marvellous post-holocaust story. The woman can WRITE!!

Where the Birds Never Sing: The True Story of the 92nd Signal Battalion and the Liberation of Dachau

Average customer rating:

A must-read!
What Good Guys!
A riveting, first-hand account of military life
Superbly Written
Fantastic Book!

Where the Birds Never Sing: The True Story of the 92nd Signal Battalion and the Liberation of Dachau
Jack Sacco
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Military & Spies | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0060096667
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Book Description

In this riveting book, Jack Sacco tells the realistic, harrowing, at times horrifying, and ultimately triumphant tale of an American GI in World War II as seen through the eyes of his father, Joe Sacco -- a farm boy from Alabama who was flung into the chaos of Normandy and survived the terrors of the Bulge.

As part of the 92nd Signal Battalion and Patton's famed Third Army, Joe and his buddies found themselves at the forefront of the Allied push through France and Germany. After more than a year of fighting, but still only twenty years old, Joe had become a hardened veteran. Yet nothing could have prepared him and his unit for the horrors behind the walls of Germany's infamous Dachau concentration camp. They were among the first 250 American troops into the camp, and it was there that they finally grasped the significance of the Allied mission. Surrounded by death and destruction, the men not only found the courage and will to fight, but they also discovered the meaning of friendship and came to understand the value and fragility of life.

Customer Reviews:

A must-read!.......2006-07-14

This personal narrative set in the midst of global history is a tremendous story. A touching and humorous account of an unforgettable era, told with skill. Couldn't put it down until it was finished. One reads it thinking, "This would make a wonderful movie."

What Good Guys!.......2006-05-04

I concur with the excellent reviews preceeding mine. This is a beautifully written account of the guys from the 192nd Signal Battalion from basic training to the end of World War II. I'd like to identify three significant elements undergirding this excellent account of the incredible fortitude of teenagers turned warriers in a brutal environment. First, Joe Sacco and his buddies had the immense good fortune of being under the capable direction of First Sargeant Ernest Thomas. His presence in the background is a constant element in keeping these young men the best that they could be. Next, Joe Sacco and his buddies were among those who forever identify themselves as members of "Patton's Army". Through Joe's eyes we can appreciate the inspirational leadership he offered in the worst of times. Last, these guys were such good guys--in their treatment of little children, a child German soldier, and others, it makes one so proud of all those very young American soldiers who could see the worst, and yet keep their faith in the importance of each human being.

A riveting, first-hand account of military life.......2004-12-11

This book is a compelling story about a young man who grows up on the outskirts of Birmingham, Alabama on his family farm and goes on to serve his country in World War II. Sacco made the unique decision of telling the story in his father's voice, which adds to the authenticity of the account.

This tactic also makes the writing come across as glib in places. While the elder Sacco tells anecdotes about bad food, and seemingly endless hours of drills in all types of weather, he glosses over some of these hardships as the story moves on. The book would have been strengthened a bit if the author had filled in some of those gaps for the reader. The liberation of Dachau gets surprisingly few pages, as one would expect this event to be the pinnacle of the young soldier's life.

However, there are a number of places where Sacco's first hand account proves very effective: The story is full of wiseacre remarks about the shape of a woman, and while these types of comments aren't acceptable in our time, in most circles, they add to the realistic feel of a group of young GIs serving half a world away usually without female companionship.

Sacco's account of the group dynamics in his unit is fascinating. There are a number of anecdotes about race relations in the Army. The elder Sacco seems to pride himself on having been more enlightened than some in his time, in part because he himself experienced prejudice. Finally, his account of falling in love with a young woman named Monique during a stint in a small French village on the border with Germany is truly riveting.

In sum, the book seems to serve as a realistic account of military service and of the horror of war. And while I was disappointed by the casual telling of the story in some places, one has the sense that the elder Sacco's sense of humor, combined with his ability to minimize certain aspects of his tough experience, helped to keep him going during some of the most harrowing experiences of his life. Indeed, the author's style provided plenty of comic relief. This book is more for those who like biographies rather than those who want a straightforward account of the facts and dates associated with these historic events.

Superbly Written.......2004-12-10

Superbly written! At once epic in scope and intimate in detail, WHERE THE BIRDS NEVER SING effortlessly transports even a casual reader on an emotional and unforgettable journey. Author Jack Sacco masterfully recounts the true story of his father, Joe Sacco, an American GI in World War II. Instead of using the tired genre of third-person documentary-style writing to tell the tale, the author speaks in the first person, through the eyes of his father. The result is one of the most powerful and honestly moving accounts of the human drama in World War II in recent memory.

The story begins in 1943 on a farm in Alabama, when the young Joe Sacco receives a letter informing him that he has been drafted into the service. From there, it seamlessly moves through his training with the 92nd Signal Battalion, shipping out to England (where the soldiers witnessed the stirring and famous speech by General Patton), landing at Omaha Beach in Normandy, surviving the Battle of the Bulge and fighting their way across Nazi Germany to eventually arrive at the notorious concentration camp at Dachau by war's end.

The book, already powerful and moving up until that point, then takes the reader to a new level of realism as horrifying details of the camp are revealed. Considering all he had seen and experienced since landing at Normandy, the emotional response of the young Joe Sacco to the carnage inside Dachau may leave the reader near tears. Rarely, if ever, has there been a written account of the reality of the concentration camps so graphic, gripping or compelling. As if that wasn't enough, Jack Sacco has included actual historic photographs his father took during the dramatic liberation.

All along the way, the author crafts memorable and beautifully written scenes, from the terrors of battle to the tranquility of a snowfall in the forests of Alsace-Lorraine, from the sorrows of the death of a buddy to the simple joy of decorating a makeshift Christmas tree with gum wrappers. In describing the emotions of the men before leaving Dachau, Sacco writes, "Now, after a year of combat, each of us finally and forever understood why destiny had called us to travel so far away from the land of our birth and fight for people we did not know. And so it was here, in this place abandoned by God and accursed by men, that we came to discover the meaning of our mission."

This is not another book about World War II. It's an intimate journey into the heart of an American soldier, and as such, it is as triumphant as the men it depicts. Readers will not only delight in WHERE THE BIRDS NEVER SING, they will gain a new appreciation for the accomplishments of their own fathers, uncles and grandfathers who may have served in World War II as part of the Greatest Generation.

Fantastic Book!.......2004-11-24

Where The Birds Never Sing is the story of Joe Sacco's years in the army during WWII as written by his son Jack. From the time he was drafted until the time that he returns home we live with Joe as he experiences everything from basic training to the liberation of Dachau, which left Joe and the men of his company, soldiers who had witnessed everything that war has to offer, speachless and sickened. It also, as Joe so eloquently tells us, brought home, all too clearly, to these soldiers just why they had left their homes to "fight for a people we did not know."

A remarkable story about a remarkable man. This book must be read by all who are interested in "The Greatest Generation."

Urban Roosts: Where Birds Nest in the City

Average customer rating:

a lovely book
great for young animal lovers

Urban Roosts: Where Birds Nest in the City
Barbara Bash , and Sierra Club Books
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0316083127

Customer Reviews:

a lovely book.......2006-03-31

This book has been around for a while (published in 1990) but it is a wonderful and intriguing topic -- how wild birds manage to find places to live and thrill in the city. Beautiful illustrations help to tell the story of all the amazing places and ways that city birds build their nests. Text is rich in information. Any child, young or old, will find this book fascinating, but a city-dwelling child will particularly enjoy it.

great for young animal lovers.......2000-07-22

This book was featured on Reading Rainbow. It explains with detailed illustrations how birds live in the city. I found it an interesting subject, and so did my 18 month old child. I am sure a child of any age will enjoy it.

Where to Watch Birds in Europe and Russia

Average customer rating:

Where to Watch Birds in Europe and Russia
Nigel Wheatley
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Russia | History | Subjects | Books

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 069105729X

Book Description

Nigel Wheatley continues his continent-by-continent guide to the best locales for international birding by turning his binoculars to over 250 of the most productive birding sites in Europe and Russia. Whether you want to know how Golden Eagles are distributed on the Scottish Island of Skye, which birds you'll find in the botanical gardens in Minsk, or where to go if you have your heart set on a Grey Phalarope or Lapland Bunting, this book is the essential travel companion. Though compact and portable, Where to Watch Birds in Europe and Russia contains a tremendous amount of information on travel, geography, and bird distribution that can be used to plan a trip from scratch or get more out of any itinerary.

Wheatley gives excellent coverage not only of the well-trod fields of England and France, but also of countries newly explored by North American birders (such as Romania and Azerbaijan), such bird-rich microclimates as Malta and Greece's Strymon Delta, and several often-overlooked small nations (such as Luxembourg and Moldova). This addition to the acclaimed Where to Watch Birds series will be particularly valuable to birders visiting Eastern Europe, Russia, and other places whose birding sites have not been well publicized.

Pete Dunne on Bird Watching: The How-to, Where-to, and When-to of Birding

Average customer rating:

Birding for Beginners
An informative book
Great for beginners
Dunne's Birding World: Don't Buy a Zoom bino!
Wonderful for beginners -- buy this before anything else!

Pete Dunne on Bird Watching: The How-to, Where-to, and When-to of Birding
Pete Dunne
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0395906865

Book Description

Pete Dunne has taught birding to beginners for years, but he has never found the right book to help them get started. Now the popular birding author identifies the skills and tools available to people with any amount of interest,great or small,in bird watching. Beginning with backyard birding and moving through a quick but comprehensive survey of tools of the trade, Dunne outlines ten basic, simple steps in bird identification that can make a birder out of the most casual of observers. He goes on to show beginning birders how to use their skills to explore new horizons throughbirding by ear, birding by telescope, and finding and identifying rare or difficult birds. Written in the lively, authoritative style that has made Dunne one of the most popular writers in this field today, Pete Dunne on Bird Watching will inspire in readers both a growing passion for birding and a lifelong respect for the natural world and its inhabitants.

Customer Reviews:

Birding for Beginners.......2005-02-13

Veteran birder Pete Dunne has written a book that is an excellent introduction to the popular hobby. As one who's been doing it for a little less than a year, I found his book very helpful.

The various chapters cover useful topics, including: how to select your binoculars (and what those numbers on them mean); what to wear - and not to wear - while looking for birds; how to set up a feeder and make your own back yard more attractive to birds; protecting birds from threats ranging from cats to glass; finding a good field guide; organizations and events; the basics of identifying birds; plus some interesting stories from the field, care of Dunne and other experienced bird watchers. There's a lot of helpful information, that will make a nascent birder feel less clueless.

A few things that might have made it better: there's little info on ornithology itself - Dunne frequently mentions various types of birds as examples, but you may have no idea what he's talking about. When discussing the all-important field marks, for example, there are some (black and white) photos, but more of them (and perhaps illustrations) might have made his points more clear. For instance, showing the difference between the different tail shapes would have been useful. Also, while he mentions many species and family, there's not even a basic rundown of the different types of birds - so if you don't know a sparrow from a warbler, some of his text seems meaningless.

Note also that this is not a field guide (nor does it claim to be) so you'll need something else to help you identify the birds you see.

Combined with a couple of other books like a good field guide (the Peterson guides seem to be the gold standard) and a basic text on ornithology (David Sibley's books get high marks from many) and Dunne's book on birding techniques, and you should be ready to go.

An informative book.......2004-12-14

This publication, authored by birder Pete Dunne, was published in 2003. It contains 334 pages. There are eight chapters; within these chapters are different sections. Appendixes, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index are also included. Throughout the chapters, certain words are boldfaced--they are defined in the glossary. Numerous black-and-white photos are contained; they display things such as birders in the field, kinds of birdfeeders, and types of birds. I find the section on binoculars to be indispensable and illuminating. The table that deals with seed preferences of common backyard birds is helpful. The information provided on types of birdfeeders is useful. I like the section that discusses landscaping for birds: the regional plant lists--for North America--are informative. The section on water being used as a bird attractant is worthy, along with the section that deals with nest boxes. Other interesting topics are field guides, birding apparel, basic bird identification, birding by ear, keeping records, bird censusing, and spotting scopes and tripods. In addition, I appreciate the glossary and the bibliography. This book is not only designed for the beginning birder but also for those that are more experienced. It is set up to follow the progressive gradients that birders pass through as their interest increases and more information is needed. Actually, I rate this book 3.5 stars. Pete Dunne on Bird Watching is instructive and recommendable.

Great for beginners.......2003-09-09

I have both this book and "Sibley's Birding Basics." I think that Dunne's book is better for the beginner. It is written in a MUCH more engaging style, is not nearly as technical (e.g. in details of bird taxonomy), and has a lot more practical advice.

Dunne's Birding World: Don't Buy a Zoom bino!.......2003-08-02

This prolific writer on birding delivers again, taking many of his tried and true observations on birding and compiling them into an easy and interesting format. I would recommend this strongly to any birder but certainly beginning birders will profit the most from its insights. Especially good for anyone considering an optics purchase.

Wonderful for beginners -- buy this before anything else!.......2003-06-24

Pete Dunne does a wonderful job introducing the reader to the world of birding. He starts with the basics: field guides and binoculars, and explains how to choose among the various ones out there (there are so many that a beginner can easily become overwhelmed). As a beginner, I know that he saved me a lot of time and money on these two issues alone. Dunne then moves on to more advanced topics, such as basic birding techniques, where to go birding, and birding organizations. Inspirational anecdotes from his experience and other birders are peppered throughout, easing the reader into a specialized field while maintaining that natural curiousity about birds that all of us have.

Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Where to Find Them

Average customer rating:

Not what I thought it would be
WHAT AN AWESOME AND USEFUL GUIDE!

Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Where to Find Them
John H. Rappole
Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0801870755

Book Description

With its dramatic range of habitats, from the beaches of the Atlantic to the wetlands of the Chesapeake Bay and the alpine forests of the Appalachians, the Mid-Atlantic region is home to 346 species of birds. For amateur and experienced birders alike, few areas offer so many opportunities to see such a rich variety of avian life. Four of America's top fifteen birding sites--Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania; Brigantine and Cape May, both in New Jersey; and Chincoteague, Virginia--can be found here, as can numerous other premier bird-watching destinations, including Assateague Island National Seashore, Shenandoah National Park, and the Great Dismal Swamp. A day's drive takes birders from West Virginia's cranberry bogs to Maryland's Swallow Falls or from Pennsylvania's Presque Isle to Delaware's Bombay Hook to see, for example, Bald Eagles, Hermit Thrushes, Northern Saw-whet Owls, and Chuck-will-widows.

Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Where to Find Them is the only comprehensive field guide to bird life in the area that also directs readers to public sites where each species can be found. Noted ornithologist John H. Rappole provides extensive information about every species: description, identification details for distinguishing similar species, habitat preference, vocalization, range, and Mid-Atlantic seasonal occurrence, abundance, and distribution. Each entry is accompanied by a color photograph, making identification easy for amateur bird watchers, and by a range of maps. A helpful guide to sites lists the best places to spot specific birds, from common species to rarities, and how to reach the sites by car. Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Where to Find Them will appeal to dedicated bird watchers and curious commuters, lifelong residents and seasonal visitors alike, offering all a deeper understanding of the region's natural wonders.

Customer Reviews:

Not what I thought it would be.......2006-04-21

I was disappointed in this book. Most of it is a field guide to the birds that isn't necessary if you own a good field guide already, such as Sibley. I expected more detailed descriptions of the birding sites listed, as I have seen in other guides. The descriptions about birding sites in this book were very basic. This might be helpful for a new birder.

WHAT AN AWESOME AND USEFUL GUIDE!.......2003-11-19

You won't find another guide with ALL of this information so nicely organized and explained. The guidance on where to find the individual species you may have been longing to see but didn't know where to find is wonderful and most welcome. We also like to peruse all the excellent birding sites that the author describes to get ideas of promising bird outings to take. The photos are excellent and show the many species of the region to good advantage. A great guide for birders of all levels!

Average customer rating:

Asia birding treasure chest
Encyclopedia of Asian Birding

Where to Watch Birds in Asia
Nigel Wheatley
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0691012148

Book Description

Bringing together for the first time all of the birding sites in Asia, this handy guide advises new and frequent visitors to the continent on where to go for the best birdwatching. From Turkey to Thailand and India to Indonesia, the book contains the latest birding information and deals with over 250 sites in detail and many more in passing. It directs the reader quickly to sites containing the birds he or she wants to see and tells which countries support the best cross-sections. Strategic information concerning when to go, how many sites to visit, how to get there, and how much time to spend is presented in a straightforward, easy-to-use format. Over one hundred maps and fifty line drawings enliven the text.

Following a chapter on how to use the book, there is an introduction to the continent and its birds. The book then focuses on the countries, archipelagos, and islands. General introductions to each country are followed by site details, which include bird lists, a list of other wildlife present, if applicable, and the latest information on where to look for the best birds.

Customer Reviews:

Asia birding treasure chest.......2007-07-18

Many birders are familiar with Nigel Wheatley's excellent "Where to Watch Birds In ...." series. This is another excellent regional guide to the countries of Asia excluding Russia (covered in his "Where to Watch Birds in Europe and Russia"). This is the book I would go to first when deciding which country/countries to visit and then pick up a more specific book for site guides to that area once this book has helped you make that decision.

A total of about 260 sites (national parks areas, reserves, etc.) are covered in the book for all of Asia. For example Malaysia has 15 sites including such famous places as the Danum Valley and Fraser's hill. The section on Danum Valley is three and a half pages long including a detailed trail map from the field centre. The account begins with a brief description of the Danum Valley dipterocarp forest. The endemic species of the area are listed next followed by a list of "specialities", birds that are more easily found here than in most other areas of Malaysia. A list of other species of interest follows with more descriptions of the birding trails, the canopy walkway, and hints on night birding (for Large Frogmouth). Directions to Danum and local accommodations are also included and the account ends on the page with an enticing black and white drawing of Blue-headed Pitta.

The only reason I rated this at 4 rather than 5 stars is the published date of 1996. It would be nice to have an updated version but as I mentioned use this to make some decisions on your trip then follow up with more specific local guides and updates to reserves and lodging on the net. This is still wonderful to have in hand to peruse the possibilities of birding Asia.

Encyclopedia of Asian Birding.......2004-02-12

This is the ultimate reference on birding sites of the continent!
It gives coverage to every single Asian country including the Middle East (but not Russia), lists their endemic species with tips on where to see them, and describes the major birdwatching locations with species lists, basic maps, transport and accomodation info. Particularly useful for countries which aren't covered by separate guides.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books