For the Youngest Readers (Toddlers to Kindergarten) 

I CAN DO IT MYSELF!
Written by Diane Adams, illustrated by Nancy Hayashi (Peachtree Publishers)
Childhood independence starts at an early age. Patient parents can count on childhood messes, as well as creative ways of doing a task. Yet other times their children will seek reassuring hugs and encouraging words-as this book shows so well.  

FLYING!
Written and illustrated by Kevin Luthardt (Peachtree Publishers)
"Papa, why can't I fly?" Children ask great questions as they make sense of their world.  Adults often have to be creative with their answers, as seen by the father in this warm-hearted story. 

FLIP, FLAP, FLY!: A BOOK FOR BABIES EVERYWHERE
Written by Phyllis Root, illustrated by David Walker (Candlewick Press)
This charming book starts with a fledging bird, who sees a baby fish, who in turn sees another young animal, and so forth. Each young animal receives guidance from a caring parent.

For Readers (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade)   

THE PLOT CHICKENS
Written and illustrated by Mary Jane Auch & Herm Auch (Holiday House)
Should chickens write? This hilarious story line provides some good inside tips for fledgling writers - too good to miss! 

BABIES DON'T EAT PIZZA: A BIG KIDS' BOOK ABOUT BABY BROTHERS AND BABY SISTERS
Written by Dianne Danzig, illustrated by Debbie Tilley (Putnam)
I recommend this book for three audiences - parents with multiple children, siblings facing a new baby brother or sister, and adults pondering the pros and cons of starting or expanding a family. 

THE ODD EGG
Written and illustrated by Emily Gravett (Simon & Schuster)
Duck is the only bird that did not lay an egg. The solution to his dilemma was to find one. Indeed he did, but not without ridicule from the other birds.

For Readers (3rd to 6th Grade)                                                                     

EVEN AN OSTRICH NEEDS A NEST: WHERE BIRDS BEGIN
Written and illustrated by Irene Kelly (Holiday House)
This book includes many great facts about nests and the nesting habits of 40 common and uncommon birds found throughout the world.

THE CUCKOO'S HAIKU AND OTHER BIRDING POEMS
Written by Michael J. Rosen, illustrated by Stan Fellows (Candlewick Press)
Soft watercolors of 24 North American birds, celebrated through four seasons, work well with the haiku poetry in this book. 

A PLACE FOR BIRDS
Written by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Higgins Bond (Peachtree Publishers)
Realistic acrylic painted birds adorn this thoughtful and timely book featuring 12 North American birds. A sidebar on each bird supports an environmentally conscious theme to think about as we approach the time for birds to begin building nests.

Book reviews provided by BSU professor Stan Steiner, the Bookman.  For more book suggestions and reviews, visit his web page at http://education.boisestate.edu/stansteiner.