Birdsongs - Book Review

This post was written as a Master's course assignment for Texas Woman's University.

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Franco, Betsy. 2007. BIRDSONGS. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division. ISBN 9780689877773

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This poem picture book carries the reader through the day, from sunup to sundown and beyond, highlighting each bird and its own unique song at the particular time of day that one may be likely to encounter it. High and low, large and small, loud and soft-spoken, the author highlights 11 different birds, each in its own natural perch or tree, each with its own bird call.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

With a lovely, cyclical evolution from dawn until moonrise, Betsy Franco encourages the reader to listen to each of the birds and their "songs" that make an appearance in this book, many of which are probably familiar to the reader.  The sounds of the language echo the energy of the bird on each page. For example the mourning dove sounds soft and quiet, with "sss" sounds, and the sparrows are spastic, with frequent "f" sounds "flutter/flurry/flapping." 

The author plays with many word tools, including alliteration, assonance, consonance, onomatopoeia, colors within the text, and numbers associated with each bird sound. The woodpecker "raps a tap dance" and the mourning doves "share the sunflower seeds." Each page sets a new scene for the bird of that moment.

Franco offers a nice variation in the birds' songs, with each call specific, unique, and accurate: "coo" (the mourning dove), "eeyah" (the gull), "tut" (the robin). The imagery of the text is picturesque; the chickadees gather "until the tree looks like a candelabra." The author's studies of typical bird behaviors and attitudes shine through, as with the Thrasher who "congratulates himself."

Upon closer review, the reader may notice that a number appears on each page: "the chickadee chimes in 6 times..." urging the reader to repeat the bird calls out loud, counting all the while. The numbers descend from ten down to one, as the day begins, expands, and then retreats into evening. 

The Illustrator offers exceptional use of earthy colors and textures. Some birds appear to be larger-than-life size, their eyes gazing knowingly at the reader. Jenkins utilizes a fascinating, highly detailed technique that allows parts of the illustrations to look real: nests with haphazardly placed branches, glittering apple trees. At times the illustrations appear to be three dimensional; all are engaging. The light and colors change according to the time of day, creating a convincing, cozy environment.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "This lavishly illustrated count-it-down story describes a day filled with birdsong... In his vivid, realistic-looking collages, Jenkins uses accurate textures and colors for each species, and creates the appearance of depth, light, and warmth..."

Review from BOOKLIST: "Jenkins' signature collages of shaped, painted, and textured papers once again dazzle the eye and warm the imagination. Franco spins a nature lesson in lucid language and throws in a counting exercise, too."

5. CONNECTIONS

*Readers may also seek other picture books by Betsy Franco and Steve Jenkins.

*See other picture books about birds, including WHAT MAKES A BIRD A BIRD, by May Garelick, ISBN 9781572550087, THE UGLY DUCKLING, by Hans Christian Andersen, ISBN 9780688159320, and BIRDS, NESTS, AND EGGS: TAKE ALONG GUIDES by Mel Boring, Illustrated by Linda Garrow, ISBN 9780836820393.