Thunder Birds: Natures Flying Predators by Jim Arnosky

Thunder Birds: Natures Flying Predators Reviews

• 
  Nancy Jo Lambert

  Wow! So rich with detail. I see a station inquiry based activity with this book. I see butcher paper with the birds dimensions on it so the kids can see the true size of these birds. Amazing!
• 
  Abigail

  The fabulously talented Jim Arnosky, author and illustrator of more than one hundred and thirty works of natural history for children, here turns to the subject of birds of prey. Two-page spreads, many of them with fold-out pages, are devoted to: eagles, hawks and falcons; owls; vultures; herons and egrets; pelicans; and loons, cormorants and gannets. The text gives basic information about each kind of bird, with specific species used as an example, and is paired with colorful illustrations in acrylic. The back matter includes an author's note, a list of further reading ideas, and a metric conversion table...
  
  I really enjoyed Thunder Birds: Nature's Flying Predators, which Arnosky named in honor of the mythological Thunderbird, an eagle-like bird said to bring the thunder and lightning in a number of Native American traditions. The informative text presents a wealth of information, while the beautiful artwork captures the majesty of the avian species being discussed. Young readers will undoubtedly enjoy the fold-out pages, as I did, and will learn something in the process. Recommended to young animal and nature lovers, and to picture-book readers seeking titles featuring avian predators.
• 
  Dianna

  Really spectacular, life-sized (in some cases) illustrations of predatory birds.
• 
  Cathy

  
  http://nonfictiondetectives.blogspot....
  
  The Nonfiction Detectives' Review:
  
  Excuse the pun, but nonfiction bird books fly off the shelves at my library. Many of my patrons are fascinated by bird facts and pictures. (I have to admit that I'm a sucker for a good bird book, too.) So, I was eager to pick up a copy Jim Arnosky's latest nonfiction picture book about birds of prey.
  
  Thunder Birds is titled after the Native American eagle spirit, and it's evident from the introduction that Jim Arnosky has great respect for birds. Each section of the book is dedicated to a different bird or family of birds including eagles, falcons, owls, herons, loons and pelicans. Arnosky uses acrylic paint and white chalk pencil to create stunning full-page illustrations of the birds of prey. On one page, Arnosky perfectly captures the texture of the snowy owl's body; it looks like you could reach out and feel the soft downy feathers.
  
  Arnosky describes his experiences watching and interacting with the different types of birds in a first-person narrative that accompanies the full-page illustrations.
  
  "Of all the birds that I watch, I love watching herons and egrets the most. There is such suspense in the way they slowly stalk fish in shallow water, bill downward, long neck poised to strike."
  
  In addition to the full-page illustrations and narrative, the book includes four fold-out pages that are sure to capture the attention of readers. The first fold-out page is impressive as it shows an osprey with one wing extended while grasping a fish in its claws. Black and white sketches in the margins illustrate the talons, feathers and bodies of various birds.
  
  Arnosky includes interesting facts about the different birds of prey, but I do not see this as research book for students to use for school assignments. This is a work of art, a book for bird lovers, aspiring artists, and young naturalists. If a child comes to the library with a list of questions to answer about birds, steer him or her to a "just the facts, ma'am" type of book. However, if you have a child who loves nature, science and art, don't let the child leave without checking out Thunder Birds. It may serve as an inspiration to children who want to watch birds or create their own nature books. Arnosky even provides a list of parks and wildlife preserves that he visited while working on the book.
  
  5 Stars
  (Grades 2-6)
  
• 
  Lori Cook

  Cool illustrations! Good information on predators birds.
• 
  Krista the Krazy Kataloguer

  This book was amazing. Focusing on birds of prey, Arnosky painted life-sized parts of birds (all of them were too big to fit on a two- or even three-page spread) that are detailed and life-like. Some pages open out into three or four panels. For example, the osprey's wing covers two pages and part of a third. The picture that amazed me the most was the head of the great gray owl--I didn't know they were that big! I can see now how they might swoop down and kill small cats, which gives me the chills. I also liked the pictures of silhouettes of these birds in the air, so that you can tell what they are while flying overhead. Also featured were herons, pelicans, loons, cormorants, gannets, egrets, hawks, eagles, and vultures. At the back of the book Arnosky lists some of the places he and his wife went to view these birds. Two of them were right here in New York State--Montezuma National Wildlife Reserve and Iroquois National Wildlife Reserve. I've been to the former but not the latter--now I'll have to go back to them both! This has got to be a Sibert Medal winner. Recommended for bird enthusiasts everywhere!
  
  
• 
  Kathleen Ferrel

  This book was really neat because the author is also the illustrator. He mentions his own experiences with birds of prey, which this book is primarily about, and goes into detail how he tried to paint the pictures to be as life like as possible in order for the reader to see the birds through the authors eyes. Some of the illustrations are also life size fold out pages detailing the head size and wing span of certain birds. Nature lovers grades k-3 would love this book due to the authors mention of his wildlife adventures and his description of each bird of pray. This book was from the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children recommended books.
  
  KF
• 
  Nancy

  
  http://nancycastaldonaturespeak.blogs...
  
  
  Jim Arnosky is a pro at wildlife illustration and this book is no disappointment. In Thunder Birds, Arnosky has chosen to highlight the biggest and strongest of birds. He mixes his wonderful personal narrative with fold-out life size illustrations that will thoroughly engage readers, both young and old. This book will definitely inspire readers to grab a pair of binoculars and search out their own "thunder birds".
  
• 
  Susie

  Actually 3.5 stars. The illustrations are amazing.
  
  Story: a nonfiction pictorial on nature's flying predators with several fold-outs as well as life-size illustrations. An author's note as well as additional resources/reference are listed at the end.
  
  Writing/Illustrations: This is another good one from Jim Arnosky. Lots of interesting facts as well as personal narrative. The four life-size paintings are done in acrylic paint and white chalk pencil. The life-size illustrations are not necessarily the fold-outs.
• 
  Mary Ann

  This was a good book on birds of prey. I was disappointed that the California condors were not included. Perhaps Arnosky did this as a measure of protecting the species since their numbers in the wild are still so small. Goodness knows there are enough 'nut cases' out there to make it dangerous for the species, but it would also be an opportunity to educate students and citizens on the necessity of protecting existing species.
• 
  Terry

  It was almost impossible to get our preteen to "read" the book because she was so enthralled by the illustrations. We can understand it. Incredible illustrations will grab readers of all ages. The facts about birds and bird species are told in small bites so that you learn a lot but don't get that bogged-down textbook feeling.
  
  To read our full review, go to
  the Reading Tub.
• 
  Laura

  What a great book! The pictures are amazing. The facts are presented in a kid-friendly format and reading level. Kids will love the layout and the fold out pages that bring the birds to life. Readers will walk away with an appreciation for these birds as well as a little more knowledge about the majestic predators.
• 
  Casey Girard

  Beautiful paintings of these flying predators with many of them painted at full size. This means you can compare them to your hand as you read. The personal stories about seeing the birds in the wild pair nicely with the paintings.
• 
  Amanda

  Audience: 1st grade and up
  Appeal: Students and teachers. Beautifully illustrated book book about nature's flying predators is geared for the nature loving, inquisitive child.
  
  Awards: NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children-Recommended Books
• 
  Julee

  Jim Arnosky'd name equates with high quality non-fiction literature. He knows exactly how to engage readers with his intensely detailed illustrations and captivating language. Thunderbirds is amazing.
• 
  Stephanie Sapp

  A perfect book for bird-watchers. I'm sure students will love comparing their arm-length to the wingspan of the osprey. The illustrations are incredible and the text is very personal, related to Mr. Arnosky's experience.
• 
  Kkakaliouras

  I have a thing for birds of prey so I really enjoyed this book. The paintings were gorgeous, so carefully detailed. I appreciated Arnosky's stories and the information shared. A great non-fiction read!
• 
  Margie

  Plenty of information about these truly big birds along with very impressive artwork accomplished by the author from his many sightings. The art work and fold-outs give readers a true feel for the size of these birds.
• 
  James Lindseth

  It was cool!!!
• 
  Edward Sullivan

  Stunning introduction to brids of prey with several spectacular fold-out pages.
• 
  Karen

  I can't rate or review this book yet as I am a judge for the final round of Cybils in NFPB category.
• 
  Linda

  spectacular illustrations and interesting text
• 
  Zonia

  Beautifully illustrated book with detailed facts about different birds of prey.
• 
  stillme

  ALSC Notable 2012
• 
  Beverly

  Life-size, realistic paintings make this a fascinating look at various predator birds.
• 
  Tara

  The pinacle of all that is good and wonderful about birds and this author! Amazing!!!
• 
  Marianna

  Beautiful illustrations.
• 
  Deb

  The pull out pages make this book exciting and I learned a ton from the comparative information about the birds.
• 
  Elizabeth

  Beautiful book of this author's paintings. Lots of information on the different birds. Daxon will love this one. Very well done