Robins! How They Grow Up, written by Eileen Christelow, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary: Robins: How They Grow Up is a layered and detailed account of the life of a young robin. The lesson begins with the father bird flying north and the mother bird joining him a bit later. Mating is implied and assumed, but never discussed in detail. The reader then follows as the mother bird builds a nest and lays eggs in it. The book continues as the baby birds hatch, grow feathers, leave the nest, learn to fly, feed and defend themselves, and finally migrate south to begin the cycle again. Though the images are digital illustrations rather than photographs, the information is completely factual, showing each step of a bird’s life from egg to adulthood at five months old. Accompanying the fact-based illustrations of the prominent stages of robin life, most pages also include an aside in which the two baby robins break the fourth wall, talking to each other and adding extra details for the reader. Excellent back matter includes an author’s note, glossary, frequently asked questions about robins, and source material. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is an fantastic resource for young students doing research and a fascinating read for early nature enthusiasts. Christelow spares no details, including strong explanations of commonly known facts, (feathers come in slowly and enable robins to fly) as well as lesser known details (baby robins defecate in small white sacs that must be removed from the nest by their parents). Many of the pages are quite text-heavy for a picture book, making this a better choice for middle or upper elementary school students, rather than early readers. Additional support for that point is the loss of multiple siblings from the next (one is eaten as an egg by a squirrel and the other is taken by a hawk), which might bother younger or more sensitive children. The utilization of the two robin brothers speaking to each other to provide extra details is brilliant, and often incorporates humor that will further enhance the enjoyment of this book. Most children, even science savvy youngsters, are likely to learn something new from this book and enjoy it, despite its very specific topic. A strong choice for an elementary school animal collection, especially in places like Michigan, where robins are plentiful throughout most of the year.