RIKI’S BIRDHOUSE

Riki’s passion for birds is evident, and likely to be contagious, in Wellington’s latest. The precocious child is a diligent bird watcher who does all he can to attract and keep birds in his yard through all the seasons—from building a bluebird house and making his own bird food to putting out nest-building materials and growing sunflowers…all without adult supervision. The bold colors, simple shapes and clean lines of the gouache illustrations are in sharp contrast to the details found in the photographic elements cut out and glued onto the artwork. Decorative frames surround the text, reinforcing the topic and adding more information—readers get a glimpse of Riki’s journal pages, identify some of the birds in his yard and learn how a bird develops inside an egg. Backmatter includes instructions for building and installing a birdhouse, a recipe for bird-food cupcakes and information about birdbaths, feeders and bluebirds. Bird lovers with young children and aspiring bird watchers are sure to want to emulate Riki. (Picture book. 3-6)