A Dance of Birds by Angela Blair

 It's time for some art and poetry goodness! Today's read hits poetry and, hopefully, beautiful illustrations. July's weather often invites to leaning back and letting the day sink in, and I'm thinking that today's read might just be perfect for that. Plus, introducing young readers to poetry and art is always a plus. 

I'm ready to enjoy, so let's open this book up and do just that!

A DANCE OF BIRDS

Poetry and Paper Collage

by Angela Blair

Illustrated by Sherri Kay Linnenmeyer

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 2 to 8

COMING JULY 20th!!!

A Dance of Birds: Poetry and Paper Collage is a unique artistic picture book exploring the wide world of birds with a childlike fascination for our feathered friends. Bird sounds, patterns, behaviors, and formations are highlighted in a lyrical, visually engaging way with handcrafted original artwork, bringing the wonder and magic of birds to life. Enchanting children and parents alike, A Dance of Birds is a new, timeless classic.

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE

MY TIDBITS

A burst of colorful, feathered friends awaits to shine on every page.

This is an ode to birds, and it does so with poetic style and illustrative grace. One by one, a bird takes the spotlight and is showcased in a natural setting. Just a few words or even a few short phrases of rhyme make each one come across with a sense of pride and beauty.

The illustrations are lovely and use a bit of texture here and there to give a special touch to each setting. The birds are recognizable and presented bright and bold. A variety of birds are presented, including everything from exotic parrots to more familiar seen roosters. The text flows along the side in a white strip to make this easy to use as a read-aloud. While carrying a smooth, rhyming flow, the tact changes a bit from page to page, steering a little away from a sing-songy direction while maintaining the lyrical atmosphere. I found this made it easier to catch the attention on each page.

At the end of the book, there's a list of the name of the birds, so that each one can be revisited. There's also a coloring page, where young readers can color their own feather friend. It awakens awareness of the huge variety of birds, while also keeping a sense of respect, awe, and emphasis on the beauty each one holds.

And here they are...

Angela Blair, also a novelist, is a world traveler and lifelong student of the human experience. With a degree in creative writing, she has spent years exploring cultures across Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America, and the South Pacific. Her travels have deepened her appreciation for the threads that connect people across the globe and continue to inspire themes of beauty, joy, and interconnectedness in her writing. 

Sherri Kay Linnemeyer brings decades of artistic experience to the project. With a background in sculpture, printmaking, acrylic painting, watercolor, and collage, she is especially drawn to subjects found in the natural world, including birds, wildlife, flowers, and landscapes. Her richly textured paper collages capture both the personality and elegance of each bird featured in the book.