The Young Birder's Guide To Birds Of North America (Peterson Field Guides) Paperback – Illustrated, April 24, 2012

I've been reading field guides to birds for about fifty years. Bill Thompson's "Young Birder's Guide to Birds of North America" is, without question, the best I've seen for beginning birders. I've purchased one for my granddaughter and another for a family of young nieces. I'm quite sure that they are not the last.When Bill wrote the book, he got plenty of input from his son Liam, daughter Phoebe, and her 5th grade class. It shows. There is plenty of information for interested folks of all ages, but it is carefully written so as to neither patronize young readers, nor to be too far over their heads. I read my granddaughter's copy before handing it over, and there was a lot that was news to this old birder.There are about three hundred species included, with identifying marks, information about habits, range maps and a variety of photographs, in addition to drawings by his wife, the wildlife artist Julie Zickefoose. The book is readable, portable, durable, and complete enough to satisfy most bird lovers who are interested in the birds in their backyards and local woods. It might require a bit of supplementation when the Spring and Fall migrants are moving, but in most situations it will get the job done. More importantly, it entertains as well as informs.The author is editor of "Bird Watcher's Digest," and leads birding trips all over the world. He, Julie and the kids, are well-known in birding venues. He also plays guitar, sings and writes for The Rain Crows, a band popular in Eastern Ohio and in birding sites across America.Disclaimer: the Thompson family are friends, but I was not asked to write this review. If I hadn't liked the book, I would simply not have written anything.

I bought this for the 11-year old daughter of a woman who was hanging wallpaper for us. I was showing her all the birds in our yard and she was very interested and picked up on them quickly. I ordered the book, had it in 2 days with Amazon Prime, and gave it to her the next time she came over with her mother. I also handed her a pack of those little colored Post-It tabs that you use to show someone where to sign a document. I told her she could mark the pages of the ones she liked. As she went through the book she would say "OHHHHHHHHHH!!!" at each bird that caught her eye and would pull out a tab and stick it on the page. A few more pages and another "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!". When she left there were about 25 tabs sticking out of the top of the book. I think she'll have it a long time. Probably the best investment I've ever made.

My nephews and niece loved the book. They live in country and have a good time checking out the different birds

Great book for young and old. Well worth the price

Certainly not super in-depth, but a great starter book. My 3 yr old is an avid border & enjoys thumbing through this book & if we need more info on a particular bird at the feeder we go online.

I kept the book on the kitchen table, where we could see the birds at our feeders while we ate. Each time the 7 year old asked, "What's that bird?" I'd find the page for him and then he would take it from there. By the end of the week, he knew all our birds (chickadees, titmice, sparrows, hummers, cardinals, blue jays, nuthatches, woodpeckers, wrens), and the "Wow" facts about them. He also often picked up the book to find other birds, and when he would swear to me he'd just seen an eagle, I'd smile and enjoy his newfound interest in my lifelong hobby.

I love the way this book is laid out. Lots of easy to understand information. Gave this book to our grandsons, who are too young to read, but the oldest is already studying the pictures. He loves nature and animals. It is a great book for adults too, not juvenile at all.

I bought this book for my grandsons. It is Christmas Day and I still haven't wrapped it because I keep looking at it. It's a great book for ALL birders, not just Young ones! Easy to use and lots of interesting and useful info. I am going to have to wrap it now because I need to give it to the boys! I am going to buy myself a copy and one for my granddaughter too! The pictures are great. This is an awesome bookThe Young Birder's Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guides)