Welcome to another Perfect Picture Book Friday book review. Knowing my admiration for all things nature, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’ve chosen to share a nature-themed poetry book. This one is ALL about robins – those red-breasted, fancy-vested, springtime visitors with a hearty appetite for wiggly, jiggly worms.
A Round of Robins
Written by- Katie Hesterman
Illustrated by – Sergio Ruzzier
Published by- Nancy Paulsen Books – 2018
Topics – Bird poems, robins, and nature
The first poem in the book.
TURF TUNE
Defender Dad sings, “Back away,
‘Cause Mom and I are here to stay!
We’ll raise a brood, and when we’re done,
We just might hatch another one.”
Synopsis from Amazon – Sixteen fresh and funny poems welcome a new batch of robins to the world!
Katie Hesterman’s vibrant verse celebrates this awesome circle of bird life, as we follow a pair of robin parents from nest-building and egg-laying to raising their hungry hatchlings, and finally sending off their flying fledglings. Sergio Ruzzier’s brilliant, candy-colored art pays tribute to all these stages of a robin’s life cycle, reminding us that while robins may be common, they are also extraordinary!
Why do I like this book? With my soft spot for nature, birds, and poetry, this book sings one of my favorite songs. I found this gem perched on a library shelf beside a flock of bird-themed picture books. Sergio Ruzzier’s signature style of illustration stood out from the other books. His playful and expressive pen and ink and watercolor illustrations add the right feel to accompany Katie Hesterman’s thoughtful poems which take the reader on a journey from nest building to family hatching to nest leaving. I opened to the first page, read the poem I shared above, and I instantly added this book to my checkout pile of picture book treasures. I hope you’ll pick up this book and enjoy the thoughtful robin poems and downright adorable illustrations.
Learn more about Katie Hesterman HERE.
Learn more about Sergio Ruzzier HERE.
Watch a video about robins on YouTube HERE.
Visit “Drawing Tutorials” to help children learn how to draw a robin HERE.
Until next Friday.
Leslie Leibhardt Goodman 
Perfect timing! I have it on the top of my TBR books – fresh from the library yesterday.
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If you love nature, birds, and poetry, I have a feeling you’re going to enjoy the thoughtful poems and playful illustrations that accompany them in this book as much as I do.
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Looks adorable. Nature lovers will love it.
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Nature lovers. That’s me. And cover to cover, this book is a favorite. I hope you’ll check it out and enjoy it as much as I do.
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I adore Sergio’s art… he always makes me fall in love with the characters.
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That’s it exactly, Joanna. Sergio has a gift for creating lovable characters, and his talent for doing so shows up in this book on every page.
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This looks enchanting — I love the adorable cover!
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The cover is what instantly caught my eye. Then, I opened the book to the first poem and together, poetry and pictures won my heart.
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Great book for bird lovers.
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I realize I should have saved this review for spring when robins make their big entrance, but being a bird lover, I knew other bird lovers (and poetry lovers) would like to know about this book. I hope if you get a chance to check it out that you enjoy it as much as I do. 🙂
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Ditto what others have said. Love Sergio’s work, and it’s a perfect match for all bird-lovers and those who don’t yet know they love birds and will fall in love while reading this book.
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Thank you for the smile, Jilanne, I like what you wrote about the book being perfect for those who don’t yet know they love birds. Growing up in this middle of a forest, I was constantly surrounded by sweet bird songs. Falling in love with this book was a breeze. I hope if you read it, you will love it, too.
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Update: just got it from the library, and my 14-year-old son read it first. He said: “That’s a really good book!” So there you have it. I agree!
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This looks like a beautiful book for children learning about birds. Gorgeous cover.
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I agree. Children will learn much about birds through these thoughtful poems, especially about robins. And Sergio’s lively illustrations make the perfect accompaniment.
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This looks wonderful! I can’t believe I haven’t seen it yet. Animals and poetry are such a great combo.
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HI, Sue, I agree with you that animals and poetry work well together, and this book is more than a collection of poems about robins. From cover to cover, the reader learns what robin parents do from the moment they build their nest, lay their clutch of turquoise-blue eggs, watch their little ones hatch and grow, to the moment the parents begin the process again. So much to love.
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This sounds cute and looks cute. In a nut shell a very cute book. (interesting… I’ve just finished writing a new draft of a bird story)
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Hi, Diane, I have a soft spot for bird books, and this one is quite the winner with me. Good luck with your bird story! 🙂
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