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About The Book

From Caldecott Honor illustrator Robin Page comes this striking nonfiction STEM picture book exploring the fascinating and surprising ways different kinds of birds use their unique beaks.

Birds around the world have so many amazing kinds of beaks! There are short beaks and long beaks, straight beaks and curved beaks, flat beaks and even spoon-shaped beaks. But what do all of these beaks do?

Discover how beaks of different shapes and sizes are adapted to help birds sip nectar, make nests, battle for mates, and more!

About The Author

Robin Page has written and illustrated many picture books celebrating the natural world, including the 2003 Caldecott Honor recipient What Do You Do with a Tail Like This?, which she created with her husband Steve Jenkins, and her own A Chicken Followed Me Home!, Seeds Move!, Shall We Dance?, and Who Meows?. Robin lives in Boulder, Colorado.

About The Illustrator

Robin Page has written and illustrated many picture books celebrating the natural world, including the 2003 Caldecott Honor recipient What Do You Do with a Tail Like This?, which she created with her husband Steve Jenkins, and her own A Chicken Followed Me Home!, Seeds Move!, Shall We Dance?, and Who Meows?. Robin lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Beach Lane Books (January 5, 2021)
  • Length: 40 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534460423
  • Grades: P - 3
  • Ages: 4 - 8
  • Lexile ® AD840L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

By zooming in on one of birds’ most idiosyncratic features, Page reveals just what a multifaceted marvel a beak can be: “This beak is for drilling./ This beak is for scooping.// This beak is for shredding./ This beak is for clutching.” Placed alongside a large, clean-lined illustration of a bird in profile, a declarative statement on each page describes what a specific beak can do. (Expertly captured field marks, rendered in vibrant, saturated color, pop against the crisp white background.) Page also offers a sentence explaining the declaration alongside an inset illustration showing the bird using its beak as described: “Using the expandable pouch that is part of its beak, the pelican scoops up a fish.” A clear, concise, and engaging read for fledgling ornithologists. Back matter includes more species detail and a bibliography. Ages 3–8. (Jan.)

– Publishers Weekly *STARRED*, October 26, 2020

If you thought beaks were just for pecking, think again.

This picture book examines in piercing detail the astonishing adaptability of birds’ beaks. [...] An unusual insight into one aspect of the amazing adaptability of birds.

– Kirkus Reviews, October 15th, 2020

Awards and Honors

  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List PrimaryTitle
  • CBC/NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book
  • Colorado Book Awards Finalist
  • Eureka! Excellence in Nonfiction Gold Award (CA)
  • A Baker's Dozen Title (PA)
  • Topaz Nonfiction Reading List (TX)
  • Picture This Recommendation List

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Robin Page