Counting Is for the Birds

Frank Mazzola Jr. threads together three things that rarely share a page: a counting exercise, a genuine story, and a bird identification guide. Twenty backyard species arrive one by one at a feeder while a cat waits below; rhyming couplets count them in and prose captions on each spread deliver real species facts about feeding habits and behavior. When the cat pounces, a squirrel saves the day — which gives the whole counting sequence a satisfying narrative arc rather than just a series of additions. The appendix identifying males and females of each species adds real reference value. School Library Journal praised it, and a Learning Magazine Teacher's Choice Award reflects strong classroom reception. The digital paintings are detailed and precise; some readers may find them a touch cool compared to traditional media, but for nature content the accuracy pays off.