How Birds Sleep

by David Obuchowski, Sarah Pedry (Illustrator)

Discover the mysterious and fascinating sleeping habits of more than twenty bird species from around the world in this gorgeously illustrated read-aloud picture book, perfect for bedtime, or any time.

Have you ever seen a bird sleep? Or wondered just when it is that migrating cranes find the time to catch Z’s as they cross the ocean? From the parrots of Thailand to the ostriches of Australia and even the pigeons of New York City, every bird sleeps—but they do it in ways that will surprise and delight you. Some hang from tree branches, others doze while gliding, and some even burrow underground for a nap. Written in a witty, conversational voice, and with gorgeous illustrations, this picture book is bursting with interesting facts about this underexplored aspect of bird life all around us.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Birds, Animals, Nature, Science, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2023

Reviews

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Astra Publishing for this ARC!

A great non-fiction to wind down for bedtime with the birds. I learned quite a bit about bird species I didn’t know about, but it wasn’t too wordy. The art style was lovely.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just what the title says, how birds sleep. It shows the many ways birds sleep, nestling, in a ball huddled, upside down, in a snow bank, etc.

The illustrations are great and the birds are identified. A great non-fiction book that is very interesting.

[Pine Reads Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

“As the sun goes down, birds all over the world are preparing for a good night’s rest. So how do birds sleep anyway?”

With breathtakingly gorgeous illustrations and elegant prose, How Birds Sleep teaches its readers about the sleep habits of birds across the world, from gulls getting cozy amongst the choppy waves of the North Atlantic to parrots hanging upside down in the lush forests of Thailand. The end of the book includes a detailed yet easily understandable afterward on the science of sleep and climate change’s impact on avian life, which adds a little pragmatism to the dreaminess of the narrative and illustrations. This picture book sheds some light on an often underappreciated aspect of nature’s beauty and might even encourage you to pay more attention to your local bird scene!

Whether you are a seasoned ornithologist or a newly curious bird watcher, you will find something to enjoy in How Birds Sleep. The writing draws you right in with immersive and engaging descriptions of birds and their behavior, and the illustrations are stunning renditions of our sleepy feathered friends. I particularly like how the cool color palette adds to the dreamy ambiance of the book—hues of blue and purple fill the page, with hints of warm oranges and reds scattered about, like a cheerful fireplace during a winter evening. This is the perfect nighttime read for a snug night in, especially when it’s cold outside but you’re all comfy in bed. Another impressive aspect of the book is the sheer depth of research that clearly went into it. The author draws on the knowledge of expert ornithologists, professors, and museum curators, and couples this information with alluring illustrations that leave readers with a comprehensive understanding of avian sleep. Even though I’m not a bird enthusiast by any means, this book still fascinated me. For example, I had no idea that some birds can sleep tight in termite nests!

How Birds Sleep is perfect for anyone with an interest in birds, sleep, or just looking for a fun picture book, as it is beautifully illustrated, gracefully written, well-researched, and, of course, full of fascinating insights into the sleep lives of birds.

[Rebecca Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title indicates, How Birds Sleep by David Obuchowski, illustrated by Sarah Pedry (mineditionUS, March 2023) teaches how nearly two dozen bird species sleep. The tone of the text sounds like a bedtime book, and it has a frame of a barn owl waking just as the animals are ready for sleep. Then, at the end of the picture book, that frame comes full circle with the owl returning to sleep as the other animals awake.

The illustrations show realistic birds in their natural habitats and homes, whether in a nest or buried under the snow. I liked that the hidden nests had a cut-away to show us how the birds sleep inside, safe and protected. There are also a few two-page spreads offer a sweeping panorama, including a seascape and a sky scene. These pages are my favorite. I learned that one species of bird sleeps while flying!

As I read, I considered various ways this book an be incorporated into homeschooling. Any unit about birds would benefit. I imagined myself reading this aloud to a group of preschoolers and having them act out the bird actions: tucked in a “nest,” standing on one leg, hiding their heads in their arms, flying, and so forth. Although the end matter appears on three text-dense pages better suited for an adult reader, the information is helpful. It discusses the definition and need for sleep, birds’ sleep habits, and climate change’s impact on bird habitats.

In opinion, How Birds Sleep offers a lot to it’s reader: it can be used for an information for a unit on birds or climate change, a pleasant bedtime story, or a pretty picture book to browse through.

I read a digital review copy of How Birds Sleep.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect bedtime reading for animal and science lovers.
Readers journey around the world discovering the different ways and places birds sleep. Richly colored gouache paintings show a variety of species at rest, stacked in a pile, buried in the snow, rocked to sleep on waves or high in the air. Simple text provides context and includes intriguing specifics: often drawing connections between human and bird experience. Both common and Latin names are included, making this suitable for preschool bedtime or older nature lovers. Backmatter explains the science of sleep, includes a primer on climate change and offers suggestions for how to aid birds. Thanks to Minedition and NetGalley for an advance copy in return for an unbiased review.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So how do birds sleep anyway?” is addressed by Sara Pedry and David Obuchowski’s inviting narrative about 20 bird species from the United States and other countries from around the world including Chile, Kenya, China, and Australia on single pages and double-page spreads that identify the featured birds by common and scientific names and countries and present facts about their sleep behavior. The book opens at dusk in the United States with a barn owl wide awake while thousands of tree swallows signal bedtime “in an elaborate routine” in the sky before they “funnel down into the reeds” to slumber—and ends with the barn owl nestled in his tree at dawn for a good day’s sleep while tree swallows fly out of the reeds. Pedry’s lush artwork, done by hand in layers using charcoal, ink, and gouache, augments the text with realistic portraits of the birds sleeping in their natural habitats. This soothing read-aloud also makes a perfect goodnight book. Back matter includes information about bird sleep, climate change, the backstory, and resources. (PreK-Gr 2)

[Christina Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long loved to look into the darkening sky, seeing flocks of crows flying across the city to nest for the night. I sit outside on summer evenings eagerly listening to the chatter of the birds before the magical moment when they all fall silent for the night. David Obuchowski’s “How Birds Sleep” takes readers into a world so often unseen and unknown, into the spaces where birds find sleep and shows us the many incredible ways in which they find it. With Sarah Pedry’s incredibly beautiful illustrations, you feel like you are nesting with the birds - be it in a downy nest, hanging from a tree or cresting on a warm air current. This would make a wonderful bedtime read!


Teacher Tips

* Discovery - What are the different ways that birds sleep?

* Find the listed birds on a map. 

* What kind of birds live in our neighbourhood? How do they sleep?

* How do nocturnal and diurnal birds behave and live differently from each other?

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like other living things, birds need rest, too. But did you know there are birds who sleep while floating on the ocean? Birds who sleep while gliding on air currents? And what about the ones who sleep standing on one leg? Some birds sleep in groups, others all by themselves, and they sleep in nests, on branches, and on telephone lines, there's even a bird that makes its nest by sewing leaves together.

Interesting information, and well presented. Each bird is identified by Name, scientific name, and where it can be found, and is accompanied by a gorgeous illustration of the bird (or birds) asleep - on the waves, in its nest, or wherever, in beautiful shades of night. Includes an author's note with more information, including what sleep is. I can see some great class discussions following the sharing of How Birds Sleep. It would also make a fantastic bedtime story!

Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Dione Basseri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corner-to-corner full-color illustrations of birds in their habitats keep little eyes on the page the whole time. And each bird looks just so cozy! MY favorite has to be the vernal hanging parrot, just for the fact that I didn’t know ANY birds slept hanging upside-down. But I was also quite pleased with the 4 illustrations done in a cut-out fashion, so we can see both the interior structure of the nest and the environs outside.

This is a good introduction book for aspiring birders. It’s not very text-heavy, or information-heavy. Each bird is identified by common English name, scientific name, and their native region. The descriptions of their sleeping patterns are the primary educational factor, as you’d expect, but the book does end with a 2 pages of more in-depth information about sleep in general, and also a focus on how climate change and human encroachment might be affecting bird sleep patterns.

[Trisha Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I chose this book: It came through in the new books at the library, and I love birds! I also like children's nonfiction books about wildlife. The artwork on the front cover is beautiful, and further inspired me to read it.

Brief summary: This book goes through different specieis of birds and explains through details and illustrations how and where they sleep.

What I didn't like about this book: I love when children's nonfiction books have rich backmatter, but this book doesn't have much . There are two pages at the end that futher detail sleep and the effects of climate change on bird's sleep. It would have been cool if there was more backmatter on the individual birds mentioned.

What I like about this book: The illustrations are lovely. The muted colors make the book feel peaceful, giving it a bedtime story feel. I like that the bottom of the page tells the reader what kind of bird they're learning about so they could find more information if they want.

[Lynn Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a real charming book to read. The author's writing as if he is speaking just to you the reader. What can I say about the art work by Sarah Pedry is that it is makes the book. As you are reading and experiencing the informational words the art work makes each page a treat because the writing and art work go hand and hand. Two words best describe the book and that is mysterious and fascinating. More than twenty bird species from around our planet are highlighted individually on each page. There are some insightful writings towards the back of the book such a question and a answer to explain for example So What is Sleep Anyway? and Are Birds Losing Sleep Over Climate Change. The story of the story hopefully will inspire you. There is a small listing of resources you can search to learn more. This book to me is a breath of fresh air in comparison to other books that are currently out there.

[Nita · Rating 3 out of 5]

How Birds Sleep
Author: David Obuchowski
Genre: Non fiction - Children's - Nature
Moods: Informative
Pace: Medium

Have you ever seen a bird sleep? Or wondered just when it is that migrating cranes find the time to catch Zzzz’s as they cross the ocean?

From the parrots of Thailand to the ostriches of Australia and even the pigeons of New York City, every bird sleeps—but they do it in ways that will surprise and delight you. Some hang from tree branches, others doze while gliding, and some even burrow underground for a nap.

Written in a witty, conversational voice, and with gorgeous illustrations, this picture book is bursting with interesting facts about this underexplored aspect of bird life all around us.

Remarks:
How Birds Sleep by David Obuchowski is a delightful picture book that is a perfect fit for curious and adventurous young readers who love learning about the natural world and the fascinating habits of birds.

My Rating: 3/5

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I took an ornithology course, I assumed that birds lived (and slept) in their nests. But that isn't necessarily true. Many birds only build/use a nest when they are raising young and at other times they will sleep in other places. "How Birds Sleep" introduces readers to some of the many ways birds catch a little shuteye. For the most part, they try to find quiet, hidden places where they can be safe from predators. Since it's hard to find them in these places, studying and photographing birds sleeping can be difficult! Some seabirds sleep while resting on the waves or even flying. WILD! Readers will definitely want to know more about birds and their sleep habits after reading this book. There's a little more information to whet the appetite in several afterwords by the authors. You may want to track down "Birds Asleep," by Alexander F. Skutch (1989) for more details.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

How DO birds sleep? It's a question I've often thought about myself as the night settles in and the world quiets. Obuchowski was also curious about this question, later stumbling on a book in a used book store that examined the science around the question. Like most things about birds, it varies from species to species. This is a fascinating exploration of a question that many children ask too and done in a lovely bed-time book style. Sarah Pedry's illustrations are beautiful and soothing. Using familiar and unfamiliar birds labeled on each page, the book takes readers through the world of sleeping birds and their fascinating ways of sleeping. Some sleep in huddles, some hanging upside down and some even fly in their sleep.

Back matter includes much more information about the subject, how the book came to be and suggestions of how to help birds being affected by climate change.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book more stars. It's perfect in every way. The artwork is BEAUTIFUL. The "story" and fact on every page are engaging but short enough that a variety of readers could grasp what was being read to them or that they were reading. I loved that each page on had one bird on it so it made the tag at the bottom of the page of what bird this was easy to decipher. What I loved even more about the tags at the bottom was that it not only included the common name of the bird, but the scientific species classification of the bird, AND where the bird typically calls home. I can't say enough good things about this book, truly and honestly.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

At some point children's publishing transitioned from preventative possible questions of climate change (is it happening? how much is human-driven? how can we be better stewards of our environment?) into frank acknowledgement that human-driven climate change has already happened, we are in the middle of it, and ways we might slow it down or prevent things from getting worse.

What is clearly a book on how birds sleep ends with a somber note about how climate change is affecting these birds' habits.

A story that answers an interesting question in a nice-to-look-at way.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about how birds sleep? Different birds have different way of dozing off to sleep. Rest, for them, is as essential as it is for human. But birds don't sleep like humans. Out in the open, some sleep on the ground, some sleep on the trees, some sleep in the ocean, and even some sleep while still flying high. With amazing illustrations about these birds, am fascinated with how each survive the wild and have a rest.

[Rita H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my almost 4-year old—and it was such a delight. The illustrations are beautiful, and I learned as much as my little person, when reading about the various ways birds sleep. It’s such a beautiful start for learning about birds for both children and adults. I can’t wait to dive deeper into many of the birds in the book.
Additionally, the illustrations lend themselves to lots of observations from the younger set—beautifully done book.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
Rich illustrations help the reader picture how many different birds find their rest, Birds from all over the world are featured in their unique sleeping roosts. From birds that roost on land to birds that rest while in flight, tis book is a delightful introduction to the resting habits of birds.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous picture book tells the reader how different birds from around the world sleep. Some birds are snuggled in an abandoned termite nest, sailing on the sea or through the air or in a number of other ways. The illustrations help us picture the bird in its natural habitat. Children and adults will love this book!

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Astra Publishing House, mineditionUS for a free digital copy.

A beautifully illustrated and educational book about birds and how they sleep. I love the number of birds it features. Plus it reads like a story while still giving great facts.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and goodreads giveaways for the free copy! This is a lovely book that is bound to spark the reader’s curiosity. It’s a little slower in pace than my five year old would prefer, but I’m glad to have it in the library for him to explore at his leisure.

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has birds from around the world and not just North America. This includes land and sea birds. I liked the information on birds and climate change and how it is effecting them.

Thank you Astra Books for sending me a copy to review.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars This book was amazing. It blew my mind, I sort of remember hearing once about a sea bird that flew while it was asleep. It was just a fun and interesting Book. Great illustrations.

[Martha Schwalbe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another picture book that was part of the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Alumni Steam conference door prize package.

For me, this book raised more questions than it answered because now I want to know more about how birds sleep. This book served as an appetizer.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a bird lover like me than this book will be right up your alley. Great information on whether climate change has an impact on birds.

[Emily S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and some interesting facts about our feather friends!

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations and informative text without being too wordy. I appreciate the captions on each page identifying the featured bird. Limited back matter.

[Patti P · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book.
I loved the art, the facts…everything.