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.

The illustrations in this book are simply gorgeous, and the explanations/narrative do a lovely job of conveying information simply but lyrically.

How Birds Sleep is a great nonfiction title that delves into the specifics of different birds’ nocturnal behavior while conveying it like a traditional picture book. The inclusion of the common and scientific name of each bird featured is a great addition. The illustrations are gorgeous and captivating while the information is easy to understand. The book weaves in a lot of rare vocabulary words that make this even more useful for a child’s literacy development. The back matter is very interesting but seems above the comprehension of the target audience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This is a fantastic book about how birds sleep. Lots of great information.

This is such a special book and I am glad that young readers will have it to use as a reference. When I was young, I adored non-fiction books about birds. I can't say how my love started or where it drew my interest but, I know I would have adored this growing up and I remain happy to know it was written.

This fascinating look into the various ways birds sleep is gorgeously illustrated and full of facts for hungry young minds. The endpapers themselves showcase birds picked out as constellations in the starry sky. Each illustration shows the birds in their natural habitat as they prepare to sleep. The text talks about the different ways in which birds find a safe, warm, or cozy spot that suits their needs. They may line up on branch, or hang from it upside down. They may cuddle together in a big feathery ball in a nest, dive into a snowbank, or drift on an ocean wave. The common name, scientific name, and location for each species is noted at the bottom of the page.

Several things make this a fun and informative book to share with youngsters. It showcases a variety of birds from around the world and the incredible ways they sleep (soaring over the sea, standing on one leg, even underground). The barn owl from the first page, who is just setting off for a busy night as everyone else settles down, shows up again on the last page returning to its nest as the other birds wake and begin their day. That circular feeling of coming back to where it all started is very satisfying. Back matter includes a discussion of what sleep is, the effects of climate change on birds, and a few resources for more information about feathered friends.

It is hard to believe that this is the first picture book from this husband and wife duo, and readers can only hope that more are to come. Whether this is used as a bedtime read-aloud, or as part of a class unit on birds or animal adaptations - it is sure to capture the attention and imagination of young readers.

This is a lovely non-fiction text for the very young about birds sleep. A great way to introduce animal adaptations and use it as a springboard to new learning.

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.

I’ll add Walking Together to my Indigenous authors and illustrators collection. It will be perfect for a read aloud as the bridge between my Embracing Heritage and my environmental activism units. I was drawn to the vibrant illustrations and the message of living in harmony with the earth.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for my copy of How Birds Sleep by David Obuchowski in exchange for an honest review. It publishes March 28, 2023.
This is a fun, informative, and beautifully illustrated book! Any kid who is interested in birds will definitely want to get their hands on this one! It would make an excellent gift, or addition to any home, classroom, or school library!

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?