Birding Is My Favorite Video Game

Very cute, funny and informative. I learned a few new things and chuckled out loud more than once.

Rosemary Mosco’s comics are adorable and they have a cute & deadpan sort of humor that is difficult to explain, but oh so fun to read. Mosco has an obvious adoration for the natural world which reflects in her comics. Readers will most definitely learn something new and unusual about the world, to my horror I learned that chipmunks eat mice. I will recommend this book to customers looking for fun gift ideas, but also to readers who appreciate fun information and adorable illustrations.

A fun graphic novel. Lots to love in this one. Thanks!

This hits a magical sweet spot of educational, funny, and downright adorable.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!

Yay, one of the books I am reading for review is good again! I was already worried after 2 misses that this would also not turn out to be fun, but thankfully this was just as a fun as I hoped!

Sure, it had some parts that were a bit boring, or felt a bit too much like a teacher telling the kids to DO something (sorry, my mind is not really up to thinking what the right English word would be). But I still read those parts as they had fun illustrations. :P

The other parts were just terrific. The book is separated in 5 parts, starting with Feathers (birds), Scales, Fins & Others (you can guess), Seasons (fun!), So You Want to be a Biologist (of course, doesn't everyone with such pretty nature outside?), Tips & Tricks (some more information and tips). I quite liked that it was done this way, though I am a bit sad the book ends short as the index takes quite a few pages.

I laughed so hard at several of the comics/parts. Like the dating profiles (that one bird that just kept on walking on the beach), the turkey vulture, the turtle one (have to show it to my boyfriend, he loves turtles and I am sure he will laugh when reading it), and many others. It was a feast to read this one.

The illustrations were brilliant, I just adore the style. How to say it, I just love how life-like the critters are but also can look comically and hilarious. Plus the use of colours is just fab!

So all in all, a fun book with lots of facts about animals, lots of humour, and great art. Definitely recommended!

I initially passed up this little gem because the cover is not very appealing to me. But, based on the reviews, I picked it up, and am glad I did. What a quirky, educational and funny comic. You can absolutely feel the author's love for the natural world. This is such a delight.

My children and I had a riot with this one! It's got a lot about environmentalism and even has some great quotes and information. But it is also incredibly funny.

I would say I was most impressed with the index that listed every single animal used in the book. It's not just about birds.

And my favorite line? "Take action for animals. Because they are really, really bad at it."

Thank you NetGalley and Rosemary Mosco!!!

I really enjoyed this book. The art is lovely. I consider this to be a good introduction to a topic I am not very familiar with and gave me a better understanding and appreciation of nature in a format that I could properly enjoy. It is informative and funny with a quick wit, but is not so informative that you feel bored or that you are being given a lecture. I would recommend this to anyone who likes the Science Comics series, but is aimed at an older audience, or for fans of Sarah Andersen.

If you're a science nerd and on Twitter or Tumblr, you're likely already familiar with Rosemary Mosco's work, also known under the the title Bird and Moon.

Rosemary is a science communicator who tells her stories through the form of often adorable, but always educational, short comics. This book showcases a collection of some of her best work. I was already familiar with most of these as I've been following Bird and Moon for a while now, but for anyone who's into wildlife and nature, with a flavor of environmentalism, you will absolutely enjoy these. I think one of the best descriptions came from The Birdist, who said that the collection "does for biology what xkcd does for math and Hark! A Vagrant does for history: pull out the humorous voice from a field not known for expressing itself with much gusto."

I think the best word to describe Rosemary's work would be quirky. It's hard to encapsulate her work in any other way, so here are some of my faves to give you a taste. [images follow]

This book will be released on April 17 and I highly recommend you get yourself a copy!

I have been a long-time fan of Rosemary Mosco's comics, and seeing them condensed into a book made my day! They are a clever blend of naturalism and biology mixed with humor and really awesome art, a definite must read for any nature lovers who have a sense of humor.

A funny, yet informative, look at science and the natural world. This graphic novel is based on the webcomic Bird and Moon. A fun comic that depicts birding, animal life, nature, and biologists/naturalists. Cute illustrations.

A quirky collection of one-shot cartoons featuring all manner of critters, from birds (duh!), to salamanders, squirrels, and even plants. Most of the cartoons present interesting facts in a most humorous manner. You’ll learn about the foraging patterns of tree climbing birds like the woodpecker, birdie evolution, why hammerheads have hammer shaped heads, and more.

I loved the 'Nature Names for Your Baby’! Haha, Hellbender and Centaury. Yep, those are our next cubs’ names. I also really liked the several different cartoons on climate change, and human pollution. They make the concepts understandable on many levels, without truly making light of a serious situation. This is the perfect gift for the nature-lovers with a sense of humour in your life!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was so glorious! Absolutely charming and based on science so it was informative as well as hilarious and adorable. I like that the focus was on birds but other animals also made appearances. I'm a big bird fan/aspiring birder so this was perfect for me.

The art was also really great. I liked the style, linework, and colors. The animals were drawn very cute but were also done realistically so you could tell what they were. I am going to give the author a follow because I hope there is more to come from this!

Absolutely wonderful. I love the drawings and descriptions.

Remember being a kid in school and thinking, "Ugh, why does learning stuff have to be so boring?" This collection of nature and science comics is exactly what we were wishing for back then. Rosemary Mosco's cartoons take a lighthearted approach at portraying nature and science facts, but also include some pointed commentary about global warming and our effect on the ecosystem. I loved this for me (disclaimer: science nerd) but especially love the idea of giving this to kids I know who are curious about the world and want to learn more about it. This book reminds us just how fun that can be.

Birding Is My Favorite Video Game is a compilation of comics from Bird and moon, and it is all by the brilliant Rosemary Mosco. I’ve been following this comic for a while, and with good reason. They’re fun and colorful (don’t forget cute) and they have just a hint of facts or science included in them all. Through clever little quips and imagery Mosco has managed to make science approachable to a broader audience.

As you can probably tell from the title, most of the comics included in this collection are focused on animals (I had originally thought it’d be solely focused on birds, but that wasn’t the case). Most of the Bird and Moon comics have been specifically about animals, so this wasn’t terribly surprising to me.

Each chapter is broken up to focus on a different animal group, with the first chapter unsurprisingly starting off with birds. The variation and theme throughout is delightful, as is the artwork itself. Some images will be wittier, while others more full of facts. I loved the inconsistency with which this was handled – it removed any expectations one may form for the next page.

I’m a big fan of Mosco’s brighter and more comically inclined animals and fauna. She somehow found a balance being accurate representation and cuteness, which is why her comics always look so good (while still providing actual facts).

If you follow Bird and Moon I’d advise buying a copy of this book. Support the artists you love! It’d also make a cute gift for almost any age range (but especially the budding scientist or animal lover!).

I love how many nonfiction graphic novels have been published lately (enough to create a juvenile graphic novel collection in my library!!). Birding is My Favorite Video Game is one of the most fun titles that I've read recently. The only thing that makes me vaguely concerned about putting it in the juvenile collection is a wine joke...but honestly, the kids won't get it and it's incredibly benign. If you're concerned, it is still a worthy addition to any teen or adult collection!

Are you looking for a quick, fun examination of some aspects of nature in a non-threatening way? Can you get satire and comedy when they are mixed together in a soothing palate of cartoon art? If you answered yes, you are likely to enjoy Birding is My Favorite Video Game. Be sure to pick up a copy to share!

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this title.

On first pass, one might think this title is merely a collection of blips with some science humor, but it is a whole lot more! There is a savvy dose of environmental advocacy, electric illustrations, and cheeky goodness to enjoy.

What a creative way to get people of all ages interested in wildlife! Now I have started following BirdAndMoon.com to watch more of Mosco's comics as well.
BIRDING IS MY FAVORITE VIDEO GAME is a collection of comics from Rosemary Mosco's website, which are illustrations regarding nature across the board: climate change, birds, amphibians, the predatory reactions of non-predatory animals, etc. The list really does go on, and the book really is interesting and entertaining. I think my favorite was the list of nature names ranked by "Good, Bad and Best". This book is great for nature enthusiasts, those you want to educate more on nature, kids who don't really "like to read" but who you are hoping will learn to love it...basically, this book is good for anyone and everyone.

Goodreads Rating: 4 stars

I remember quite a lot of these from the Mosco’s Bird and Moon blog, but that doesn’t mean I got any less enjoyment out of rereading them. I have so many favorite comics, whether due to their information or cuteness (or, in most cases, both) that it would be impossible to call out favorites. But let’s just say if you are an animal and nature lover, there will be at least a few comics in here that are right up your alley. Mosco doesn’t shy away from any taxonomic kingdom, which helps to bring light to the awesomeness of some typically disregarded classes and species. Not only are the comics funny and cute, but they’re quite informative! (I still use the “c is for cat, x is for X-TREEM dogs” general rule whenever I find paw prints.)

Definitely a must if you love nature and animals. It would make an awesome gift book too!

A fun and educational graphic novel about different breeds of wild birds. The illustrations were fun to look at, and the puns made me laugh out loud at times. The author has a knack for making learning fun. I can see this being a fantastic book for children to use in school, as it makes the reader enjoy learning lesser known facts about different species, and their wildlife habits.

I have received a much appreciated digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

My inner zoologist did cartwheels while reading this book - it's a collection of factually accurate and nerdy jokes about wildlife (animals and plants). I'd say it's appropriate for kids ages 12+ because there are some bleeped out references to swearing, but the format is just perfect for capturing your attention for learning that it'd be a shame not to share it. 

It is specific to North American wildlife, but it's still fun even if the animals mentioned aren't indigenous to your corner of the world. I adored the bird call mnemonics, designed to help you recognise and identify bird calls - I didn't even realise that was a thing before I read this and it makes so much sense now! Notably, this book isn't just about birds - which is what I assumed from the title.

A one-panel comic strip—I guess you would need at least two panels to make a strip, but whatever—concerning the animal kingdom. It sneaks up on you, but once you get over the first couple of shocks you realize this is hilarious!
Bird call mnemonics! Cool! But there’s no way I’ll remember them.
That is not the word I would use for the turkey vulture.
The three-way crash on the tree was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.
A new contender for world’s smallest violin!
“Parasitism is the sincerest form of flattery.” Wow.
Snakes fall prey to talking villain syndrome.
“The blood of mighty dinosaurs courses through my veins!”
Best wedding photo ever!
Attenborough gets his table turned!
I can’t believe how many times such easy jokes made me laugh so hard! Even something as simple as Top 10 posts and dating profiles!
“Snakes are typically self-governing.” Wow again! And “Many birds do not recognize its authority.” By the way, the horny one “only thinks of you as a friend.”
What would a turtle butt selfie look like?
Species index at the end, including Reading Attenborough.

Encompassing much more than just birds, this nature comic is sometimes informative, sometimes funny, and sometimes both. I loved the book and will recommend it to everyone I know who: (1) loves science; (2) loves nature; (3) loves comics; (4) loves to laugh. Even though I already knew quite a lot about nature, I still learned a few things. The decision tree about which area of nature to study was both funny and fairly accurate.

As a nature hobbyist and very amateur bird-watcher, I found this utterly hilarious! I started reading it on my lunch break, and food nearly came out my nose. From Animal Dating Profiles ("Sanderling: I like long walks up the beach and down the beach and up the beach and down the beach...") to the Nature Names for Your Baby (definitely naming our next child Bat Falcon!) the humor was only complimented by the adorable illustrations. As an added bonus, I learned so much! (Who's ever heard of the strap-toothed whale??) I was especially pleased to see the included index at the end naming all of the plants and animals that appeared in the book :-)

A completely different way to experience the world of nature and birds, tailored to the visual requirements of the new generation. A good inspiration for your nature-lover kids!

If you loved Gary Larsson's biological jokes on The Far Side this book is for you. I'm going to buy copies for my friends who teach biology and environmental science.

This book is so much fun!! Making science cute and funny is the way this book sneaks right into your life and -begs to be read and re-read. Colorful imagery, interesting facts, and quirky sense of humor make this a great read for bird lovers, children and adults, comix lovers, and pretty much everyone in your life.

This was a surprisingly educational and entertaining read! I loved how different each comic was--both in art style and humour. This is one I heartily recommend to all nature enthusiasts, young or old.

Reviewed posted to Goodreads on 11/6 (link below)

I would have LOVED this book as a kid. Brightly colored cartoons, puns, and animal facts?! It's perfect. And this book isn't just for curious kiddos; adults will appreciate it, too. The jokes are very clever, and the animal and nature facts are fascinating. I especially enjoyed the multiple references to David Attenborough and the quotes from women scientists and naturalists who <i>weren't</i> Jane Goodall. An overall delightful read!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

“Birding is my Favorite Video Game” is a collection of Bird and Moon comics. The comics are funny, educational, and cute. The end of the book has an index so that you can look up which species are found on which pages. This was a quick, fun read.

A great romp of a graphic nonfiction title. Full of information about birds while humorous, too. I am glad to add this to our collection.

This is a cute little collection for biology nerds, wanna be biology nerds, your nerd friends that won't admit they are nerds but love birding, nature, classification, cartoons... That sounds specific but I know at least a couple people who would like this and as a nerd I don't have a ton of friends. Also, cute pictures/graphics a budding nerd would be happy to put up in their room.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy for my unbiased review.