All the Birds in the World

A quizzical kiwi follows readers through Opie’s vibrantly illustrated exploration of bird types and attributes. Fantastical compilations of birds common and rare, depicted with great care and painterly realism, are shown roosting, nesting, wading, and flying, interleaved with spreads showing arrays of eggs, beaks, and bird feet. Opie uses clear text in rhythmic patterns punctuated by line breaks to articulate the essence of birdness—“All birds have feathers./ All birds have wings./ All birds have beaks”—punctuated by Kiwi’s plaintive, “But what about me?” It builds, of course, to a discussion of kiwis: “The kiwi has no tail,/ but has whiskers like a cat.” It’s a captivating display of diversity: “And all the birds/ in this book.../ are part of the same feathered family!/ ‘Even me,’ said Kiwi./ Yes, even Kiwi.” Back matter includes a key identifying every bird that appears in the book and on the cover. Ages 4–8. [em](June) [/em]