The Atlas of Amazing Birds

"Appreciative and informative. Enchanting, indeed. An invitation to a world of ornithological wonders." —Kirkus Reviews

“…a very readable and beautiful book. A charming compendium on the world's birds." —School Library Journal

An illustrated look at the fun and interesting facts and habits of some of the most beautiful, unique, and enchanting birds around the world.

Did you know the bald eagle holds the record for the world’s biggest nest, which weighs more than two tons? Or that when the elf owl gets into any kind of trouble, it plays dead instead of fighting? Or that the Adélie penguin can hold its breath for six minutes and leap up to ten feet in the air?

From colossal condors to polychromatic peacocks, The Atlas of Amazing Birds celebrates winged creatures around the world through joyful watercolor illustrations and well-researched, humorously told tales of their habits and habitats. Some birds migrate thousands of miles, others display showy mating rituals. Some survive in extreme environments, others are fast, brave, or big.

Organized by continent, the book features full color illustrations of each bird, complete with a full description that includes their dimensions and locations by country, along with maps of migratory patterns across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, North America, South America, and Antarctica, where our feathered friends live in all sorts of interesting places--in gardens, amidst waterways, and along byways.

Download a free owl drawing activity sheet

Matt Sewell is an avid ornithologist, and this is his fourth book about birds. He lives in Shrewsbury, England, and is also the author of The Colorful World of Dinosaurs.

Editorial Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

Appreciative and informative. Enchanting, indeed. An invitation to a world of ornithological wonders.

School Library Journal

Tackling an entire class of animals is a daunting task, but this book, neatly organized by continent, rises to the challenge. Each section has a map and a small index of species. There is a short entry with a full-color illustration for each species. Useful for projects, entries include the animals' scientific species name and details such as size, diet, behavior, and how their environment is impacted by humans. Overall, a very readable and beautiful book. A charming compendium on the world's birds.

School Library Connection

Author/illustrator Matt Sewell has created a lovely book for the budding ornithologist. Divided into sections by continent, the volume includes lesser-known bird species. Each entry includes a charming, somewhat cartoon-like watercolor painting of the bird and several informational paragraphs.