What Makes a Bird?

Ages 5 to 8

A whimsical, inquiry-based meditation on why a bird is a bird In this evocative picture book, a child wanders through nature with one question: what makes a bird a bird? Is it feathers? What about a beak? Could it be wings? With each possible answer, more questions arise. If laying eggs makes a bird a bird, what about turtles, snakes, or fish? If flying is the thing, are penguins still birds? Ultimately, the narrator concludes that a bird is a bird, with or without feathers, beaks, or the ability to fly! Accompanied by gorgeous illustrations and subtle STEM content, this thoughtful picture book invites readers to think about what makes us human and how we categorize and identify the world around us.

About the Author

MEGAN POMPER grew up on the west and east coast of Canada and now resides in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia with her family. She has been an elementary school teacher since 2011 and earned her Master’s of Education in 2017. Megan is passionate about writing stories that make children feel intelligent, empowered, and happy

MAIA HOEKSTRA moved from rural town of Dunnville, Ontario to Toronto in 2012 to study illustration at OCAD University. She resides in the city’s west end with their cat Magnus. From a very young age, creating art was actively apart of their life. Maia has always felt a profound fascination with biodiversity and fantasy.