Child's Book of Water Birds

This charming natural-history primer introduces young listeners to the water birds that inhabit ponds, rivers, lakes, and rocky shores. It begins with the elegant swan, graceful in the water but awkward on land, then turns to the nest-building coot and the elusive dabchick, which vanishes beneath the surface whenever danger appears. Each short entry combines simple observations about appearance, habits, nesting, and habitat.

The book also explores the swift, whistling teal, the familiar goose and its place in country life, and the oyster catcher, whose strong bill opens shellfish clinging to rocks. Along the way, listeners encounter details about eggs, feeding times, domestication, migration, and the ways people have made use of birds’ feathers. Written in a clear, informative style, this old-fashioned guide offers an engaging introduction to the variety and behavior of water birds.