This is nonfiction at its finest. With beautiful, lifelike illustrations, there is little doubt readers would recognize these feathers on a nature walk. Brief, handwritten descriptions of each feathered creature convey the feel of a field journal, personalizing the reading experience and adding depth to each simile that describes a feather's purpose. It took a few years and many drafts before Melissa Stewart "latched onto the idea to compare feathers to common objects in our lives." The result is a tightly knit summary spread by spread that is gentle, informative, and somehow a little more extraordinary. Young naturalists explore sixteen birds in this elegant introduction to the many, remarkable uses of feathers. A concise main text highlights how feathers are not just for flying. More curious readers are invited to dig deeper with informative sidebars that underscore how feathers of all shapes and sizes help birds with warming or cooling, protect them from the sun, help them swim, glide or even dig. With a range of common and exotic species readers will be engaged by both the new and the familiar. Beautiful and delicate watercolor illustrations showcase life-size feathers and compare them to everyday objects. With a scrapbook design, Feathers is part science journal, part read-along nonfiction, making it a wonderful resource for nature studies and a delight for the youngest bird lovers.