The Blue Jays That Grew a Forest

A lyrical flight of surprising facts centered on the blue jay's helpful role in expanding oak tree forests by debut author Lynn Street and illustrator Anne Hunter is flying off bookshelves everywhere from publisher Peachtree.

"Most of us know about the mighty oak tree, and how important oaks are as a keystone species. But we may be less aware of the role that blue jays play in assisting the expansion of oak tree forests. Covering one full year from season to season, we learn about the habits of the blue jays. All summer long they feed on bugs, berries, and seeds. But as autumn approaches, they perch in the canopy waiting for the acorns to ripen. With cold weather coming soon, this blue crew hauls away acorns, each bird taking as many as five per load. They fly over a farm or two and hide the acorns in a sunny open area where they can find them later when other food is scarce. But not all acorns will be eaten. Little do the jays know that the treasures they bury may one day become the beginnings of a new oak forest."

I admit, I've always thought blue jays were kind of bullies of the bird world. But I grew a strong appreciation for their role in Mother Nature from this book. I had no idea that they help build mighty oak tree forests by burying thousands of acorns. I just assumed they ate them right away or collected them and stored them in tree holes or where they nest. Did you know that blue jays have specially developed pouches in their throats that allow them to carry many acorns at a time? Or that scientists believe that blue jays helped rebuild oak forests after the last ice age? Lynn and Anne are the PR representatives blue jays needed! Lynn's lyrical language soars (like "flashes of sapphire in the sun" and "wintry winds whip") and weaves scientific facts seamlessly. A perfect combination of text to Anne's softly feathered pen, ink, and colored pencil art that is so lovely and enchanting. Back matter expands the knowledge of this mutually beneficial relationship. Elementary teachers always need books on the seasons and nonfiction. THE BLUE JAYS THAT BUILT A FOREST provides a clever way to study the seasons by focusing on an entire year's journey of the blue jay. And as a kid who once kept an entire sketchbook on birds, I highly recommend this one for those kids fascinated by birds and birdwatching!

Blue jays! Trumpeter swans! Cardinals! Gather a flock of your family and friends and see who can spot and track birds for a win while you all play Audubon's Bird Bingo Game!

THE BLUE JAYS THAT BUILT A FOREST by Lynn Street and Anne Hunter

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Audubon Bird Bingo Game

Lynn has generously offered to give away a copy of THE BLUE JAYS THAT BUILT A FOREST and a Bird Bingo Game! Please go to my Instagram to enter the giveaway and X (Twitter) for an extra chance at winning this BOOK + GIFT! (U.S. only)

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