Categories: Books

Super Books About Robins for Pre-K Students

Are robins on your list of lesson plan topics this year? Do you need a handful of books about the bird to supplement the children’s studies? If so, you may want to think about picking up one of the following:

“The Robins in Your Backyard”

In my opinion, reading Nancy Carol Willis’ book “The Robins in Your Backyard” aloud would be a great way to start a lesson plan. The book’s storyline touches on issues related to the bird’s migration, nesting habits and physical characteristics. It contains attractive illustrations too.

You may want to consider pairing it with the section on robins found within Mel Boring’s book “Birds, Nests and Eggs” and Roma Gans’ tome “How Do Birds Find Their Way.” Each one contains details about the bird that could be used to help keep the introductory conversation going.

“About Birds: A Guide for Children”

Cathryn Sill’s book “About Birds: A Guide for Children” would make a good initial read too. Just keep in mind that it covers more than just robins. Because it focuses on other birds as well, you may want to read it in conjunction with Eileen Spinelli’s book “Feathers: Poems About Birds.” The way that Spinelli’s book is designed, you could feasibly read the poem about robins and the save the rest for later.

“How Robin Saved Spring”

Even though it’s a fanciful story, Debbie Ouellet’s book “How Robin Saved Spring” has a modicum of classroom value too. Its value rests with the author’s references to the changing of the seasons and the robin’s longstanding association with one of them.

For a bit of cultural diversity, you may want to consider reading it in conjunction with the Sechelt Nation’s book “How the Robin Got Its Red Breast: A Legend of the Sechelt People.” It would also work well with Howard Goldsmith’s book “Late Little Robin.

“Robins: Songbirds of Spring”

Mia Posada’s “Robins: Songbirds of Spring” is another book that I would suggest reading. It contains entertaining illustrations and bare bones information about the birds that’s suitable for young students. Older students may appreciate the additional information located at the back of the book. I should also mention that it would pair well with Linda Doty’s “In Search of Robin” and Anne Rockwell’s book “My Spring Robin.”

“Round Robin”

Lastly, if you can manage to locate a copy, Jack Kent’s book “Round Robin” would be perfect to read in conjunction with Robin Nelson’s book “Migration.” Kent’s imaginative storyline focuses on a robin that fails to properly prepare for his annual migration. Oftentimes, the best place to obtain a copy of the book is a major library with a large children’s section. Nelson’s book, on the other hand, is fairly easy to find. It contains facts and photos about various animals that migrate. Thus, it could be used to balance out Kent’s fanciful treatment of the subject.

Source: Personal Experience