A Gentle Feast
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Yellow-throated Vireo
The Yellow-throated Vireo is one of the beautiful singers who also has a beautiful throat. Burgess doesn’t go into any detail about this bird, although Jenny Wren does tell Peter that he is the distinguishable one of the lot. So let’s find out a little more about him. Looking into what Cornell Lab has compiled,…
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Warble, the Warbling Vireo
Have you wondered what warble means? We heard it when we went through the Warblers, which are a family of insect-eating, smaller birds found migrating up and down North America with the changing of seasons. It’s now when we come to Warble that the question pops into my head. To warble is to sing softly…
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Redeye, the Red-eyed Vireo
Who likes to sing as they work? It certainly offers help to our work when we do, a shifting of our perspective as merry hands make light work. Chapter 24 of Thornton W. Burgess’ beloved classic introduces three “Constant Singers.” As Burgess adds about Redeye, “Redeye believes in singing while he works,” said Jenny Wren.…
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Redcoat, the Scarlet Tanager
The Scarlet Tanager is another elusive bird that I have been pleased to see in person while walking in a forest preserve in Northeastern Illinois. Being summertime, it was easier to spot the male because he was bearing his feathers of a red body and black wings. Due to spending some time reading about Scarlet…
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Rosebreast, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Two years ago I was astounded when I looked outside my window and identified the first Rose-breasted Grosbeak to visit our bird feeder. It was early spring and I was enjoying the number of birds migrating through north eastern Illinois. I felt like it was a major triumph to attract a new bird, and one…
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Arctic Hare
Burgess actually refers to the Arctic Hare in his book, “The Burgess Animal Book for Children,” as Snow White. The Arctic Hare is really an incredible animal to survive in such a cold climate. What are some questions that you have about him? Here are some of ours: And the answers: One thing we really…
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Marsh Rabbit
Peter Rabbit is so surprised to hear that any member of his family would be caught swimming in water for the pure joy of it in Burgess’ classic “The Burgess Animal Book for Children.” Do you think it’s true? Here are some questions you might be wondering: They are certainly rabbits that make their habitats…
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Jumper, the Northern Hare
He looks much like Peter Rabbit, the Eastern Cottontail, but there are some big differences between these cousins. What are some questions you have about Northern Hares? Here are some of mine: What did you think? Ready for the answers? Long ears and long legs make a difference, don’t they!? Jackrabbit isn’t solely an interchangeable…
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Starting a Burgess Animal Book Club
It’s always a little easier to enjoy a school book when you have people to enjoy it with, the accountability of schedule, and a way to make deeper connections with the characters through relationship. Find out more about starting your own Burgess Animal Book Club here! The Burgess Animal Book for Children has so many…
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Glory, the Northern Cardinal
One of the most beloved birds, the Northern Cardinal is a bird that can be identified easily by most people. Did you know that it is the state bird for seven states? The states included are Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. Cardinals are a great guest to any backyard because…