Description

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Birding for everyone, everywhere.

Birding is a joyful, wonder-filled activity that anyone can do. Featuring the skyline and natural spaces of New York City, How to Bird invites children to explore birdwatching, with each page featuring a new birding strategy. A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that seeing and hearing birds makes us happier, and this book shows how everyone, wherever they live, can be a birder.

Birding is a fun and accessible practice for coping with stress, practicing mindfulness, and getting outdoors, and How to Bird shares how to get started and empowers children to find joy in birdwatching.

How to Bird is a culturally relevant, lyrical, succinct, and direct procedural text on birding strategies. Perfect for classroom libraries, this book can be a mentor text for educators teaching procedural writing in kindergarten through third-grade classes.

One of New York Public Library's Best Books for Kids 2023

About the Author

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Rasha Hamid attended New York City public schools before earning a bachelor's degree in Africana Studies and Education at Vassar College, and a master's degree in Special Education at Bank Street College of Education. She has developed her practice in classrooms in East Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Khartoum, and Brooklyn for over twenty years.

Rasha considers herself an educator-activist: someone who works to make the world more just, joyful, equitable, and sustainable through the education of students and teachers. She began creating picture books with her classes to fill the need for books reflecting her students, their experiences, and their passions. She's the author of Kadisa كديسة, which introduces children to Sudan; How to Bird (Free Spirit Publishing, 2023), a joyful exploration and celebration of birding that invites all children to take part; and Hello, Beech Tree! (Free Spirit Publishing, 2024), in which a kindergarten class pays homage to their beloved lost beech tree.

Rasha is proud to be the autistic mom of an autistic young adult. Autism and observing the natural world are two of Rasha's special interests.

Praise For…

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“How to Bird?is a glorious celebration of the uniqueness and majesty of both urban birds and?urban birders alike. A birder, artist, and lifelong educator herself, Hamid has made a bold and beautiful statement about how birding is a joyful pursuit for curious children everywhere, from all walks of life. In richly textured, boldly colored collage, she also reminds the reader that it is the job of all of us to make sure that green spaces are welcoming and equitable for birders of every age, color, gender, ability, and size.?How to Bird?is an absolute must-have, a joyous read for every classroom, home, and public library.”
— Katie Yamasaki, muralist and author/illustrator of several books for children, including Shapes, Lines, and Light, Everything Naomi Loved, and Dad Bakes

“A tantalizing peek into the world of birding. Each colorful page is filled with beautiful birds and adorable kid birders who will inspire readers to grab their binoculars and start birding! Tons of useful tips for the novice birder. A wonderful addition to any school, home, or library bookshelf. Happy Birding!”
— Amina Luqman-Dawson, Newbery Medal Winner and New York Times bestselling author of Freewater

"Highly recommended."

— Children’s Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review

“Readers are invited on a birding adventure in this must-have poetic guide—each step accessible and interactive. Rasha Hamid’s affirming text and vibrant photo collages celebrate the joyful possibilities of birding.”
— Kelsey Sorum, coauthor of The Responsive Writing Teacher, educator

"An inclusive how-to that hails young nature lovers."

— Publishers Weekly