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We Are Starlings

Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration

Author Robert Furrow, Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrated by Marc Martin
Ebook
RH Childrens Books | Random House Studio
On sale May 09, 2023 | 40 Pages | 9780593381663
Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD430L | Fountas & Pinnell P
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A NEW YORK TIMES/NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BOOK • A stunning picture book for young nature lovers about starlings and the fascinating phenomenon of murmurations. Illustrated by the award-winning artist Marc Martin, this book about the natural world vividly explores how such an enigma is even possible.

Sweeping, diving, twisting, turning. To look up at a murmuration of starlings is an experience like no other. Hundreds, thousands, and sometimes millions of starlings fly together as one flock. The group ripples, whirls, and waves as each bird stays close to its neighbors in a harmonious synchronicity of movement. 

The story is told from the point of view of the flock, which gives the reader an inside look at what is happening, and the breathtaking illustrations perfectly capture the ebb and flow of a murmuration. Young readers will witness and fully appreciate the extraordinary communication and collaboration abilities of these birds and may be able to apply these lessons to their own lives.
Robert Furrow lives to experience, teach, and write about the natural wonders of our world (especially birds). He grew up exploring the woods of Pennsylvania, but he now lives in California's Central Valley, where he is an assistant professor of teaching in wildlife, fish, and conservation biology at the University of California at Davis and conducts research. Here his winters are full of swirling, squealing flocks of starlings. As an educator, he teaches students about California's natural history, and at home he gardens with his wife and daughter to create a yard humming with native bees, butterflies, and birds. His passion for birding extends beyond the home, as he leads local bird-watching walks for the community. View titles by Robert Furrow
Donna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and young adult fiction. Some of her work includes Treasury of Greek Mythology, Stones in Water, Treasury of Norse Mythology, and Daughter of Venice. She has five children and eight grandchildren. She dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist. She loves to garden, bake bread, dance, and make pottery. View titles by Donna Jo Napoli
Marc Martin is an artist, illustrator, and author. He has written and illustrated internationally award-winning books, including A Forest, Everything & Everywhere, and A River, which was named a Best Illustrated Picture Book by the New York Times. He lives in Melbourne, Australia. View titles by Marc Martin
★ "This book answers so many questions about the formations starlings create against the sky without taking away the wonder. It’s stunning." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Starlings fill and overflow the pages, swooping in gorgeous waves across the double-page spreads." —The Horn Book, starred review

★ "Voicing a collective identity through the first-person plural “we,” starlings perform a fractal air ballet in this spare look at the species’ movements." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A good introduction to starling murmurations." —Kirkus Reviews

"There is an exquisite sense of movement and scale as the dazzling murmurations seem to dance across the spreads." —Booklist

"A wonder to behold." —The Bulletin

About

A NEW YORK TIMES/NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BOOK • A stunning picture book for young nature lovers about starlings and the fascinating phenomenon of murmurations. Illustrated by the award-winning artist Marc Martin, this book about the natural world vividly explores how such an enigma is even possible.

Sweeping, diving, twisting, turning. To look up at a murmuration of starlings is an experience like no other. Hundreds, thousands, and sometimes millions of starlings fly together as one flock. The group ripples, whirls, and waves as each bird stays close to its neighbors in a harmonious synchronicity of movement. 

The story is told from the point of view of the flock, which gives the reader an inside look at what is happening, and the breathtaking illustrations perfectly capture the ebb and flow of a murmuration. Young readers will witness and fully appreciate the extraordinary communication and collaboration abilities of these birds and may be able to apply these lessons to their own lives.

Author

Robert Furrow lives to experience, teach, and write about the natural wonders of our world (especially birds). He grew up exploring the woods of Pennsylvania, but he now lives in California's Central Valley, where he is an assistant professor of teaching in wildlife, fish, and conservation biology at the University of California at Davis and conducts research. Here his winters are full of swirling, squealing flocks of starlings. As an educator, he teaches students about California's natural history, and at home he gardens with his wife and daughter to create a yard humming with native bees, butterflies, and birds. His passion for birding extends beyond the home, as he leads local bird-watching walks for the community. View titles by Robert Furrow
Donna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and young adult fiction. Some of her work includes Treasury of Greek Mythology, Stones in Water, Treasury of Norse Mythology, and Daughter of Venice. She has five children and eight grandchildren. She dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist. She loves to garden, bake bread, dance, and make pottery. View titles by Donna Jo Napoli
Marc Martin is an artist, illustrator, and author. He has written and illustrated internationally award-winning books, including A Forest, Everything & Everywhere, and A River, which was named a Best Illustrated Picture Book by the New York Times. He lives in Melbourne, Australia. View titles by Marc Martin

Praise

★ "This book answers so many questions about the formations starlings create against the sky without taking away the wonder. It’s stunning." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Starlings fill and overflow the pages, swooping in gorgeous waves across the double-page spreads." —The Horn Book, starred review

★ "Voicing a collective identity through the first-person plural “we,” starlings perform a fractal air ballet in this spare look at the species’ movements." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A good introduction to starling murmurations." —Kirkus Reviews

"There is an exquisite sense of movement and scale as the dazzling murmurations seem to dance across the spreads." —Booklist

"A wonder to behold." —The Bulletin

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