7th June Swift Day

The Swift is a medium-sized aerial bird, which is a superb flyer. Sleeping, eating, bathing and even mating on the wing (while flying), Swifts rarely touch the ground. They are also the fastest birds in level flight, with an impressive top speed of 69mph. Swifts are plain sooty brown, with a white throat, but in flight against the sky they appear black. They have curved wings and a forked tail. Swifts are summer visitors, breeding across the UK, but are most numerous in the south and east. Spending their winters in Africa, Swifts migrate more than 6,000 miles twice a year, stopping off to refuel in places like Portugal and France along the way.

Swifts have red conservation status in the UK. I didn't think that we had swifts in Australia, but we do. Australia is home to three regular swift species:

• Fork-tailed Swift:  A summer migrant that breeds in eastern Asia and spends the warmer months (October to April) scattered across Australia. 

• White-throated Needletail :  This is another non-breeding summer migrant from Asia that favours eastern Australia. 

• Australian Swiftlet: Unlike the migratory swifts, this is a resident species found year-round in the tropical lowlands and gorges of northeast Queensland

The two picture books about swifts are both beautifully illustrated and factual, but they are not Australian or set in Australia.

Super Swifts  by Justin Anderson & Clover Robin

Follow the swifts on their incredible journey north, from the jungles of Africa to their nesting site in Europe. A little bird, small enough to sit in the palm of your hand. Swifts may be small and brown, but they are the champions of the bird world – flying faster, higher and for longer than any other bird! This is one of the wonderful series of Nature Storybooks from Walker Publishers.

Swift: An Epic Story of a Small Bird's Courage by Lorna Hill 

Swift feels safe tucked up in his nest. But when all the other birds fly to a new home on the other side of the world, Swift doesn't want to be left behind. It's a treacherous journey across land and sea and there's a storm coming ... Will Swift find the courage to spread his wings?

.

 

27th April International Crow and Raven Appreciation Day

International Crow and Raven Appreciation Day is celebrated on 27th April. 

Both black birds, crows and ravens are members of the bird family Corvidae - along with magpies and jays. These birds are often targeted as they are believed to be greedy, scavengers or omens of death. They appear in cultural tales all around the world: the raven is often associated with loss and ill omen, and as a talking bird, with prophecy and insight, connecting the physical world with spirits. Yet, it is important to mention that they are very intelligent. Studies have revealed that both ravens and crows are able to use past experience to plan for the future!

In one of my favourite adult books, The Atomic Weight of Love, the female protagonist studies and befriends crows and it was through reading this book that I became interested in learning more about them. Also our school playground has a couple of regulars, big black birds and I'm not sure whether they are crows or ravens, but they are very good at finding food. 

Australia has both native ravens and crows. Australia has five native species of corvids (crow/raven family), including two crow species along with three raven species, which are often difficult to tell apart. They are commonly found in both rural and urban environments, often adapting to city life.

The library has quite a few books that have 'crow' in their title and only two books that have 'raven' in the title and while indigenous authors feature crows in their stories I failed to find any that feature ravens. Nevertheless, there are so may beautiful books that celebrate crows and ravens.

• Clever Crow  by Nina Lawrence and Bronwyn Bancroft

An endearing and witty tale that follows the exploits of a hungry and very clever crow. Crow searches in the bush for food but he can find none. It is only when he comes across people preparing for a ceremony that his luck changes. 

• Wargan the Crow by Cindy and Adam Laws

A Dreamtime story from the Boorooberongal/Darkinjung People. Wargan the crow was a beautiful bird.  He had the most colourful feathers of all the birds and a long colourful tail.  Wargan was a show off and would tease the other birds with his beauty.

• Crow Baby by Helen Milroy

Crow Baby was born with two spirits - one crow, and one human. Spending her time living across two worlds, she is content within her crow clan and her human family. But one day, a time of crisis arrives, and Crow Baby must make a difficult decision in order to save both her families. 

• Cunning Crow  by Gregg Dreise 

Way back, before once-upon-a-time, there was the Dreamtime when all the birds were white. One of those white birds was a crow called Waan. One day a big storm came through and a magnificent rainbow appeared. When the birds passed through the rainbow, one by one, their feathers took on its beautiful colours.

• The Crow and the Waterhole  by Ambelin Kwaymullina

There was once a crow who lived in a tree by a waterhole. Each morning, she stared into the water and saw another crow staring back. Crow thought Crow-in-the-waterhole was the most wonderful bird she had ever seen.

• The Crow's Tale  by Naomi Howarth

In the dark depths of winter, snow is falling and the animals are freezing and famished. Brave Crow sets out on a dangerous journey to find the Sun, and beg for warmth. Will Crow succeed, and what will happen to his colourful rainbow feathers? Inspired by a Lenape Native American myth, this picture book shows how courage and kindness are what really matter.

• Clever Crow  by Chris Butterworth and Olivia Lomenech Gill

Crows may not have flashy feathers, beautiful songs, or fancy flying skills, but if a crow looks at you with its small, round eye, you can be sure that it's thinking, as these birds have very big brains. Did you know that crows will use a stick to poke into a crevice to tease out tasty bugs? Or that they like to play like kids by tumbling down a snowy roof? 

• Six Crows  by Lio Lionni

While a farmer tends his field of wheat, six hungry crows watch and wait in a nearby tree. When the wheat ripens, the farmer builds a scarecrow to frighten them off, but these ingenious crows are not so easily scared. 

• The Crow and the Peacock by Jo Fernihough

Follow one crow's quest to discover the happiest bird in the world. He meets a peacock, bound in a golden cage. Crow is in awe of the creature's magnificent bejewelled tail - and believes this must be the happiest bird of all. But when Crow discovers the peacock's wish to fly free, he realises who was the happiest bird all along.

• The Fox and the Crow by Manasi Subramanian and Culpeo Fox

In this timeless Aesop's fable, a fox and a crow vie for a piece of bread. The crow has it, but can the fox get it? 

• The Cardinal and the Crow  by Michael Moniz

All the birds tease old Crow for his scraggly feathers and harsh call, especially proud Cardinal. But whenCardinal gets into trouble, there is only one creature smart enough to get him out. Will Crow choose to help the boastful bird? Inspired by Aesop's fables, it reminds us all that 'pride and foolishness often go hand in hand.'

• Hello Crow!  by Candace Savage

Inspired by a true story about a real girl and her crow friends.

• Crowbar  by Jean Craighead George and Wendell Minor 

A young boy finds a baby crow abandoned, cold and hungry. He takes him home, hoping to nurse him back to health. His Grandpa disapproves--he thinks that crows are pests and thieves! The boy knows that the crow he names "Crowbar" is capable of learning more than how to eat, caw, and fly. But can he prove it?

• It Wasn't Me ! by Udo Weigelt and Julia Gukova

Ferret's raspberries have been stolen. Who has stolen them? Was it the raven girl Sabine again? Hasty conclusions are proved unfounded, but Sabine was rightfully offended to have been wrongly accused. So, who was it? 

• Raven  by Gerald McDermott

Raven, the trickster, wants to give people the gift of light. But can he find out where Sky Chief keeps it? And if he does, will he be able to escape without being discovered? His dream seems impossible, but if anyone can find a way to bring light to the world, wise and clever Raven can. 

• Raven Child and the Snow Witch by Linda Sunderland and Daniel Egneus

Anya's mother journeys to the glacier to pick the blue gentian flowers that grow there, but this time, she does not return. She has been captured by the Snow-Witch and imprisoned in the ice. Anya and her father set off with the ravens to rescue her. It's a treacherous journey, and there is no knowing what they will find... 

• The White Raven by Kathryn Otoshi (coming in July)

When a raven is born different, it must navigate the fear and loneliness of being cast out—but with a child’s kindness and a resilient spirit, this white raven discovers what it means to be seen, loved, and free. Inspired by real-life ravens with leucism, this story is a beautiful reminder that our differences can become our wings.

When I put out a display this week I will also include these:

 

10th August Skyscraper Appreciation Day

Skyscrapers are buildings where people can live and work. They are found in lots of big cities. Some skyscrapers have amazing views, record-breaking lift rides and even bridges in the sky. Skyscrapers are being built bigger and better every day!

Skyscraper Appreciation Day is held on 10th August, commemorated on the birthday of the architect named William Van Alen, who was the person behind the construction of one of New York City's most iconic landmarks - the Chrysler Building. 

On 3rd September it will be Skyscraper Day, celebrated on this date each year, as this is the anniversary of the birth of Louis H. Sullivan, the American architect who was influential in the world of building tall buildings and was even called the “father of skyscrapers”. Not sure why we need both days when they both appear to celebrate the same thing, the opportunity to learn more about the architects who commit a dream to paper and the construction crews that make it reality. 

The construction of tall buildings has become so commonplace in cities around the globe that the general public typically gives little thought to the visionaries who are responsible for creating a city’s unique skyline. 

Although the United States was the place where the tallest buildings started in cities like Chicago and New York, others around the world have taken up the design and building of these architectural wonders. 

In fact, today’s tallest building in the world, with 163 floors, is called the Burj Khalifa and is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

It is surprising to see how many factual books there are about skyscrapers, ones for all reading abilities.

  

Often a skyscraper is the setting for a story too, so many of them about birds who make their home in a high-rise building.

San Francisco

New York

Brisbane

Melbourne