"Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City"

Janet Schulman's book tells the true story of Pale Male and his mate(s), red-tailed hawks who choose to build their nest on a fancy apartment building in New York. Situated just across the street from the fertile hunting grounds of Central Park (with its ample supply of pigeons and such), the nest is celebrated by city bird-watchers and detested by building residents.  The ensuing bird-related goings-on make an exciting picture book, and young readers have a fine avian protagonist to cheer for. Meilo So's detailed watercolor illustrations bring out the beauty of the birds, the park, and the city itself.

Central Park is actually a birding hotspot, particularly during migration season. That's now! If you're in the area, check the web site of New York City Audubon, and sign up for a morning walk. There's also a city Birdathon on May 10th; several bird-watching pros will provide instruction for beginners. Details at NYCA.

Another touching picture book about New York birds is Mateo Pericoli's True Story of Stellina, about a small finch found by the author-illustrator's wife.

On Mondays children's book author Anastasia Suen rounds up posts on nonfiction books for kids; fly over to her blog Picture Book of the Day for today's edition.

Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City
written by Janet Schulman; illustrated by Meilo So
Knopf, 2008
ISBN-13: 9780375845581
for readers aged 6 to 10

Comments

[your neighborhood librarian]

We were just in NYC this weekend and as the sun came up yesterday we heard an owl hooting in the courtyard of our apartment building. We don't even hear owls where we live, and we're next to a giant park.

[Susan T.]

That's crazy. You must have been so surprised. Once I saw a raccoon in Central Park.