Review: Nature Squad-Bluebird Finds A Home by Ryan Jacobson

The Nature Squad’s purpose is to save the planet, one adventure at a time.  In Bluebird Finds a Home , the squad is out to help a bluebird, Skylar, whose tree home has been leveled by workers set out to remove dead trees from the forest. B.B., a helpful and always-hungry black bear points out these dead trees to the workers, who in return give him scraps of food. He’s a little torn about the whole thing…if they stop trees from being removed who will bring him human food?

Ultimately, B.B. learns the results of his actions; dozens of animals that nest in dead trees are losing their homes.  So, B.B., and the rest of the Nature Squad go on a hunt to help Skylar find a new home. 

They start with the nest of a wood duck.  That goes well until the following day when the Woodra, the wood duck mother, pushes Skylar & her hatchlings out of the nest.  Ducklings are ready to jump out a day after hatching & so should Skylar!

B.B. then takes Skylar to nest of a blue-jay family.  That lasts only a few minutes; Skylar can’t stand the sound of the blue jay’s singing.

Skylar then takes him to Sheldon…a turtle…and suggests that they share a shell.  Unfortunately, it was a little crowded (and smelled liked lily pads) so that idea didn’t work either.

B.B. rounds up the rest of the Nature Squad and they all build nest boxes (little homes for birds) to hang in the few remaining dead trees in the forest. Skylar finally finds a home, along with other animals displaced by the workers’ actions!

Bluebird Finds a Home is yet another wonderful book to read as part of your Earth day celebrations, or any other day as well.  The illustrations, by Joel Seibel (Emmy-winning animator of ”Pinky and the Brain,” ”Scooby-Doo” and ”Smurfs”), are colorful and cheerful.  Who wouldn’t want to learn from the adorable creatures that make up the Nature Squad.

In the back of the book, instructions are provided for how to build a nest box with the help of an adult. Also listed are several conservation tips for children, including recycling, picking up litter, saving water, and conserving energy.

Overall, Bluebird Finds a Home is a delightful book, destined to be enjoyed by any young conservationist! Highly recommended!

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