birdwatching book for children

[Ceri]

Hi all, 

my son loves watching the birds at our feeding stations in the garden, and has asked for binoculars and a birdbook for his birthday on Friday. 

Can anyone recommend a book of British birds that would be good for a five year old would-be birdwatcher - so many of them seem to be really large and heavy or small but so hick they are hard to open out.  I would love to find one that was ringbound, or at least easier to keep open at the right page!

Cheers

Ceri

[wardy]

Don't know about book for little ones but you should be able to turn one up on Google (but I expect someone here will know of a good one)

As regards binoculars though I got a fab pair of the RSPB ones for Christmas.  They are just the thing for beginners as they are small enough to put in your pocket but really good quality.  I got them off the internet. They are easy to use as well.  I think they would be really good for a child.  They cost about £70 just under.  They come in a soft pouch.  I thought being so small they wouldn't be very good but I really like them and use them all the time either on walks or looking out the window, or out in the garden or lotty. 

[chriszog]

Hi
   If you log onto the RSPB web site, register your details with them they will send you free of charge a really nice booklet with all the normal birds you see in the garden My 4 1/2 year old daughter loves also to see all the birds and is busy marking them off in the book as she sees them.

Regards
Chriszog

[Tulipa]

When my children were young they had the back of a bird food packet that had all the common garden birds on.  This was so easy as they could glance at it quickly before the bird disappeared.  I think when we did the RSPB survey they had a sheet with all the usual birds on which would be easy to look at.  Dorling Kinderley or Kingfisher make good children's nature books too.

[Ceri]

thank you all - I'll have a look at the rspb as well as the others

I'm too tight to spend £70 on a five year old who'll only drop the binoculars in the mud a lot!!  Jessops have a good pair for £12.99 which are 7 x mag which should be OK

[Marianne]

Hi Ceri,
Someone has already said it but I have the RSPB book which is ideal for both children and adults.  It contains pictures and all you will ever want to know about feeding and caring for birds in your garden!

Happy gardening and birding.