Search results for ""author bird"

INCLUDES A READING GUIDEToru Okada's cat has disappeared and this has unsettled his wife, who is herself growing more distant every day. Then there are the increasingly explicit telephone calls he has started receiving. As this compelling story unfolds, the tidy suburban realities of Okada's vague and blameless life, spent cooking, reading, listening to jazz and opera and drinking beer at the kitchen table, are turned inside out, and he embarks on a bizarre journey, guided (however obscurely) by a succession of characters, each with a tale to tell.

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Toru Okada's cat has disappeared.His wife is growing more distant every day.Then there are the increasingly explicit telephone calls he has recently been receiving.As this compelling story unfolds, the tidy suburban realities of Okada's vague and blameless life, spent cooking, reading, listening to jazz and opera and drinking beer at the kitchen table, are turned inside out, and he embarks on a bizarre journey, guided (however obscurely) by a succession of characters, each with a tale to tell.*Murakami's new book Novelist as a Vocation is available now*'Visionary...a bold and generous book' New York Times'Murakami weaves textured layers of reality into a shot-silk garment of deceptive beauty' Independent on Sunday'Deeply philosophical and teasingly perplexing, it is impossible to put down' Daily Telegraph'Mesmerising, surreal, this really is the work of a true original' The Times

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Kansas is a bird-watcher's paradise, with its key location at the hub of the hemisphere's migration corridors and exceptional habitat diversity; 470 avian species have been documented within its borders. From spectacularly beautiful birds like Painted Buntings to elegant migrants like Hudsonian Godwits, birders can find abundant rewards every time they take to the field.""The Guide to Kansas Birds and Birding Hot Spots"" focuses on 295 species that are most likely to be encountered in the state. It helps occasional day-trippers or backyard observers identify and learn about birds that regularly occur in Kansas, with stunning color photos that enable those new to the hobby to identify their discoveries, plus tips on where to search for these species with the greatest likelihood of success.Gress and Janzen have produced an exceptionally well-organized guide that divides birds into 18 groups based on similarity in appearance, habitat, or behavior, following taxonomic order only partially to make identification easier for the beginner. The entry for each bird gives its size, identifying features (including sexual and seasonal distinctions), and where and when it can be found. And each account includes a brilliant color photo of an adult of the species, with additional views of selected birds to illustrate male, female, or juvenile plumages.The authors point out the best birding locations in the state - more than two dozen hot spots of which they have intimate knowledge - that reflect utterly different bird communities thriving only a few hours apart. They also provide a checklist for all state birds, a calendar of Kansas bird activity, and recommendations for binoculars and other field guides.

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“Powerful storytelling and immersive art.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Vibrant writing and magical realism lift this story to one of triumph.” —Publishers Weekly “Nolen's lively prose style recalls the richness of the oral tradition in this tale of triumphant courage and abiding hope.” —The Horn Book “A moving choice for children’s collections.” —Booklist A Parents’ Choice Silver Award Recipient In this inspiring story in the tradition of American black folktales, an enslaved brother and sister are inspired by a majestic and mysterious bird to escape to freedom in this dramatic and unforgettable picture book.There was nothing civil about that war. They should have called it what it was: a big, bad war. Brother and sister Millicent and John are slaves on Simon Plenty’s plantation and have suffered one hurt and heartbreak after another. Their parents had told them old tales of how their ancestors had flown away to freedom just as free and easy as a bird. Millicent and John hold these stories in their hearts long after their parents are gone. “Maybe such a time will come for you,” their parents said. Then one day a mysterious bird appears in their lives. The bird transforms them and gives them the courage to set their plan into motion and escape to freedom.

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Death! The children of the three witches of Bideford who were hanged in 1682 have vowed to kill all those people responsible for their parent’s deaths and their own murder by hanging based on trumped-up charges to cover up the crime of their local judge. However, it is not only those directly responsible that are cursed, but all their descendants as well. For Hugo Bennett and his family, that includes them. If Hugo is to survive then he must destroy not just one adversary but now two, who have taken over the bodies of a young ambitious reporter, Sue Redwell and Hugo’s best friend, Emma Jones. Fortunately, he is aided by his friend; Bird. A strange, magical animal that has been mutated by Kadavera, one of the daughters of the witches in her experiments to exist in daylight so that she can fulfil her deadly vow. Hugo has found a magical amulet that originated from the sword of King Arthur; Excalibur. It was the inheritance of the witches and gave them their power. Its loss makes them even more determined to regain it and its power, irrespective of who or what gets in their way. In this case, Hugo and his family. The witches won’t stop until they’ve fulfilled their vow and time is running out for Hugo if he’s to prevail in his quest and stay alive...

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Internationally celebrated nature writer Candace Savage presents the Corvid family— surprisingly bright, brassy, and colorful birds—in a remarkable collection of full-color, close-up photographs by some of the world’s best wildlife photographers. Birds have long been viewed as the archetypal featherbrains—beautiful but dumb. But according to naturalist Candace Savage, “bird brain,” as a pejorative expression, should be rendered obsolete by new research on the family of corvids: crows and their close relations.The ancients who regarded these remarkable birds as oracles, bringers of wisdom, or agents of vengeance were on the right track, for corvids appear to have powers of abstraction, memory, and creativity that put them on a par with many mammals, even higher primates. Bird Brains presents these bright, brassy, and surprisingly colorful birds in a remarkable collection of full-color, close-up photographs by some two dozen of the world’s best wildlife photographers.Savage’s lively, authoritative text describes the life and behavior of sixteen representative corvid species that inhabit North America and Europe. Drawing on recent research, she describes birds that recognize each other as individuals, call one another by “name,” remember and relocate thousands of hidden food caches, engage in true teamwork and purposeful play, and generally exhibit an extraordinary degree of sophistication.

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Delve into the fascinating origins and contemporary interpretations of Sun Face and Thunderbird/Hopi Bird designs. This thorough study was undertaken to establish the identities of 33 Zuni artists and their interpretations of these traditional designs from the 1940s through the 1960s. Their mosaic stone and shell inlay pins, bracelets, bolo ties, and other ornaments appear in over 190 color photos that display subtle variations indicative of each master’s work and distinctive style. Also introduced are important but forgotten artists, such as Harry Deutsawe and Raphael Homer. It also features two intriguing variations of Sun Face designs, such as Sun Face with Horns and Sun Father and His Twin Sons. Detailed analysis explains the changes and connections among early and recent makers and their individual styles, materials, and designs.

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A story of survival set in 600 AD Ireland; a parable of patriarchy, destruction and religion at sea, by Emma Donoghue, the bestselling author of Room.'Everything a novel should be: compassionate, unpredictable, and questioning. Haven is Donoghue at her strange, unsettling best.' - Maggie O'Farrell, author of HamnetIn seventh-century Ireland, a priest has a dream telling him to leave the sinful world behind. Taking two monks with him, he travels down the Shannon in search of an isolated spot on which to found a new place of worship. Drifting out into the Atlantic, the three men find an impossibly steep, bare island inhabited by tens of thousands of birds, and claim it for God. But in such a place, far from all other humanity, what will survival mean?‘Haven is a beautiful, bold blaze of a book’ – Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry‘Beautiful and timely’ - Sarah Moss, author of Summerwater‘Sinister, heart-wrenching and beautifully written’ – The Times‘Combines pressure-cooker intensity and radical isolation, to stunning effect’ – Margaret Atwood via Twitter‘Book of the Year’ pick in The Irish Times, The Guardian, The Irish Post, RTÉ and The Times.

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A portrait of a species on the brinkThe only bird species that lives exclusively in Florida, the Florida Scrub-Jay was once common across the peninsula. But as development over the last 100 years reduced the habitat on which the bird depends from 39 counties to three, the species became endangered. With a writer's eye and an explorer's spirit, Mark Walters travels the state to report on the natural history and current predicament of Florida's flagship bird.Tracing the millions of years of evolution and migration that led to the development of songbirds and this unique species of jay, Walters describes the Florida bird's long, graceful tail, its hues that blend from one to the next, and its notoriously friendly manner. He then focuses on the massive land-reclamation and canal-building projects of the twentieth century that ate away at the ancient oak scrub heartlands where the bird was abundant, reducing its population by 90 percent.Walters also investigates conservation efforts taking place today. On a series of field excursions, he introduces the people who are leading the charge to save the bird from extinction—those who gather for annual counts of the species in fragmented and overlooked areas of scrub; those who relocate populations of Scrub-Jays out of harm's way; those who survey and purchase land to create wildlife refuges; and those who advocate for the prescribed fires that keep scrub ecosystems inhabitable for the species.A loving portrayal of a very special bird, Florida Scrub-Jay is also a thoughtful reflection on the ethical and emotional weight of protecting a species in an age of catastrophe. Now is the time to act, says Walters, or we will lose the Scrub-Jay forever.

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Only likes quiet time, and they definitely like being alone. All the other birds are too loud and too rough! Only decides to create a peaceful space that's just for them, but when a friend shows up wanting to try some quiet time too, the two birds must figure out a way to be sure no one feels left out.In this companion title to Neither, Airlie Anderson shows readers that it's okay to sometimes be noisy, to sometimes be quiet, to sometimes be together, and to sometimes be alone-as long as no one is made to feel lonely.

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Birds and planes don’t always get along. What can we do to help? Enter the world of forensic ornithology in this investigative non-fiction title created with the Smithsonian Institution and the Division of Birds at the US National Museum of Natural History. Discover the fascinating work of leading ornithologists, "bird detectives” who use science and technology to solve bird strikes and other bird mysteries. They examine evidence from clues like feathers and snarge, pilot slang for what’s left behind after a bird strike, and create solutions to save our feathered friends and protect people and planes in flight. Discover how the study of birds shapes our world, from inspiring aviation and airfield design to increasing safety in the skies. Full of photos, case studies, fun facts and interactive elements, this STEM exploration reveals a fascinating field of science to kids.

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Your Quick Guide to Birds of the Midwest At the cabin, in the garden, or on a hike, keep this tabbed booklet close at hand. Based on Stan Tekiela's best-selling bird field guides and featuring 113 Midwest birds of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, the booklet is organized by color for quick and easy bird identification. Narrow your choices by color, and view detailed photographs of just a few birds at a time. The pocket-sized format is much easier to use than laminated foldouts, and the tear-resistant pages help to make the book durable in the field.

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Explore the wonders of the avian world with this comprehensive and fully illustrated guide to every aspect of bird life. Written by highly regarded ornithologist and natural history expert Jonathan Elphick, and with special photography from many top bird photographers, it is essential reading for all ornithologists and bird watchers.

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When Sarah Bird arrived in Austin in 1973 in pursuit of a boyfriend who was “hotter than lava,” she found an abundance of inspiration for storytelling (her sweetheart left her for Scientology, but she got to taste a morsel of Lynda Bird Johnson’s poorly preserved wedding cake as a temp worker at the LBJ Library). Sarah Bird went on to write ten acclaimed novels and contribute hundreds of articles to publications coast to coast, developing a signature voice that combines laser-sharp insight with irreverent, wickedly funny prose in the tradition of Molly Ivins and Nora EphronNow collecting forty of Bird’s best nonfiction pieces, from publications that range from Texas Monthly to the New York Times and others, Recent Studies Indicate presents some of Bird’s earliest work, including a prescient 1976 profile of a transgender woman, along with recent calls to political action, such as her 2017 speech at a benefit for Annie’s List.Whether Bird is hanging out with socialites and sanitation workers or paying homage to her army-nurse mom, her collection brings a poignant perspective to the experience of being a woman, a feminist, a mother, and a Texan—and a writer with countless, spectacular true tales to tell us.

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Tracey Curtis-Taylor is renowned as one of Britain’s foremost female adventurers – but she had to fight against the odds to make her dreams come true. Paying homage to two historic aviators, Curtis-Taylor made headlines all over the world with three epic flights in a 1942 Boeing Stearman biplane, from Cape Town to Goodwood, Farnborough to Australia, and across the USA. But it didn’t come easy. With searing honesty and breathtaking detail, Bird tells the remarkable personal story of how she overcame extreme adversity to complete her three remarkable journeys. From cheating death twice and saving her crew from a firing squad to overcoming a bitter campaign waged by a male-dominated aviation industry; from her relationship with a mysterious French spy to the shocking secret that drove her family apart. This is the action-packed, inspirational story of a woman who fulfilled her high-flying ambitions, was brought crashing down to earth in more ways than one, yet still survived to tell the tale.

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Identify bird tracks with this pocket-size booklet, organized by track shape for convenience of use. Whether you’re a tracker who studies animal tracks, a bird watcher, a gardener, or simply someone who appreciates nature and all of its curiosities, keep this convenient guide close at hand. Written by tracking expert Jonathan Poppele and designed for ease of use, the booklet is organized by similar track shapes and then by size for quick identification. Narrow your choices by shape, and view just a few bird tracks at a time. The detailed illustrations cover 55 species of birds: backyard birds like the American Goldfinch, raptors like the Bald Eagle, game birds like the Ring-Necked Pheasant, and water birds like the Wood Duck. The illustrations are carefully drawn to resemble the track prints as you might see them in the field. Plus, size information, gait descriptions, and a step-by-step guide to track identification help to ensure positive ID. The tear-resistant pages make the booklet durable. Quick Guide Features: Pocket-size format—easier than laminated foldouts Life-size track illustrations with foldout pages for larger species Tracks and color photos of 55 common and important bird species Helpful information about leg anatomy, gaits, and bird sign Bring this lightweight quick guide along on your next hike, camping trip, or walk in the park, and discover which birds have been there and which birds you still might see.

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A stunning box-set for all bird lovers, containing an illustrated hardback and 36 beautiful prints.

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Loneliness, sexual tension and the need for human kindness pervade these three plays by Tennessee Williams, as their characters rage against personal demons and the modern world. In 'Sweet Bird of Youth', a drifter, Chance Wayne, returns to his home town with an ageing movie actress in search of the girl he loved in his youth, but with terrible, violent results. 'Period of Adjustment' tells the story of two young newlyweds who visit the husband's old army friend on Christmas Eve after unsuccessfully consummating their marriage, and unleash forbidden passion, while in 'The Night of the Iguana' a diverse group of people, including a disturbed ex-minister and a troubled spinster, are thrown together in an isolated Mexican hotel for one eventful night.

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In what the New York Times Book Review calls "a perfect book," a little girl watches birds from her window and dreams she can fly. A board book edition of the critically acclaimed picture book from the award-winning husband-and-wife team of Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek. An ALA Notable Book. Birds "will resonate with the youngest children," said School Library Journal. With a fine eye for detail, a girl observes and describes birds-their sizes, their colors, their shapes, the way they move and appear and disappear, and how they are most like her. She imagines what it would be like if clouds looked like birds, or if she could ask the birds questions. Though she can't fly, the girl can do one thing birds do-she can sing. Vibrant and lively paintings accompany a text pitched precisely to preschoolers in this husband-and-wife collaboration. This board book edition offers a fresh perspective and a new point of view to very young children. Booklist said, "Together, the words and pictures create a book that will enchant preschool audiences again and again."

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What do you know about birds? From the big to the small, the colourful to the camouflaged, the loud to the quiet, all birds are amazing and special. Learn more about our friends in the sky, inside.

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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 new title in the celebrated Nature Storybook series is packed with interesting facts to inspire a love of the natural world.

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Have Fun with These Wild and Wonderful Bird Words! A murder of crows, a charm of goldfinches, a huddle of penguins—groupings of birds are more than just a “flock.” Collective nouns for specific types of birds range from fascinating to funny, and this adorable book is your guide to the best of them. Discover the surprising number of different terms, and learn their true meanings—as well as the history behind them. Did C.S. Lewis really coin the phrase, “a parliament of owls”? Find out in this colorfully designed conversation-starter. The spectacular full-color photography that accompanies each entertaining tidbit further enhances the collectability of An Asylum of Loons. You’re sure to impress your friends and family with all the knowledge in this book!

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Written with passion and understanding, Jail Bird explores how it is possible to reach out to those vilified in the press and by society at large, and to work for the good of all, recognising the humanity in those who commit crimes. Sharon Grenham-Thompson is an Anglican minister and former prison chaplain at Bedford Jail in the UK, where she was responsible for running a large multi-faith team. Jailbird explores her motivation to help those who are the least in society. "Totally gripping and extremely personal, this fluid biography comes gushing down the mountain like a raging floodwater. I literally couldn't put it down. In fact I read the whole thing in one session." Chris Evans - BBC Radio 2 Presenter

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The graphic novel tells the story of Bird's time in L.A. starting in December 1945, where Bird and Dizzy Gillespie brought frenetic sounds of bebop from the East Coast jazz underground to the West Coast for a two-month residency at Billy Berg's Hollywood jazz club. This marked the beginning of a tumultuous two year-stint for Bird bumming around L.A., showing up at jam sessions, crashing on people's couches, causing havoc in public places, and recording some of his most groundbreaking tracks, "A Night in Tunisia" and "Ornithology," as well as "Relaxin' At Camarillo," inspired by the end of his time in SoCal at the Camarillo State Hospital. The novel explores Bird's relationship with the characters and events he encountered during his time in L.A. including recording some of his signature songs with Dial Record founder Ross Russell, a brief but influential stay at the home of famed jazz photographer William Claxton, a party for the ages at the ranch home of artist Jirayr Zorthian, and others who found themselves in the orbit of the jazz genius. Chasin' the Bird is named for Charlie Parker's 1947 standard, and adapts one of the sunnier, but darker chapters in the life of Bird, beautifully told by Dave Chisholm The book will include an exclusive flexi disc record featuring a recording from Parker's time in Los Angeles. The deluxe limited edition will include a vinyl 45 with two tracks to be announced ahead of release. In conjunction with the graphic novel, Verve Records/UMe are currently working on a new album spanning Bird's L.A. period that will be released in September as well.

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The British Museum’s vast collections include wonderful images of birds from all over the world. Some are primarily decorative, whereas Thomas Bewick and the Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro chose to show birds in realistic detail, going about their daily lives. Other artists concentrate on scientific accuracy. The endless variety of birds, their freedom of sky, land and water, and especially their song have also inspired writers through the ages. Each striking image in this beautiful anthology is matched with a poem about the same species. Some were composed by our best-loved writers – including Shakespeare, Chaucer and Tennyson – and others have been selected from less familiar or even anonymous voices around the world. Now in a fresh new paperback format, this is an irresistible gift for anyone who loves birds.

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OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES OF APPLE TREE YARD SOLD'Psychologically acute. Terrific.' Daily Mail'A page-turning read. Kept me reading well past bedtime!' VAL McDERMID 'Pacey and propulsive.' Guardian'A rare combination of elegance and unbelievable tension . . . Utterly brilliant.' Joanna Cannon'Gripping.' Marie ClaireThe latest from the Number One Sunday Times Bestselling author Louise DoughtyBird is a woman on the run. One minute, she's in a meeting in her office in Birmingham - the next, she's walking out on her job, her home, her life. It's a day she thought might come, one she's prepared for. But nothing could prepare her for what will happen next. As Bird tries to work out who exactly is on her trail, she must also decide who - if anyone - she can trust. Is her greatest fear that she will be hunted down, or that she will never be found?Readers are gripped by A Bird in Winter:***** 'Bird is a character who will stay with me for a long time.''***** As good as Apple Tree Yard, it was impossible to put this book down.'***** 'Cleverly plotted and full of thought provoking situations and twists.'***** 'If you like strong female leads that aren't perfect, then you will devour this.'***** 'A beautiful, intricately plotted, and intriguing narrative.'

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Joel Vance, a widely published sports writer, is known for the tremendous sense of humor he brings to his writing. Tail I Lose: Coping With Bird Dogs entertainingly describes the unique love and bonding the working dog and trainer develop—and the crazy, demented lengths to which this bond will take them!

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Helen Papanikolas has been honored frequently for her work in ethnic and labor history. Among her many publications are Toil and Rage in a New Land: The Greek Immigrants in Utah, Peoples of Utah (ed.), and her parents' own story of migration, Emily-George. With Small Bird, Tell Me, she joins a long and ancient tradition of Greek story-tellers whose art informs and enriches our lives.

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A beautifully illustrated picture book introducing young children to the concept of forces.Bird is building her nest. She pushes and pulls twigs into place until she's made a cosy cup, ready and waiting ... can you guess what for? This beautiful picture book is the perfect introduction to forces and the concept of pushing and pulling, and is the third in the new Science Story Book series from Walker Books. Bird Builds a Nest is illustrated by up-and-coming talent Richard Jones and written by author Martin Jenkins, the award-winning author of Can We Save the Tiger? and Ape.

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