Riki loves birds, and when he spots a pair of bluebirds in his yard, he wants them to stay. With cold weather arriving, Riki knows the birds will need shelter, so he decides to build a special bluebird house in his backyard. As the months and seasons go by, Riki continues to watch and care for the birds. In winter he prepares birdseed snacks, and in spring he offers nest-building materials. Riki’s loving efforts are serenely illustrated with vibrant, uncomplicated gouache paintings accented with color-photo collage pieces. Each spread shows Riki hard at work caring for the birds while his pet dog and cat stay active in the background. This attractively designed, straightforward story is a wonderful introduction to bird-watching for young children. Birdhouse directions and bird food recipes are included. (Ages 4–7)

Riki admires the beautiful birds that visit his yard. So he decides to build his feathered friends a home. Follow along as he measures and saws the wood, then glues, hammers, and paints his birdhouse. When spring comes, bluebirds move in. Soon there are eggs and babies! As the seasons change, the bird-watcher fi nds joy in admiring, helping, and learning about his avian friends. Monica Wellington's bright, beautifully detailed artwork and simple text are the perfect introduction to the fun of backyard bird-watching.