I Found a Dead Bird: The Kids' Guide to the Cycle of Life and Death

By Jan Thornhill
Maple Tree Press, 2006
Ages 8+
5/5

In simple, factual language, Thornhill's book explains what death is and why it is a necessary part of life. Thornhill describes what happens to bodies after they die and talks about different kinds of death, including when people kill animals for food, when people die in accidents, and when people kill other people. Although death can be a scary and emotional topic, Thornhill's calm, matter-of-fact tone allows readers to learn about death without making their curiosity seem morbid or inappropriate.

The creative layout and bright colours of the book are extremely attractive and draw the eye across each page. The text has been divided into smaller sections and placed in boxes, which makes it easier to read. Most of the pictures in this book are actually photographs. In fact, some of these pictures may be considered too intense by parents: for example, the stages of decomposition as illustrated by a decaying pig carcass, the child afflicted by smallpox, or the Tollund Man. One of the major strengths of this book is that it is constructed using the same template as more complex research materials, allowing children to gain experience in using things like tables of contents, headings, and indexes.

While not suitable for younger children, this book truly deserves the many awards and accolades it has received.