The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton W. Burgess has been popular among homeschoolers for decades, especially with those using a Charlotte Mason approach. Detailed information about birds and nature is couched within delightful stories for children ages five through ten. Burgess’ book is in print in several versions and is also available in the public domain. The stories include detailed descriptions of birds, but some editions have no illustrations, some have black-and-white illustrations, and a few have those same illustrations with color. None of them have as many illustrations as this new version with entirely new illustrations created by Rebecca Ellis with AI. These lovely, detailed images appear on almost every page of this large, hardcover book. However, the text remains the main event in this version, and there is much more text in relation to the illustrations than we find in typical picture books for young children.
While there are 45 stories in this 185-page book, they have a common narrative thread and should be read in order. In the first story, we meet our two main characters, Peter Rabbit and Jenny Wren. Peter Rabbit in these stories is not the same mischievous bunny who wears cute clothes in Beatrix Potter’s stories but is more like an innocent child bumbling his way through the woods and areas near Farmer Brown’s farm. Farmer Brown and his son—helpful and kind to wildlife—are the opposite of Beatrix Potter’s grumpy Mr. McGregor who often chases Peter Rabbit. However, the Browns' cat Black Pussy is sometimes the nemesis of the birds, so there is some peril.
Gossipy Jenny Wren seems to know everything about all the creatures living in the area. This excerpt from Chapter XXVIII, “Peter Sees Rosebreast and Finds Redcoat,” is typical.
"Who's that?" Peter Rabbit pricked up his long ears and stared up at the tops of the trees of the Old Orchard. Instantly Jenny Wren popped her head out of her doorway. She cocked her head on one side to listen, then looked down at Peter, and her sharp little eyes snapped.
"I don't hear any strange voice," said she. "The way you are staring, Peter Rabbit, one would think that you had really heard something new and worthwhile."
Just then there were two or three rather sharp, squeaky notes from the top of one of the trees. "There!" cried Peter. "There! Didn't you hear that, Jenny Wren?"
"For goodness' sake, Peter Rabbit, you don't mean to say you don't know whose voice that is," she cried. "That's Rosebreast. He and Mrs. Rosebreast have been here for quite a little while. I didn't suppose there was anyone who didn't know those sharp, squeaky voices. They rather get on my nerves. What anybody wants to squeak like that for when they can sing as Rosebreast can, is more than I can understand."
All of the creatures in the stories talk and interact somewhat like humans, and stories are based upon their cooperation, clashes, and life challenges. The other stories introduce children to about 100 different types of birds. Some are found across North America, but some are identified as “Eastern” or “Northern.” Children can learn to identify the various birds, their habitats, their diets, their songs, and ways they interact with other wildlife. For instance, the second story tells of Jenny Wren and her husband Mr. Wren who have just returned from their yearly migration to find their home in the hole of an old apple tree occupied by Bully the English Sparrow and his family. Their heated argument is interrupted by the appearance of Black Pussy, their common enemy. After uniting to chase off the cat, the triumphant birds resolve their argument peacefully.
Stories such as this one often include gems of wisdom, such as “Calling another bad names never hurts him. Brave deeds and not brave words are what count” (p. 6). The book has other uplifting and character-building elements, but it is not specifically a Christian book, and I must point out that it has one reference to Old Mother Nature rather than God as creator. Still, it should be a book that all families can enjoy together.
Summary
The Burgess Bird Book for Children is a great example of what Charlotte Mason calls a living book. The stories captivate children, the illustrations help children to picture what the birds look like, and learning happens effortlessly.