A new activity book that will be launched at a festival today promises to help children observe birds and their habitats with a keen eye, even in their own backyard An im- peck- able guide dalreen ramos dalreen. ramos@ mid- day. com ON a Monday morning, you hear some chirping. So, you step out of your home, gaze at the sky and look at a pair of majestic wings go by. Itu2019s perhaps, a scene straight out of a childrenu2019s book or a vacation. Because truth be told, most of us would rather take a minute to hit the like button on pictures of birds on Instagram than spend time observing them. Thatu2019s a habit Birds in Your Backyard and Beyond ( Red Panda, Westland), hopes to change.
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The book u201c about our fine feathered friends, who help make our Earth, one big, chirpy nest,u201d launches today as part of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. Even though the content extends to 100 pages, it is comprehensive u2014 the topics range from the origin and features of birds, birdwatching and its dos and donu2019ts, bird behaviour and habitats. It includes activity sheets where kids can fill in details that reflect their learning progress.
We started a year ago by chalking out contents, starting with information that is easy to digest and moving on to the serious stuff,u201d Nainy states.
Singh explains, u201c Thatu2019s why we have the character of Binee the bird nerd to take readers on this birding journey. We didnu2019t want too keep it textbook- ish and too technical.u201d Singh also adds that the fact that the title comes fully- illustrated is a big deal considering books on this subject usually comprise photographs. The challenge for Mukherjee, the artist, was to mimic reality while still maintaining a distinctive illustrative style. u201c The goal was that after a reader is done with the book, they should be able to recognise the avian life that they come across. And for context, I also had to get the habitat right,u201d he says.
The book is pegged around WWF Indiau2019s Nature Explorers programme that strives to build a network of bird enthusiasts in the age group of seven to 14 years. u201c We want the kids to become cool conservationists.
And I say u2018 coolu2019 because with global warming, thereu2019s too much heat all around us,u201d Srikanth quips. At the launch, the 27- year- old senior programming officer at the conservation organisation will demonstrate how to identify birds through their call. And while talking about observation, he says, itu2019s also time for adults to learn from children.
u201c You canu2019t observe nature if you donu2019t have fun like a child when youu2019re at it.u201d ON Today, 5 pm to 8 pm AT Kitab Khana, Somaiya Bhavan, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort.
EMAIL tamrita@ amazon. com ( to RSVP) ( From left) Baya weaver and its nest; Indian robin; Indian roller, the great Indian hornbill, spot- billed duck, roseringed parakeet, Indian paradise flycatcher, common myna and brown pelican Binee the Bird Nerd Kaustubh Srikanth; Aniruddha Mukherjee books Mamta Nainy and Arthy Muthanna Singh
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