The nest that wren built by Randi Sonenshine, illustrated by Anne Hunter

Parrots, hummingbirds, and raptors may be more "exciting," but there's nothing quite like getting to know the simple birds in your backyard. House wrens are a common sight (and sound - they are VERY noisy!) in many yards and this is a sweet introduction to this snazzy little bird.

There is at least one other book of a nesting bird based on "The house that Jack built" but what sets this aside is the focus on a specific bird, a Carolina wren, and the natural, detailed description of their nesting life cycle.

Readers are introduced to the wrens as they build their nest, acquiring twigs, leaves, spiders, and a snakeskin. After the nest is a cozy, safe place, it is guarded by the male while the female lays her eggs. The hatchlings grow as they are fed, then at fourteen days fly from the nest. A curious possum, who has been watching the progress of the family, examines the empty nest in the moonlight.

Back matter includes a glossary defining words such as "nourish" and "rootling" and some facts about wrens and their nests. Anne Hunter is an experienced artist and her illustrations often have a detailed, natural look to them which makes her a good choice to pair with Sonenshine's carefully chosen words. Colored pencil and ink bring out the tiny bars and stripes on the wrens, the delicate lines of a flower, the scales of the snakeskin.

Verdict: A good choice for storytimes, this has an attractive rhythm and a bonus of other animals in the background for kids to identify as they listen to the story. This will also be a great choice for preschool and kindergarten classrooms and for budding naturalists.

ISBN: 9781536201536; Published March 2020 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library