(4) K-3 Illustrated by Maria Luisa Di Gravio. A child romps through the forest during a winter bird count, spotting a nuthatch, chickadee, and more while seeking now-retired-down-South Gramps's favorite: a dove. Amstutz light-handedly weaves ornithology facts throughout the well-paced story. Di Gravio's evocative (if slickly Disney-esque) illustrations are full of footsteps in the blue-gray snow and plenty of delicate birds. Further ornithology information and a bird count checklist are appended.

Reviewer: Erica Wetter