Birds of a Feather: Bowerbirds and Me

Description: Author-illustrator Susan L. Roth compares her collage artwork to the bower building behavior of the male bowerbird.

Review Quotes: ★ "Blending memoir and nonfiction with deep ruminations on what constitutes an artist, Roth presents parallels between her life as an illustrator and the life of an Australian bowerbird. . . . introspective readers will be satisfied by the reflective nature of the text and the behind-the-scenes look at dual artistic processes. Roth persuasively argues that "all artists...seek praise," and this ambitious hybrid demands to be seen." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ "Part picture-book memoir and part informational text, this fanciful ode to the creative process and the colorful courtship practices of bowerbirds will delight budding artists and bird-lovers alike. . . . The author-illustrator dives deep into how and why she makes her crafting decisions, presenting the artist's process as a fluid endeavor, equal parts cerebral and mechanical. The jewel-toned and textured collage illustrations, filled with paper cuttings as well as found objects, further demonstrate the complexity and ingenuity that each masterpiece entails. Roth and a feathered friend are featured side by side throughout the vibrant pages, and readers will want to jump in alongside them."--Booklist, Starred Review

"There's plenty of meta fun here. . . . Nature lovers and bud-ding artists are sure to be inspired."--The Horn Book

"In this cheerfully offbeat tale, Roth compares her work as a collage artist to the magpie creativity of male bowerbirds, [and] gives young readers an honest look at the creative process that slyly undermines the notion that vaunted human activities are unique. Rich cut-paper collages studded with gems, sparkly pipe cleaners, feathers, and paper ephemera depict artist and bird at work."--Publishers Weekly

★"Roth's writing is simple, direct, and inspirational. . . . The book's collages fly off the pages with color and energy, and the strands of Roth's artfully disheveled hair even resemble feathers. . . . This vibrant book will work well as a read-aloud in a group setting and as a springboard/introduction for creative-thinking and creative-art sessions."--School Library Journal, Starred Review

"The well-known picture-book author and artist takes a quirky look at her own work and some natural history as she compares her collage creating to the male bowerbird's construction of elaborate bowers. . . . Budding artists may be inspired by the inviting maker scenes, while young naturalists will want to hear more about these and other artistic animal creations."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books