The Magpies Nest

A story, based on English folklore, explains why each bird builds its nest in a different way.

From crowded train stations to quiet woods and from city centres to our own back gardens, birds remind us that nature is everywhere. But do you know which is the king of the birds? Has anyone ever told you how the brave swallow got its forked tail? And what of the owl, who was really a baker's daughter? Take a look inside The Magpie's Nest, where a hoard of stories, riddles and rhymes is waiting for you. Suitable for all ages and charmingly illustrated by Lakeland artist Becca Hall, this is an essential collection of stories for all who love the natural world.

In a clever retelling of an Old English folk tale, Magpie patiently explains to the other birds how to build a magnificent nest, but most fly off without listening to all the directions which is why, to this day, birds' nests come in all different shapes and sizes. Simultaneous.

"In this elegant narrative, celebrated naturalist Ted Floyd guides you through a year of becoming a better birder. Choosing 200 top avian species to teach key lessons, Floyd introduces a new, holistic approach to bird watching and shows how to use the tools of the 21st century to appreciate the natural world we inhabit together whether city, country or suburbs." -- From book jacket.

Stories come from around the world, but they grow from the very earth upon which they are first told. Michael J. Caduto invites readers to listen while the Earth tells these stories through his lyrical retellings of tales such as "Hare Rescues the Sun" and "The Coming of Fire."

Because none of the birds stays to the end of the magpie's nest-building lesson, each leaves with a different idea of how to build a nest.