Take Flight!

Birds live close to us, but also travel far and wide. They are a reminder that we are connected to a much larger world, inspiring us to do what we can, together with our children and grandchildren, to preserve its beauty. We all dream of flying free to see the world and beyond. Many of us have found that freedom through books, and are happiest helping others, especially children, take flight through their imagination.

We highlight 130 wonderful children’s picture books about birds that will be enjoyed for their often humorous and touching reflection of our own lives, gathered under five themes: Birds of a Feather; Flying Against the Odds; On the Wings of Enchantment; Myths, Folklore, Fables; and Transnational (non-fiction and universal themes). This collection features many award-winning books, and authors, illustrators and publishers who are actively involved in AFCC.

We would like to thank the teachers and students from Raffles Institution for their original artwork for the cover and the five themes, and contributing a story about a young boy and his grandfather who explore an island in Singapore while helping a lost hornbill find its way home. We invite you to find the title of this story in the bibliography!

Birds

Download Bibliography* (1.9MB)

* PDF of annotated bibliography published in 2016.

Sub-themes:

Birds

Birds of a Feather

These stories describe birds and other creatures coming together and becoming friends, often embarking on a journey of discovery and learning, mutual trust and understanding.

View Collection
Birds

Flying Against the Odds

Loneliness, grief and death are all touched upon in the books in this section. With determination, the help of friends or family, and sometimes just a little bit of luck, the birds in these stories are able to overcome their situations.

View Collection
Birds

On the Wings of Enchantment

The books in this section contain an element of magic, encompassing stories that tell of the transformation of humans into birds, and others that tell of rebirth and magical discovery.

View Collection
Birds

Bird-themed Myths, Folklore, Fables

These stories often provide creative explanations for why birds behave the way they do. Sometimes they are fanciful tales whose origin is lost in time, but have become an integral part of the storytelling tradition of each culture, often with moral lessons interwoven.

View Collection
Birds

Transnational: Non-fiction & Universal Bird Themes

The gorgeous illustrations and fascinating true stories of birds from around the world as well as inspiring biographies of bird-lovers will engage young readers and expose them to a wide range of experiences.

View Collection