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The Dawn Chorus

Protecting Birdsong Around the World

Illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey
Hardcover
$19.99 US
8-1/2"W x 11"H | 20 oz | 20 per carton
On sale Feb 16, 2027 | 40 Pages | 9780823460366
Age 6-9 years | Grades 1-4

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Travel the globe to discover 15 incredible birds and 15 conservation efforts to protect their beautiful songs in this nonfiction picture book.

Every spring, as the weather warms, birds begin to sing in the early morning-- the Dawn Chorus! This visually stunning book profiles birds found across 6 continents, and successful efforts to protect nature's greatest symphony. From fences that protect the ’I’iwi in the rainforest to Warblers in the pine barrens saved by habitat restoration, follow the Dawn Chorus as the sun rises across the world.

Every page brings the birds to life with lyrical text from science writer Susan Wroble and gorgeously textured and richly colored illustrations from Alexandra Finkeldely. Young readers will love singing along with the onomatopoeia of each bird’s song. Supplemental text on each spread explains the threats to these birds, and highlights successful local conservation efforts-- even some by kid activists! This treasure trove of extraordinary birds is perfect for the kid who loves spotting wildlife on nature walks.

In the back, find resources for kids to learn what they can do to help protect their local birds. Additional information includes more on International Dawn Chorus Day (May 4th), the importance of biodiversity, an author’s note, and online resources.

Books for a Better Earth are designed to inspire children to become active, knowledgeable participants in caring for the planet they live on.

Birds highlighted include: Micronesian Imperial Pigeon, Ko’Ko Bird, Red-crowned Crane, Beijing Swift, Indian House Sparrow, Whooper Swan, Common Nightingale,  Great Bittern, Azores Bullfinch, Eastern Bluebird, Kirtland’s Warbler, Northern Scarlet Macaw, Sage Grouse, Tricolored Blackbird, ’I’iwi.

Showcases conservation efforts across the globe, including those in: Micronesia, Guam, Japan, China, Korea, Russia, India, Finland, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, United States, and Mexico.
Susan Wroble is a nonfiction writer with degrees in electrical engineering and foreign affairs. Her writing for children has been published by Heinemann, Focus Readers, Brightpoint Press, and Muse magazine. She reviews bird books for children at 10000birds.com and blogs about the craft of writing at InTheWritersWeb.com . Susan has also written for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Canine Companions, and the Denver Rose Society, and the online Colorado Encyclopedia about Suffragists and sports heroes. She served as Co-Regional Advisor for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the SCBWI for several years and is a long-time member of the Story Spinners critique group. When Susan is not writing, you can find her in her  garden listening to the birds, or working at Colorado Children’s Hospital with her family’s therapy dogs.

Alexandra Finkeldey (pronounced “fing-cull-die”) is a Canadian illustrator based in Kingston, Canada. She’s had the pleasure of illustrating Gather Grateful by Megan Litwan (Candlewick Press, 2025), On a Mushroom Day by Chris Baker (Tundra Books, 2024), A Horse Called Now by Ruth Doyle (Nosy Crow, 2024), Saving the Spotted Owl by Nicola Jones (Kids Can Press, 2023), When the Storks Came Home by Isabella Tree (Ivy Kids, 2022) True Stories of Animal Heroes: Talala by Vita Murrow (Frances Lincoln, 2021). Alex is an avid reader of non-fiction books, mostly about ecology and our relationship to the natural world. She loves taking photos, foraging for mushrooms, attending concerts, cooking, playing video games, experimenting with textiles, and playing the piano.

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About

Travel the globe to discover 15 incredible birds and 15 conservation efforts to protect their beautiful songs in this nonfiction picture book.

Every spring, as the weather warms, birds begin to sing in the early morning-- the Dawn Chorus! This visually stunning book profiles birds found across 6 continents, and successful efforts to protect nature's greatest symphony. From fences that protect the ’I’iwi in the rainforest to Warblers in the pine barrens saved by habitat restoration, follow the Dawn Chorus as the sun rises across the world.

Every page brings the birds to life with lyrical text from science writer Susan Wroble and gorgeously textured and richly colored illustrations from Alexandra Finkeldely. Young readers will love singing along with the onomatopoeia of each bird’s song. Supplemental text on each spread explains the threats to these birds, and highlights successful local conservation efforts-- even some by kid activists! This treasure trove of extraordinary birds is perfect for the kid who loves spotting wildlife on nature walks.

In the back, find resources for kids to learn what they can do to help protect their local birds. Additional information includes more on International Dawn Chorus Day (May 4th), the importance of biodiversity, an author’s note, and online resources.

Books for a Better Earth are designed to inspire children to become active, knowledgeable participants in caring for the planet they live on.

Birds highlighted include: Micronesian Imperial Pigeon, Ko’Ko Bird, Red-crowned Crane, Beijing Swift, Indian House Sparrow, Whooper Swan, Common Nightingale,  Great Bittern, Azores Bullfinch, Eastern Bluebird, Kirtland’s Warbler, Northern Scarlet Macaw, Sage Grouse, Tricolored Blackbird, ’I’iwi.

Showcases conservation efforts across the globe, including those in: Micronesia, Guam, Japan, China, Korea, Russia, India, Finland, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, United States, and Mexico.

Author

Susan Wroble is a nonfiction writer with degrees in electrical engineering and foreign affairs. Her writing for children has been published by Heinemann, Focus Readers, Brightpoint Press, and Muse magazine. She reviews bird books for children at 10000birds.com and blogs about the craft of writing at InTheWritersWeb.com . Susan has also written for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Canine Companions, and the Denver Rose Society, and the online Colorado Encyclopedia about Suffragists and sports heroes. She served as Co-Regional Advisor for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the SCBWI for several years and is a long-time member of the Story Spinners critique group. When Susan is not writing, you can find her in her  garden listening to the birds, or working at Colorado Children’s Hospital with her family’s therapy dogs.

Alexandra Finkeldey (pronounced “fing-cull-die”) is a Canadian illustrator based in Kingston, Canada. She’s had the pleasure of illustrating Gather Grateful by Megan Litwan (Candlewick Press, 2025), On a Mushroom Day by Chris Baker (Tundra Books, 2024), A Horse Called Now by Ruth Doyle (Nosy Crow, 2024), Saving the Spotted Owl by Nicola Jones (Kids Can Press, 2023), When the Storks Came Home by Isabella Tree (Ivy Kids, 2022) True Stories of Animal Heroes: Talala by Vita Murrow (Frances Lincoln, 2021). Alex is an avid reader of non-fiction books, mostly about ecology and our relationship to the natural world. She loves taking photos, foraging for mushrooms, attending concerts, cooking, playing video games, experimenting with textiles, and playing the piano.