Reviews

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         "Making skillful use of trompe l’oeil, Brannen’s delicate, refined watercolors give the project the feel of a birder's scrapbook, as though the feathers, “photographs,” informational notes, and other ephemera that appear have been taped, stapled, and clipped to the pages (one note even has a telling coffee cup stain). A focused and thorough examination that highlights the striking beauty of these often-unnoticed natural objects." 
— Publishers Weekly, starred review

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"Presented in a scrapbook format with images and text that appear to be taped, stapled, or pinned to the pages... Brannen's captivating,
lifelike illustrations bring each bird's feathers to life... With its simple text and captivating art, this title could be featured in a group storytime or in a unit on birds."
— School Library Journal

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"What I love about this book: I like the scrapbook-style design that makes it look like a field notebook. And I like the combination of simple text for younger readers complemented with sidebars (or text boxes) with more details... every page is a treasure." 
— Archimedes Notebook

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"...considerable research by both author and illustrator is evident. The combination of thoughtful approach and careful crafting makes this an excellent resource for early nature study." 
— Kirkus Reviews

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"Vividly rendered watercolor illustrations of feathers in life-sized scale complement the straightforward text that describes 16 species of birds and the unexpected functions of their feathers... Feathers succeeds in what such science books for young readers should strive to do: help young minds spot the extraordinary in the seemingly mundane."
— Booklist

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"This is a book that is going to please everyone: children, parents, teachers and librarians... parents and grandparents will want to share this book with the children in their lives. ... Brannen's gorgeous watercolor illustrations will make readers think they are looking at real feathers."
— The Nonfiction Detectives

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"Stunning artwork creates a scrapbook effect out of illustrations, with a skillful use of shadows to create a three-dimensional effect. This lovely and useful book will catch the interest of preschool through early elementary students who will pore over the art, be drawn into the text, and possibly inspired to start their own nature notebooks."

— Jennifer Wharton, Jean Little Library