The Backyard Bird Chronicles

One of the best (nature or otherwise) books I have ever read - and I am a book nut. Engaging, heartfelt, and very observant prose. And the Ms. Tan's illustrations - wow!! Loved this book so much I got one for a dear librarian friend who went nuts over it. A delightful read through and through. I hope that Ms. Tan pursues this vein again.

The Kindle edition shows the exquisitely rendered details of Amy Tan’s artistry and her stories are engaging and well-told. Since reading her book, I look at my backyard birds with more appreciation.

great book and gift for those interested in birds

Long time Amy Tan fan, have collected and read all her books, so I was delighted to see her love for the outdoor put into a book to share with the world. love the personal touches she added to each bird species and other wildlife.I enjoy comparing her drawings to the birds I see in my own backyard living in Veneta Oregon. Living by the lake seems to draw in many more birds species, turkeys were our special visitor today. Thank you 💕

I bought this for my sister, the bird watcher but haven't been able to send it to her because I'm thoroughly enjoying reading it. May have to just buy another copy... You can pick it up and read anywhere in the book or go from start to finish - either way it's a delightful read and so fun to get to know Amy Tan in such a personal way. Illustrations are charming and the entrys are each just a single page (at least as far as I've read). A lovely book for bird lovers.

I am thoroughly impressed with this book. I wanted it for the art. It turns out that the stories are worhpth reading out loud. That has become part of our morning routine.

The art in the book was a treat but I did not find the writing/journaling to be of interest. I felt I did not gain any information of value. It was geared towards children or an extreme novice of birds. I also did not like most of the writing to be about what the birds where thinking per the author's imagination. This book i judged by the cover which was fabulous so again the artwork was excellent.

Clare Walker Leslie, John Muir Laws, David Allen Sibley, Annie Dillard, Jo Northrop, & Bill Bryson decide to collab on a book— well, no need, Amy Tan has taken care of it!Ms. Tan has produced a birder/naturalist’s dream in these pages. At first glance it brought back wonderful 1990’s memories of discovering Clare Walker Leslie’s work.Always one with the need to know what’s under the dust jacket, I was delighted to find the little hummer treasure with the initial “A.T.” (Photo #1)With the jacket off, it feels like an over-sized field guide one may carry about and enjoy out of doors.Even the end papers are a visual feast (Photo #2).Ms. Tan’s keen observations noted as journal entries, read much like the lovely 1980-90’s essays of Jo Northrup, but with an ornithological focus.The generous illustrations are both informative and humourous.This book fills a genre long vacant… a book one can simply enjoy as a relaxing good read, whilst still expanding one’s birding knowledge, as well as a study in illustrative technique.I’m thoroughly enjoying this literary treat! Thank you, Ms. Tan.Highly recommended!Thanks for reading,- CC, Amazon Prime Member-Reviewer