Ian-
For kids, I'd strongly recommend the Audubon Field Guides (the ones bound in pleather or "turtleback"). It's photographic (and there are editions for not only birds but other fauna and flora, too), thus more visually stimulating than drawings. That was a big plus in our household growing up- my brother and I requested the whole set over various Christmases and birthdays, and would look forward to bringing along the appropriate guides when traveling. This was more in a developmental stage stemming from hide-and-seek and match-the-picture games rather than a true intellectual pursuit, though we were pretty geeky kids.
Drawings, however, are better suited than photographs for true "birding" and the more scientific/intellectual approach that entails. Drawings have the identifying characteristics laid bare in a way that rarely is captured in photos. I'd recommend either the Sibley or Peterson guides- both have their adherents, and I think it's up to personal taste. They also have the ancillary info (calls, behaviors, other distinguishing characteristics) better integrated than the Audubon books, which use an appendix that can be hard to flip to in the field.
It's important to invest in some pairs of binocs. Get a good "special" pair for you that hangs around your neck and gets loaned to the kiddo in the field as a sort of reward for spotting something together. And have a bunch of cheaper pairs stashed for a quick grab- in the glove box, backpack, next to the window in the kitchen / dining room / ***********, etc. And definitely make sure the kid has a pair all to their own.
These are $13 and are good quality, so could be the pair to load up on:
Have fun!
For kids, I'd strongly recommend the Audubon Field Guides (the ones bound in pleather or "turtleback"). It's photographic (and there are editions for not only birds but other fauna and flora, too), thus more visually stimulating than drawings. That was a big plus in our household growing up- my brother and I requested the whole set over various Christmases and birthdays, and would look forward to bringing along the appropriate guides when traveling. This was more in a developmental stage stemming from hide-and-seek and match-the-picture games rather than a true intellectual pursuit, though we were pretty geeky kids.
Drawings, however, are better suited than photographs for true "birding" and the more scientific/intellectual approach that entails. Drawings have the identifying characteristics laid bare in a way that rarely is captured in photos. I'd recommend either the Sibley or Peterson guides- both have their adherents, and I think it's up to personal taste. They also have the ancillary info (calls, behaviors, other distinguishing characteristics) better integrated than the Audubon books, which use an appendix that can be hard to flip to in the field.
It's important to invest in some pairs of binocs. Get a good "special" pair for you that hangs around your neck and gets loaned to the kiddo in the field as a sort of reward for spotting something together. And have a bunch of cheaper pairs stashed for a quick grab- in the glove box, backpack, next to the window in the kitchen / dining room / ***********, etc. And definitely make sure the kid has a pair all to their own.
These are $13 and are good quality, so could be the pair to load up on:
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Have fun!
