My First Book of Canadian Birds

Text by Andrea Miller

Art by Angela Doak

Nimbus Publishing

978-1-77471-544-4

32 pp.

Ages 0–4

September 2026 

 

There are any number of books for children that help them identify birds. But My First Book of Canadian Birds from Nova Scotians Andrea Miller and Angela Doak is a little different in two ways. First, this is a board book, written for our very youngest children, most who cannot read yet. So, it is a book that will be read to them, that is, until they pick up on the words after more than several repetitions. Secondly, the artwork by Angela Doak, who also did the art for The Old Oak Tree by Hilary Briar) is created with collage. With cut paper, she creates unique textures that help convey the feathers of birds and composition of landscapes. 

Illustration by Angela Doak from My First Book of Canadian Birds, written by Andrea Miller

Andrea Miller's text begins and ends with a parent and child spotting birds and identifying them. For each bird seen, there is a brief intro about the bird before it is identified on the second half of the spread. For example, for the Atlantic Puffin, the text reveals that, "This bird looks like a clown. Its name means 'little brother of the north.'" There are notes about each animal's name or behaviour, its behaviour or its song. It's just the right amount of information for a young child to learn and remember when connecting to each name. 

Illustration by Angela Doak from My First Book of Canadian Birds, written by Andrea Miller

Andrea Miller introduces children to the American Robin, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Red-Winged Blackbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Canada Goose, Northern Gannet, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Blue Jay, Yellow Warbler, Snowy Owl, and Grey Jay. She covers birds from the West Coast, the East Coast, the North, and everything in between. The list is both comprehensive and yet limited for her audience of readers and pre-readers, offering just enough for the curious to learn more on their own.

 

Much of bird identification comes from visual representations, whether using a bird book or an app. As such, My First Book of Canadian Birds relies on accuracy of artwork to communicate what a bird looks like. Angela Doak gives us detailed and precise depictions of all the birds, from colours to proportions, from beaks to feet. And yet her collage art is highly stylized so that the birds are seen as both delicate and robust, flying off the page, strolling on a beach, or perching on a tree.

Illustration by Angela Doak from My First Book of Canadian Birds, written by Andrea Miller

Perfect for our youngest children, My First Book of Canadian Birds will help them recognize some of our most familiar birds, no matter where they live, and undoubtedly excite them to learn more about them and others.