Birds on the Brain

MY THOUGHTS

There is a tree I pass daily on my morning walk with Clou that houses sunbirds, crows, pigeons, mynahs, sparrows, and a brown kite or two on its branches. I’d like to think it is a microcosm of our large society with different kinds of people living in it. Ever so often, I will spot a new resident hopping among its leaves. I have no idea what bird species it is, but it makes me happy to spot it. 

I have friends who are avid birders and take part in the Great Indian Bird Count. I couldn’t contribute to that, but I want to draw your attention to this book to gift a young birder in your life. 

Birds on the Brain is about Reeni Thomas, an avid birder who chooses to do her school project on the bird count. But that isn’t as easy as it sounds. Reeni and her friends Yasmin and Anil face multiple challenges. From convincing grown-ups to help her cause by giving her a phone to wondering if one small bird’s nest should stand in the way of an entire building getting solar power — Reeni has her hands full. To add to that, the Mayor isn’t happy that the dwindling bird count numbers are making his city look bad, putting the Bird Count at risk of being cancelled altogether! 

I enjoyed Birds on the Brain because Uma Krishnaswami doesn’t focus only on the bird count and Reeni’s project but nudges the reader to look at the big picture. She draws the reader’s attention to think beyond a quick eco-green wash. With the character of the ‘istri’ lady, Uma forces the reader to understand the plight of those less fortunate among us and what they lose when we don’t carry everyone along on our path of sustainability. She adds interesting tidbits about birds and birding jargon that keep the reader engaged. 

This is a book that will allow you to have interesting conversations with your child about caring for those around us, empathetic while being eco-friendly, and how young minds may have the most creative solutions to today’s problems. Birds on the Brain is definitely a book your child should read because it is a reflection of the times we live in.