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About The Book

ALA Notable Book
Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

Discover the fascinating lives of often-misunderstood vultures in this award-winning nonfiction picture book from celebrated author April Pulley Sayre and Caldecott Honor illustrator Steve Jenkins—now featuring updated end matter with more illuminating info about these amazing creatures.

Turkey vultures are best known for being nature’s clean-up crew, but did you know they’re among the most graceful soaring birds on earth? Come spend a day in the life of a vulture and learn how they fly on thermals of warmed air, preen their feathers to stay squeaky clean, keep up their scavenger diet—and so much more. This updated edition features a new author’s note about the inspiration for the book, remastered color, and updated end matter with the latest scientific information about these marvelous and majestic creatures.

About The Author

Photograph by Jeff Sayre

April Pulley Sayre (1966–2021) was the award-winning author of more than fifty-five natural science books for children and adults, including her award-winning photo-illustrated books Being Frog, Raindrops Roll, and Best in Snow. Sayre’s books received an abundance of starred reviews, have been dubbed ALA Notable Books (Raindrops Roll; Rah, Rah, Radishes) and won a Geisel Honor (Vulture View). Learn more at AprilSayre.com.

About The Illustrator

Photograph by Robin Page

Steven Jenkins (1952–2021) was the illustrator of many celebrated children’s books including Can an Aardvark Bark? and Fourteen Monkeys by Melissa Stewart; Hello, Baby! by Mem Fox; Mama Built a Little Nest and Mama Dug a Little Den by Jennifer Ward; and the 2003 Caldecott Honor recipient, What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?, which he created with his wife, Robin Page. Learn more about his life and work at SteveJenkinsBooks.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Beach Lane Books (April 16, 2025)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781665952194
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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More books from this author: April Pulley Sayre

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