Long ago, when the world was young, the magpies’ nests were the envy of all other birds. To help the other birds, Maggie Magpie patiently explained how to build a nest. But some birds were impatient and flew off without listening to all the directions which is why, to this day, birds’ nests come in all different shapes and sizes. This clever retelling of an old English folktale features birds native to the US and teaches the importance of careful listening.

Written by Doris L. Mueller Illustrated by Sherry Neidigh	32 pg, 8.5'' X 10'', ages 4-8, Lexile: AD 830 Hardcover: 978-1-934359-09-9, $16.95 Paperback: 978-1-934359-25-9, $8.95
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Author/Artist Bio:

Doris L. Mueller (pronounced Miller) has been a teacher and professor at every level from kindergarten through graduate school. She currently teaches college-level writing courses and a class in Children’s Literature. Her previous books include a picture book, Small One’s Adventure, a middle-grade novel, Marryin’ Sam, and a biography, M. Jeff Thompson: Missouri’s Swamp Fox. Doris recalls that whenever she failed to listed to instructions, her mother would tell her an Old English Tale of how, when the magpie tried to teach the birds how to build a beautiful, strong nest like hers, all but one failed to attend to her instructions and went off to build inadequate nests. She retold the story, substituting birds native to the US, and added factual information telling how various birds build their nests. Doris and her husband live on a small lake outside of St. Louis and have many bird visitors at their bird feeders—woodpeckers, humming birds, nuthatches, and goldfinches, among others. Their own children are grown and have flown the nest.

Sherry Neidigh, a graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design, has been freelance illustrating for over twelve years. Sherry’s love of animals and nature comes through in her bright, colorful art. In addition to illustrating The Best Nest for Sylvan Dell, Sherry has illustrated several trade and education titles including Who Needs That Nose?, If I Had a Tail and Black and White. To visit her website click here