The Dawn Chorus - Story Snug
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The Dawn Chorus by Suzanne Barton

It’s the time of year when we are woken up by birds singing at dawn, living next to woods means that the concert can be particularly loud! The Dawn Chorus by Suzanne Barton is a gorgeous book that is really relevant to read right now and has stimulated discussion about which kinds of birds we can hear singing in the mornings.

The Story: Early one morning Peep goes to find out who is singing a beautiful song. After asking various birds and animals if they have been singing, he discovers a group of birds who call themselves the dawn chorus. Peep practises singing so that he can join them but on the first day he is late for his audition and on the second day he is too tired to sing. He goes home disappointed but then discovers why he can’t sing so well in the morning…

This is the story of a little bird who does his best to make his dream come true before discovering his own identity. We won’t spoil the story but it has a happy ending, Peep finds a new friend and discovers that his particular species sings better later in the day. Peep is an easy character for children to identify with and we admire his determination to become part of the chorus, feel his disappointment when things don’t go his way and share in his joy as his story ends.

The text is easy to read and Suzanne Barton uses earthy colours for the illustrations which are perfect for the bird and animal life that they portray. My daughter loves Owl and my favourite page shows Peep watching the stars under a full moon, it has a deep blue background with gorgeous collage stars.

Peep’s story would be great to include in a classroom topic on birds and could be used to initiate discussion about different kinds of birds and their birdsongs. Listening to a CD of different birds can help younger readers identify how particular birds sing as well as the different sounds that other birds, e.g. owls, roosters or ducks, make.

The Dawn Chorus is a beautifully illustrated book which is enjoyable to read but also stimulates learning and gives opportunities for children to think and talk about different kinds of birds.

Age Range: 3 to 7

Author / Illustrator: Suzanne Barton


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12 responses to “The Dawn Chorus by Suzanne Barton”


  1. Maddy@writingbubble avatar

    This sounds like a lovely book! My youngest (3) likes listening to birds – he often asks what they’re saying so I think he’d like this one. #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      That’s cute, it would be fun to hear what they’re singing about 🙂 We’re just reading Mary Poppins and have just read the chapter where the babies speak to the starling


  2. Acorn books avatar

    Hearing the birds singing is one of my favourite sounds, I’d love to be able to hear them every morning. This book sounds lovely and your favourite page sounds beautiful.


    1. Catherine avatar

      The dawn chorus is a lovely way to wake up although I’m less aware of the birdsong now, maybe I’ve just got used to it 🙂


  3. Sarah Doyle - let them be small avatar

    I’ve not heard of this one, but it sounds lovely. Right up my street for my two x
    #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      We love Suzanne’s books and her illustrations are beautiful 🙂


  4. Sarah MumofThree World avatar

    This sounds like a lovely book! I find so many recommendations of books for my little niece by reading Read With Me. I need to find some recommendations for my own kids too!


    1. Catherine avatar

      Read With Me is a brilliant way to find books. I often find good recommendations for books for me too 🙂


  5. Yet Another Blogging Mummy!!! avatar

    That does sound a nice book. We used to live somewhere fairly rural where we got woken by a cockerel #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      I don’t mind the dawn chorus as the birds don’t sing very early all year round. I don’t think that I would like to be woken by a cockerel every morning!


  6. Chantelle Hazelden avatar

    This sounds like a very sweet and meaningful story! Thanks for sharing with #ReadWithMe


    1. Catherine avatar

      It is and the illustrations complement the story perfectly 🙂