At The Library: Birds of a Feather
Local Author/Illustrator Team Sarah Pedry and David Obuchowski Share The Story Of How Birds Sleep Was Hatched
By Dawn Mendel
Park Hill Branch Librarian
The expression birds of a feather flock together means that people who are alike tend to do things together. I like to think that our monthly kids’ book celebrations bring together kids and families who like to read books. One way to celebrate books is to talk to those who create them.
This month we are excited to offer a chance for our customers to talk to the Park Hill author and illustrator team, Sarah Pedry and David Obuchowski, who will present their picture book, How Birds Sleep.
I had the opportunity to talk to Pedry and Obuchowski about how the book came about, and they happily shared their recollection of how the idea for the book was hatched.
“My interest in birds started when I was at home with two young children,” Pedry said. It was hard to get out into the wilderness the way I used to, and I missed it. But when I started to focus on the nature that was close at hand, I realized just how much was going on right outside my door. Birds are always present here, and they bring different joys with every season.”
That’s when, says Obuchowski, interest intersected with serendipity. “Sarah found an old, rather obscure academic book from the early ’80s in a used bookstore called Birds Asleep by a naturalist named Alexander Skutch. He spent years in the field, documenting his observations. Sarah was thrilled, and I think her first reaction to it was that the subject matter would be perfect for a children’s book.”
Pedry recalls how, “The more I’d learned about birds, the more I wanted to know. I’d studied their names, calls, behavior, anything I could find. So, when I came upon Birds Asleep, there was a moment of shock: I couldn’t believe I had never thought about this aspect of their life before. I pictured the birds around me just sitting quietly in a tree at night. But, was there more to it than that? The answer, of course, is that there is much more to it. And I knew this was information I had to share.”
Obuchowski thinks this speaks to the power of books. “Birds Asleep became one of our major sources in terms of research,” he said. “But more than that, it’s such a clear example of the impact books can have. They not only entertain or teach, but they inspire, and they can create a whole life-changing domino effect, all from picking up a book you’d never even heard of.”
All of us might find inspiration in books. But there’s plenty to be found simply by strolling Park Hill or looking out of our windows. As Obuchowski says, “In our own yard, we see hawks, crows, magpies, bluejays, robins, chickadees, flickers, goldfinches, sparrows, juncos, starlings, grackles, doves, wrens, towhees, nuthatches and probably even more. One of the things we really like to emphasize and hope to communicate in this book as well as others is that people can love and enjoy nature no matter where they are — even in the city.”
Pedry and Obuchowski’s curiosity and hard work have paid off with recognition by several organizations. The School Library Journal identified How Birds Sleep as one of the best nonfiction titles for elementary grades and The National Science Teaching Association has named it one of the Outstanding Science Trade Books of 2023 for young readers.
The authors will present the book at the January Kids Book Celebration at the Park Hill branch on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. We will also have some fun bird-related activities. Copies of the book will be raffled off at this event to 12 lucky attendees. Pedry and Obuchowski will be happy to sign books at the end of the event.
January Programs
Park Hill Branch
Baby Storytime | Thursdays 10:15-10:45 a.m. (Note new earlier start time)
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their parents or caregivers.
Toddler Storytime | Fridays 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their parents or caregivers.
Teen Advisory Board | Every other Tuesday 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Writing Circle | Thursdays 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Group-led adult writing group.
No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, Jan. 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Read whatever you want, attend whenever you can.
Kids Book Celebration | Thursday, Jan. 18, 4-5 p.m.
See How Birds Sleep interview with the authors at left.
Death Cafe | Monday, Jan. 22, 2-3:30 p.m.
Death Café is an international movement that invites people to gather, normalize conversations around death, to make the most of LIFE. This is not a grief support group or counseling session. Respect for all views is a priority.
Tea Time Travel Tales | Wednesday, Jan. 24, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Listen to neighbors travel tales while sipping tea and having a nosh.
Pauline Robinson Branch
Pauline Robinson is offering limited services at the Hiawatha Davis Jr. Recreation Center while the library building is under renovation.
Visit us at the recreation center, at 3334 Holly St., Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Services provided include:
• Internet access with Chromebooks
• Printing and copying documents
• A cart of free books and DVDs for you to browse
• Digital navigator appointments on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Bookmobile visits on Wednesdays from 1-2:30 p.m.
• Community Resource Navigator on Thursdays from 10-11 a.m.
Greater Park Hill has two public libraries: The Park Hill branch library is at 4705 Montview Blvd. For hours of operation and additional upcoming programs, visit denverlibrary.org/events/upcoming, and select the facility you are planning to visit.
The Pauline Robinson branch library is at 5575 E. 33rd Ave. It is currently closed for renovations. See listings above for current location and library services. All Denver Public Library Branches will be closed on Monday, Jan. 1 and Monday, Jan. 15 due to holidays.