Neighbourhood Nest

By Sarah Jane Lightfoot

Reviewed by Margarite Igras

Australian author and illustrator Sarah Jane Lightfoot is known for her informative and visually appealing picture books aimed at 3- to 7-year-olds. Her debut work, Down the Road Little Bee sent the young reader on a search for pollen from the trees and flowers in their neighbourhood, and Little Bee’s Year of Blooms encouraged readers how to recognise different  insects and flowers throughout the year.

In Neighbourhood Nest, the reader is invited to go on a search for a particular bird’s egg. During the journey, we discover some of our beautiful Australian birds such as the galah, rainbow lorikeet, tawny owl and willy wagtail; the various types of eggs they produce and the different kinds of nests they build.  Sarah’s storytelling with rhyming verse and detailed illustrations is sure to engage the younger reader.

Maggie the magpie has found an extra egg in her nest. Unlike her three blue spotted eggs, this one is so smooth, white and round.  Whose egg could this be? She decides to find the egg’s family. Her first stop is willy wagtail in the garden shed, but her eggs are smaller with many spots. Down the path, The kookaburra’s eggs have already hatched, and the galahs near the oval, well they only laid the two they are sitting on.  Maggie continues to search until dusk when to her surprise, there perched near her nest is a worried looking tawny owl.

Jane has created a delightful story that will encourage the reader to not only turn the page, but also to go outside and explore the nature that is in their neighbourhood. Her vivid botanical details, the added information at the back of the book as well as an activity to spot some items found in the pages, will entertain the reader beyond the reading. This is a fun way for young children to learn and be curious about the bird life in their neighbourhood.

A beautiful book to have in the home or school library collection.

 Affirm Kids 2025

Sarah Jane Lightfoot