Kirkus praises Matthew Cordell’s TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE BIRDS! in starred review: “A breezy read-aloud . . . Clever and comical, this informative text soars”

★ Terrible, Terrible Birds! The (Mostly) True Story of Two Featherbrained Falcons Who Learned from Their Mistakes by Betsy Bird, illus. by Matthew Cordell.
Knopf Books for Young Readers. 

“Author and librarian Bird recounts the trials and tribulations of the amateur avian parents that built a nest on the roof of Illinois’ Evanston Public Library. Observing the many challenges encountered by a pair of peregrine falcons—including initially laying eggs in a nearby gutter, neglecting to actually sit on them, and struggling to feed the lone chick that finally hatches—the watchful librarians begin to despair of the “terrible, terrible birds!” But three young patrons understand that the birds aren’t terrible; they’re just learning. After all, when you try out new skills, “sometimes you mess up.” Eventually, practice and perseverance pay off and the fledgling triumphantly takes flight. A breezy read-aloud, this “(mostly) true” account is a blithe blend of raptor facts and deadpan humor. Writing in matter-of-fact prose, Bird conveys important takeaways: No one starts out as an expert, and failure is part of the process. Both graceful and a little goofy, Cordell’s animated raptors bumble about the boisterous, vignette-filled pages, paralleling young library patrons who practice difficult tasks like biking or sharing. Scribbly and earth-toned, his loose, impressionistic pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations wonderfully suit the peppy narrative. Characters are diverse. Appended is a Q&A with Mary Hennen, director of the Chicago Peregrine Program. Clever and comical, this informative text soars. (Informational picture book. 4-10)”

—Kirkus Reviews