Cover of a children's book titled 'Anna Marie and the Bluebird Inn.' The scene shows a girl with red curly hair, holding a notebook, standing outdoors with a white picket fence, trees, and colorful flowers. Two bluebirds are flying in the sky, and a wooden birdhouse is mounted on a post labeled 'The Bluebird Inn.'

Anna Marie

and the

Bluebird Inn

One girl. One bluebird house. A world of discovery unfolding in nature.

A story of curiosity, observation, and science in her own backyard.

Begin the Journey

What is Anna Marie and the Bluebird Inn about?

Anna Marie is a curious 4th grader who loves science. When her parents give her a bluebird house and a camera, she begins documenting the nesting journey of bluebirds as they go from eggs to hatchlings to spreading their wings. Through her journal, she records observations and discovers the beauty of nature through science.

A story perfect for curious kids ages 4-10 (Pre-K–5th) — great for read-alongs with younger children and independent reading as they grow. With its lifecycle focus and journal-style storytelling, it pairs naturally with homeschool nature units and elementary science lessons.

Learn More About the Book
A simple blue line drawing of a light bulb with rays emanating from it.

Curiosity

“Asking questions about the world around us”

Icon of three people, with two larger figures and one smaller figure in front, representing a group or family.

Family

“Shared learning and dicovery together”

Line drawing of a laboratory flask with bubbles inside.

STEM

“Science through real-world experience”

Blue magnifying glass icon on a black background

Observation

“Noticing details in nature and life cycles”

Illustration of a nest with four blue eggs, and birds flying around a hen hatching from an egg.

The Lifecycle of an Eastern Bluebird

A cartoon girl with curly red hair, blue eyes, and freckles, smiling and holding a decorated notebook or tablet with stickers of a sun, a leaf, and flowers, wearing a blue t-shirt and shorts.
Cartoon baby bird with gray feathers, large eyes, open beak, and blue wings.
Open notebook with handwritten text describing colorful birds and their features.

In her journal, Anna Marie records her observations each day, documenting the bluebirds’ journey from eggs to hatchlings and watching as they grow and change over time.

Meet the Authors

Two smiling women standing outdoors in a garden with green trees and plants; one woman holds a colorful children's book titled 'Anna Marie and the Bluebird Inn.'

Anna Marie and the Bluebird Inn was created by a mother-daughter co-author team, Denise (mom) and Allison (daughter). They enjoy spending time together in the backyard having an afternoon iced coffee and watching the birds. The name “Anna Marie” comes from their family and combines Anna, the older sister, and Marie, Allison’s middle name.

For more than 20 years, Denise worked as a childhood educator, supporting young students and helping them learn, grow, and gain confidence both in and out of the classroom. Many of the ideas in this book were inspired by the time Denise and Allison spent watching bluebirds build nests and raise their young in their own backyard.

Get to Know Us

Our Backyard Bluebirds

See More of Our Bluebirds
  • Eastern bluebird eggs in nest

  • eastern bluebird fledgling perched

  • male and female eastern bluebird perched in backyard

  • eastern bluebird getting mealworms

  • flock of eastern bluebirds at feeder

Children's book cover titled 'Anna Marie and the Bluebird Inn,' featuring a girl with red hair holding a book and binoculars, standing outdoors near a birdhouse with a white picket fence and trees, rainbows, and birds in the background.

Bring the Story Home

A story inspired by real moments, encouraging a love of reading while inviting children to observe, explore, and discover the world around them.

A flock of bird silhouettes flying in a V formation.
A cartoon bird with a gray head, blue wings and tail, and wide, expressive eyes standing on a flat surface, with a black background and a yellow and white line behind it.
A flock of bird silhouettes flying in a V formation.
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