Looking Up

A Birder's Guide to Hope Through Grief

By: Courtney Ellis, Kay Warren - foreword

Narrated by: Courtney Ellis

"Look at the birds"

Through the painful days of the pandemic stuck in her home, Courtney Ellis found herself looking down in despair. Soon after, her beloved grandfather died unexpectedly.

It was around this same time that Ellis took up watching birds. "Took up" might not be exactly right—as she puts it, "the switch flipped," and she's been borderline obsessed with birds ever since.

Looking Up is a meditation on birding as a practice of hope. Weaving together stories from her own life, including the death of her grandfather, with reflections on birds of many kinds, Ellis invites us to open our eyes to the goodness of God both in the natural world and in our own lives. By "looking up" to the birds, Ellis found the beauty and wonder of these creatures calling her out of her darkness into the light and hope of God's promises.

Complete with bird songs at the beginning of each track, this audiobook enhances your experience as you look up and listen to the birds.

PLEASE NOTE: Along with this title, you will receive a PDF document with extra content.

©2025 InterVarsity Press, LLC. (P)2024 Courtney Ellis

Considering the birds as a balm for grief.

I loved the way Ellis connected birds with the journey of grief. Very creative and life-giving. The bird sounds at the beginning of chapters is a warm touch.