ONLY

Being alone doesn’t necessarily mean being lonely.

A bird named Only loves to spend time alone, reading and watching neighbors from afar. The other birds invite Only to dance, sing, and play bird ball with them. But Only flies off to build a cozy nest; the others conclude that Only likes being lonely (“Sounds terrible!” one remarks). Then loud Squawky, who doesn’t want to play bird ball today, shows up at Only’s door and discovers that quiet time is fun as the two read, paint, and listen to music through earphones. Only teaches Squawky to tweet softly, and soon the pair are singing joyfully—and quietly. The other birds overhear and are surprised that Only can sing—“We thought you wanted to be quiet!” “And alone!” “And lonely!” Only confesses that singing is enjoyable—sometimes—while Squawky allows that being quiet is, too…sometimes. Everyone gives the quiet nest a try. Thereafter, the birds’ lives are a mixture of chatter, quietness, togetherness, and aloneness. But loneliness? Never! This sweet, gentle story reassures children who cherish contemplative moments that they don’t have to abandon lively times with pals. The colorful, adorable gouache illustrations capture the birds’ personalities. The artwork appears in graphic novel–like panels, and characters speak in speech bubbles.

Proof that you can have the best of both worlds: quiet solitude and boisterous time with friends.