A story that could have been pinned to the ground by didacticism instead soars.
Tone and artwork mix beautifully in this endearing tale about overcoming a debilitating fear.
Sporting a jaunty scarf, a little yellow bird named Hugo lives on the grounds of a park in Paris. One day, Lulu, a fellow bird, notices him building a sculpture of the Eiffel Tower and offers to take him there. Hugo is able to delay her without confessing his fear of flight, suggesting a tour, a snack and other activities. It is only when he realizes that his fear may limit not just his dreams, but also his friendships that he swallows his pride and asks for help. The front endpapers depicting Hugo’s solo amusements are neatly complemented by the back endpapers, which feature Hugo and Lulu together. The book charms from the start, but Dominguez excels with her slow revelation of Hugo’s qualms. When readers first meet Hugo, his on-the-ground life appears to be one of choice, not one forced by fear, so this neatly introduces children to the truth that people find ways to hide their fears out of shame. The tissue-and-ink artwork presents surprising textures and rich colors, certain to make a Parisian out of any willing reader.
A story that could have been pinned to the ground by didacticism instead soars. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 7, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3864-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.
Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
Very funny and full of hope—and feathers.
A small, bespectacled bird struggles with friendship.
Nerdy Birdy, with his too-small wings, is unlike the cool birds. They have impressive attributes: “abs of steel” for Eagle, “glossy red attire” for Cardinal, and “worm-fed physique” for Robin. Nerdy Birdy, allergic to birdseed, wears glasses that are too big. He likes reading and video games (he’s especially devoted to World of Wormcraft). He’s not cool, and it’s “awfully lonely not being a cool birdy.” So he’s delighted to discover other nerdy birds: “Their glasses were too big. Their wings were too small. At least half of them had inhalers.” And there are “way more nerdy birdies than cool birdies.” Now he has friends. The story could have ended there, but instead it ever so sweetly takes flight. A large vulture moves into the neighborhood. While the cool birds find her unacceptable, Nerdy Birdy has confidence in his friends: “Being cool is exhausting. You should hang around with us,” he tells her. Though that’s not exactly what happens, clearly Nerdy Birdy understands the heart of friendship. Davies’ nicely frayed lines and ink-and-watercolor cartoon illustrations create a perfect hybrid of bird and, well, nerd. Reynolds’ gently ironic tone will appeal to elementary-age readers who face similar friendship conundrums—and who might draw confidence from Nerdy Birdy.
Very funny and full of hope—and feathers. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 22, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-62672-127-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Neal Porter/Roaring Brook
Review Posted Online: June 5, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2015
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