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BIRD BOY

Name: BIRD BOY
Author: Matthew Burgess
ISBN: 978-1-984893-77-2

by Matthew Burgess ; illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 6, 2021

A lovely celebration of individuality.

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Nico isn’t like all the other children, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

Nico knows he is different. He is new at school, and he isn’t sure what to do to be included. But he knows what he likes to do. He likes to watch insects marching or to sit in the grass and feel the sun on his face. As he sits still, birds begin to visit him. When the other children see this, they name him Bird Boy. Nico knows they are making fun of him, and it hurts. But as he thinks about the name, he finds himself smiling. He imagines himself as an eagle soaring, a penguin diving, a hummingbird hovering, and all sorts of birds in action. Throughout the day and into the night, he imagines and plays. Eventually, other children notice his kindness and his freedom, and he makes first one friend and then another. This heartwarming tale about a Black boy who feels free to be himself and finds genuine friendships by doing so offers realistic hope and encouragement for children who feel different to accept their authentic selves. Gentle illustrations use textures and color schemes to blend imagination with reality for a delightfully surreal journey through Nico’s world. His classmates are mostly kids of color, and one uses a wheelchair.

A lovely celebration of individuality. (Picture book. 3-8)

Pub Date: July 6, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-984893-77-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: May 18, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
SERAFINA MAKES WAVES
by Matthew Burgess ; illustrated by Robin Rosenthal

- BOOK REVIEW
MUNGO ON HIS OWN
by Matthew Burgess ; illustrated by Julie Benbassat

- BOOK REVIEW
FIREWORKS
by Matthew Burgess ; illustrated by Cátia Chien

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MEI MEI THE BUNNY

by Laufey ; illustrated by Lauren O'Hara ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 21, 2026

A reassuring riff on embracing imperfections.

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A young rabbit frets about her upcoming violin performance in Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey’s literary debut.

Mei Mei’s dream—“to share her music with the world”—is about to come true. She’s having her very first recital, complete with an orchestra, at the H’Opera House. But the day before the concert, Mei Mei is racked with anxiety. What if she plays a bum note in front of everyone? Sure enough, the worst happens mid-performance: She hits a clinker. But by remembering her mom’s reassuring sentiments from the night before (“Feel the wind…find the notes to make it right”), Mei Mei summons the strength to soldier on, and “wrong notes become right. Dissonance becomes beautiful.” At times, it all feels more like a resilience parable than a story, and the writing can be precious (“The flutter of butterflies wakes Mei Mei from her slumber”). Still, the message is solid, bolstered by O’Hara’s pencil and watercolor illustrations, which are plush-toy soft—fitting, as even prior to this book’s publication, a stuffed Mei Mei has been for sale at Grammy winner Laufey’s website. The tale features an all-animal, all-adorable cast, and endearingly, the art betrays no hint of modern times. A standout image presents Mei Mei onstage, temporarily incapacitated by her mistake and imagining her fellow musicians and their instruments with the color-blasted menace of an expressionist painting.

A reassuring riff on embracing imperfections. (author’s note, glossary) (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: April 21, 2026

ISBN: 9798217051748

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Penguin Workshop

Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2026

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS | CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

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Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)