BLUELY THE HAPPY BLUE BIRD

Bluely is the happiest bird, but even her optimism can be shaken.

Bluely loves her nest, singing, and most of all—her friends. She even asks the reader to become her friend! She shares a secret, “Sometimes, I feel sad when I don’t have friends to play with.” A sobbing rain cloud commiserates with Bluey, but she doesn’t despair for long. This rara avis knows the answer to her problems is to be grateful for all the friends she has. Her imagination helps her picture better times, while deep breaths relax her body so she can calm down. This easily (perhaps too easily) does the trick, and Bluely remembers that she is awesome. Her friends do really mean a lot to her, as we learn in her search for the perfect birthday present for Sami the Squirrel. This debut picture book from D’Ambrosio is enthusiastic, often relying on repeated exclamation points and capital letters to convey its high energy levels. While the storytelling is a little uneventful, Bluely’s handling of her brief moments of dejection provides a simple model for managing big feelings with breath control and reassuring mantras. D’Ambrosio’s watercolor illustrations bolster the mood with their bright and varied colors. They depict Bluely as larger than even a fawn, matching her big personality but appearing disproportionate to the other animals.

A sweet, simple narrative that provides several tips for mental health.