Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* On a snowy day in the country, two little red birds create their own sorts of fun. They make a mound of tiny snowballs, use pine needles as cross-country skis, nibble dry leaves into snowflake shapes, and fly about, using a twig to knock the snow off fence posts. Meanwhile, they notice objects (snowflakes, branches, roads, etc.) around them and observe that each one is different from the others, even the two birds themselves, who look so similar: No two friends, large or small, no two alike . . . among you all! / Are we the same just alike? / Almost, almost . . . but not quite. It is a theme that has been explored in other picture books, but the poetry and pictures here express the idea of individuality with an irrepressible, childlike sense of joy. Accessible to very young children, the verse reads aloud beautifully, with just a phrase or two on each spread. Created with subdued colors and strong composition, the double-page digital illustrations create a powerful sense of place and season while offering details for young children to notice and talk about. Baker's seamless combination of well-worded rhymes, evocative landscapes, and playful protagonists make this a standout title for reading aloud, especially in winter.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
With spare verse and a quiet, winter landscape, Baker (LMNO Peas) presents an ode to uniqueness, particularly as it pertains to nature. His artwork invites readers to observe the world closely, to notice that "No two snowflakes are alike,/ almost, almost.../ but not quite." Two playful red birds are the focal point of each pale spread as they investigate things that are not quite the same: "No two nests,/ so soft and round,/ no two tracks upon the ground./ No two branches, no two leaves,/ no two forests, full of trees." Displaying both mischief and curiosity, the birds ski on fallen pine needles, nibble leaves to make them resemble snowflakes, aim snowballs at a distant fox, knock snow from fence posts, and eventually ask, "Are we the same-just alike?" In answer, the ending illustrations show two red feathers, one tipped in black, rocking in a snowy blue sky: "Almost, almost.../ but not quite." Baker's digital artwork conveys a sense of painterly softness and warmth, and children should appreciate the gentle self-esteem boost that comes with the reassurance that they are one of a kind. Ages 3-7. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Two seemingly identical red birds flit through the snow, conveying a simple yet significant message: everything-and everyone-is unique. The combination of Baker's soothing, rhythmic cadence and his gentle, soft-hued illustrations result in a surprisingly warm winter wonderland. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In a thoughtfully structured picture book, two little red birds explore a snowy landscape, while a rhyming text draws listeners into looking carefully at the pictures to find similarities and differences between things. The birds playfully swoop around snowflakes that are "almost, almost...but not quite" alike. They investigate nests (one with blue feathers, one with a sleeping squirrel), branches, and a pair of leaves, which observant viewers will notice is being pecked by the birds into snowflake shapes, making readers ponder the similarities and differences with the earlier flakes. The digitally rendered illustrations are in muted blues and greens, the bright birds and other animals lending their colors and providing more things for children to spot. Baker includes many funny scenes, with the mischievous birds stockpiling snowballs as a fox walks warily by in one spread and fishing with berry-bait in another. For children who have not yet picked up on the tiny difference between the two red birds, the final spread gives a clue that will probably send them back through the book to view each picture again. susan dove lempke From HORN BOOK, Copyright The Horn Book, used with permission.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
(Picture book. 3-5)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
