Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The confused bird who stars in this latest creation by McPhail (I Hug) is a stumpy, personable fellow with a glittering eye who, having hit his head, can't remember what kind of bird he is. In a wildland setting that's home to many different species, he approaches all the birds he can find, parroting their actions to see whether he's of their type. He's not a nightingale, he discovers--his singing is more annoying than tuneful. He's taken aback when a worm pops up out of the ground ("Yikes!"), so he's not a robin. Gently tinted ink and watercolor spreads give readers reason to linger, and humorous remarks appear in handsome umber ink via speech balloons: "Maybe tomorrow," says a kindly hen, as the bird protagonist looks into the empty nest he's failed to fill with eggs. The bird accepts each failure cheerfully and doesn't become discouraged until the very end, when warm reassurance appears. A good place to start conversations about observing differences in nature. Ages 4--8. (Mar.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--When a little bird collides with a tree trunk and falls to the ground, he is lost and disoriented. He cannot even remember what kind of bird he is! The confused bird sets out on a journey to rediscover his identity. Along the way, he encounters several species of birds and tries on their habits for possible matches. Could he be a robin? No, he doesn't like the idea of eating worms. Perhaps he is an egret? No, his legs are too short to walk through the pond. Maybe he is a duck? No again, he can't swim! What about a chicken? Nope, he can't lay an egg despite encouragement from two chickens. McPhail's simple text and charming pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations work together to create a resonant story of lost and found. Details in the illustrations and speech bubbles help convey the action. This understated story introduces young readers to a variety of birds and will appeal to prereaders in a bird-themed story time or as a classroom read-aloud. VERDICT A charming tale of identity, perfect for story hours welcoming spring.--Emily Brush, Novi P.L., MI
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Review by Horn Book Review
A bump on the head renders the story's main character, a little bluebird, lost and confused about who he is. He sets off to sort things out by trying to find his place among a wide assortment of other birds. He discovers he does not sing like a nightingale, enjoy worms like a robin, or swim like a duck. His legs are too short to be an egret's, and he is too small to be an eagle. Through speech bubbles, the other birds gently point out these differences, and the pictures make them quite obvious. Expressive interactions among the birds drawn in pen and ink are highlighted by the warm washes of watercolor backgrounds. Just when this resilient little protagonist begins to lose hope -- a tear falling into the birdbath where he perches alone -- he is joined by another bird. "'Hello,' she said, 'Who are you?'" Though he still does not know, the pictures allow readers to see the connection. The female bluebird sees it, too, and she takes her new friend with her to set up house in a nearby bluebird box, where, alone in the world no more, they start a family. This sweet story of self-discovery can serve as a first look at bird identification as well. Julie Roach May/June 2021 p.116(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
One little bird doesn't know who he is. After bumping his head on a tree trunk, the titular bird is so discombobulated that he does not even know what species he is, so he decides to experiment and find out. He tries singing like a nightingale, but a robin begs him to stop. The little bird then wonders if he's a robin, but the prospect of eating a worm makes him realize he is not. He wonders if he's an eagle, but a bald eagle assures the little bird he's much too small. When a couple of crows ask him to join their dead-rodent feast, the little bird knows he isn't a crow. His legs are too short to be an egret. He can't swim like a duck or lay eggs like a hen, and pecking a trunk gives him a splitting headache. Discouraged, the little bird perches on a birdbath and cries…until another little bird lights on the birdbath and tells the little bird that he is a bluebird just like her. He flies home with her--and stays to raise a family. McPhail's familiar watercolor-and-ink illustrations are as comforting as ever in this gentle tale of self-re-discovery. Speech bubbles add touches of humor in his conversations with the other birds; "Maybe I'll get bigger!" he says hopefully to the eagle. (This book was reviewed digitally with 8-by-16-inch double-page spreads viewed at 56.3% of actual size.) A tweet little tale of finding one's place in the world. (Picture book. 2-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
