Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Here's a book that is not just a smart story but one that has myriad uses as well. With simple geometric shapes and pure colors, Yuly introduces Early Bird, who, as one would suspect, likes to rise and shine. As the pages turn, the sky changes shades of blue. Strong verbs explain how the bird stands tall, breathes deeply, and then gets going, across the grass and under the spiderweb, until she finally arrives at the garden, where she spies a worm. And yes, this early bird does get the worm. (In one delightful picture, she has picked it up in her beak, and it looks like a mustache.) Kids who know about birds and worms may be a little nervous at this point, especially after the worm is carefully placed on a strawberry. Happily, the berry is for them to share, and together they enjoy breakfast. It's unusual for a book this straightforward to accomplish several things, but this succeeds. Yuly offers a story that has action and tension, while at the same time with the help of parents and teachers extends the way kids think about words. A simple exercise would be to ask them other things Early Bird might do, thereby emphasizing verbs and prepositions. A fun way to learn.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2014 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Yuly debuts with an energetic story of an early-rising red bird, which also introduces a handful of directional prepositions. Outlined in black, Early Bird has the swoopy shape of a tilde, with a cluster of black teardrop wings and big, round eyes. After awakening, she stretches, "takes a deep breath of fresh morning air and then Early Bird gets going!" The bird's rambles take her "across the grass/ through the flowerbed/ under the spiderweb/ up the path" and beyond. Yuly's digital artwork is eye-catching and elementally simple. Full of bright colors and clean shapes, the illustrations initially look like they could have been dashed off in a few minutes, but strong layouts and surprising details are evident, from the eyelashes of the sun that barely peeks over the horizon to the surly look that a cat gives Early Bird as she flies overhead (no Early Cat, that one). This Early Bird does indeed get the worm, and what she does (and doesn't) do with it creates some fun moments of suspense and humor in the final pages. Ages 1-3. Agent: Lori Kilkelly, Rodeen Literary Management. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Baby/Toddler-Up before the sun, a little red bird likes to head out and get a jump start on the day. She hops across the grass, through the flower bed, under a spiderweb, up the path, and around the cat to get to the garden, where she meets-an early worm. Being hungry after her journey, she picks the worm up in her beak and carefully places it on a big, fat strawberry, and "together they share an early breakfast." The bold graphic design and simple appealing images make this a satisfying choice any time of day, but a particular favorite for early risers everywhere. © Copyright 2015. 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
A little red bird wakes early and goes on a preposition-laden journey: "Across...through...under...up...and over" until she finds the Early Worm. Readers may think they know the little worm's fate, but Early Bird gets the worm--and shares a strawberry breakfast. The large-size type plays around, under, and over the bold shapes and colors in this simple, pleasing story. (c) Copyright 2014. 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.
