Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
It's Bert's "big day," the narrator tells readers. But for what? Given that there's nothing in the pictures except sky, a tree branch, and the orange, big-beaked bird peering downward with trepidation, readers may guess that the time has come for Bert to learn how to fly. But when Bert finally takes his leap, he doesn't even flap his wings. What's up with that? Könnecke's (Anton and the Battle) single-plane vignettes are gems of minimalist visual humor; Bert doesn't even utter a word (a funnily poignant "Help") until he takes the plunge. The comic reveal-that the branch is actually a diving board for a swimming hole, where his friends await with swim caps and inner tubes-is handled with a light touch and easygoing reassurance. "When Bert says he'll do something, he does it," says his egretlike buddy, once Bert has joined them in the water. It's a smart lesson for readers, as well: the line between scared stiff and blithely confident is actually very thin, and it's often surprisingly easy to cross. Ages 3-up. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-A small bird stands at the end of a branch preparing for his big day. He is mentally and physically prepared but nervous as he stands at the edge. "Bert checks everything one more time," and children watch him transform from tentative to determined. On the final spread, he is seen falling through the air with one word appearing above his head-"Help." While the story focuses on whether Bert is brave enough to make the leap, a surprise twist shows that the reason for his action may not be what readers expect. With minimalistic illustrations, an expressive little orange bird, and lots of white space on each page, the book is a natural for preschool storytimes. A good choice for those embarking on a new adventure.-Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH (c) 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 small red bird walks out to the end of a slender tree branch, trepidation written all over his face. "This is Bert. It's his big day." A brief, direct-address text follows Bert as he flaps his wings, checks his environment, and looks like he's about to take a running startbut no, he's not. ("Come on, Bert. Bert? BERT!") Finally, he takes the leap -- not, as our expectations have led us to believe, into the air for his first flight but down into a pool of water below, where three friends are waiting. (Adorably, his fledgling friends are all wearing water wings or using an inner tube.) Konnecke uses the picture book format simply but brilliantly. For much of the book we see just Bert and the branch set against empty white space; Bert paces the tree branch on right-hand pages while the text occupies the left pages. When Bert jumps, however, he launches himself across the gutter, breaking the plane, and the Big Reveal uses the whole spread to portray Bert's pride ("I did it!") and his friends' joy in his achievement. Primary colors pop effectively out from the background white space; simple shapes and minimal detail keep readers' attention squarely on the action. Preschoolers faced with daunting new experiences will identify with Bert; both the humorous twist and the broad smile on Bert's face as he dives off the branch for another go should help ease their fears. martha v. parravano (c) Copyright 2015. 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
Can Bert do it? Can he take the plunge off the branch and launch himself into the yonder?In this sweet-toned, encouraging, minimalist picture book for young listeners, Knnecke has set up a simple tableau for all but the last few pages. Page right: a few leaves, a hint of a nest and a branch, along which Bert, a little (except for his beak) red bird, troops back and forth. Page left: a great, white expanse, void except for a doodley cloud or two. Bert walks to the end of the branch. He fluffs his feathers. He walks back, then returns with a banana. He eats the banana and peers over the end of the branch. "Come on, Bert," urges the text. Bert waffles. "Bert? / BERT!" Bert launches himself into the ether, covering his eyes with a wing, which makes flying problematical. ("Help," he says in tiny letters as gravity takes hold.) Butha!surprise: Bert's jumping into a swimming hole. Pretty tricky, pretty clever even. Bert's three pals in the water cheer for Bert: "When Bert says he'll do something, he does it." Not a bad message, either, with a delivery as light as a feather. A winning example of less is more. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
