Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Little Bird loves his home and is reluctant to leave his favorite things behind when it's time to fly south for the winter. He comes up with a seemingly clever idea-to bring everything with him, carrying his beloved possessions in his nest. Alas, the load proves to be too heavy for the journey, as one by one Little Bird drops his branch, wind chimes, and berries. When he arrives at his new home, he discovers that there are new favorite things to find and that going between two homes is not as daunting as he feared. Empson's illustrations combine bold, striking colors with soft, gentle washes, a perfect representation of Little Bird's vulnerability and determination. The diminutive protagonist's vivid citrine coloring contrasts with his plaintive, oversize eyes. The last page features a simple map depicting Little Bird's path from the UK to the west coast of Africa near the Gulf of Guinea. VERDICT Mellow and reassuring, this is a wonderful story to share, especially with children facing a move or a similar multiple-home situation, and one that can serve as a conversation starter about the meaning of home and challenges of migration.-Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY © Copyright 2016. 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
Little Bird loves his home, but he must fly south for the winter. He tries to bring his favorite things with him but has to let them go along the way. This pleasant migration story also emphasizes the concepts of non-attachment, comfort, and bravery. The large full-page illustrations highlight the green and yellow bird's small size and the colorful changing landscape throughout his journey. (c) Copyright 2017. 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
Little Bird loves his cozy nest so much that, as winter approaches, he can't bear to leave it. Every day, Little Bird sits on his favorite branch, eats his favorite food (juicy red berries), and listens to his favorite music, provided by wind chimes tied to another, nearby branch. So, when the wind starts to blow and his big brother tells him it's time to head south to the family's winter home, Little Bird decides to take all his favorite things, including his nest, with him. As the flock flies higher and higher, Little Bird tries to keep up, but it's hopeless. His favorite branch falls into the mouth of a grateful dog, the wind chimes land near a shepherd atop a snowy mountain, and a clap of thunder sends Little Bird's gathered berries onto the quills of a porcupine. When Little Bird finally reaches his new home, he doesn't have his favorite things. In a short time, though, he discovers lots of new favorite things. And soon it feels like home. Empson's dreamy illustrations capture the beauty and majesty of nature with warmth and elegance; wide-eyed Little Bird is a green-and-yellow puffball. Children will readily identify with both his juvenile appearance and his desire to cling to the familiar. The text is properly simple and direct and is closed with a short postscript on the adventure of migration. Simply lovely. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
