The Lost Little Bird

February 1, 2021
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)

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April 1, 2021

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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