Bird, Balloon, Bear

December 19, 2016
Bird is new in the forest and looking for a friend—but he’s shy. When he sees Bear, he’s overcome with bashfulness (the red plumage on Bird’s head gives him something of a permanent blush). With sweet wit, Na (The Opposite Zoo) translates human social awkwardness into the language of forest creatures. Unable to strike up a conversation with Bear, Bird lurks behind a rock, hides in the bushes, then leans oh so casually against a tree, longing to be noticed. The forest’s ethereal, lavender trees offer contrast to the tubby shapes of both creatures, and also to a red balloon that floats into sight. Bear is smitten—with the balloon (“The friends spent all their time together. They played. They danced”). Bear isn’t spurning Bird when he chooses Balloon; he just noticed Balloon first. It isn’t until something happens to Balloon that Bear finally sees Bird. Making friends doesn’t involve a magic formula or the right words; sometimes it’s just a matter of patience and timing. Any reader who has suffered on the sidelines will feel instant sympathy for Bird. Ages 2–5.

Starred review from December 15, 2016
Bird's new in the forest, and as much as he'd like to befriend Bear, he never quite gets up the courage to say hello. When Bear happens upon a bouncing red balloon, one that dances and plays, Bird watches, hidden behind branches and tree trunks. Muted, wintry colors and recurring round shapes perfectly describe both Bird's vulnerability and his meek desire for friendship. Looking at Bird's plump belly, the balloon's swollen circumference, Bear's pillow-y body and ears, as well as at trees with dot-shaped leaves and at the loop-the-loop roller coaster and circling Ferris wheel in the distance, young readers will internalize an enveloping sense of roundness and soft edges, coming to recognize it as the very shape and feel of empathy. They know how Bird feels. They might remember peering out from behind caregivers' legs to scout potential playmates, kicking pebbles in the recess yard, giving hopeful looks to another loner practicing handstands, meeting the eager, glinting eyes of a fellow camper across the campfire. Na's illustrations--painterly layers of color, texture, and intuitive shapes--conjure tender associations, making his simple story not only immensely pleasing, but important. When Bird tries to rescue the balloon from the wind, making himself known, there's a familiar rush of relief and joy. And a POP! that leads not to disaster but to friendship. As simple and soft as a hug--and as reassuring. (Picture book. 2-6)

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February 1, 2017

PreS-K-Bird looks for a friend on his first day in the new forest. He spies Bear but is too shy to introduce himself. Before he builds up the courage to speak to the stranger, Bear finds a handsome though silent red balloon. Bear's play with Balloon is watched from afar by isolated, lonely Bird. When the wind blows Balloon away, Bird tries to rescue it, but the balloon pops. Bird and Bear now become friends and share great fun. Perspectives change on each spread, as does the placement of figures on the white backgrounds. The result is a dramatic pacing as the tale moves from richly hued spreads to smaller portraits of Bird and Bear on open pages. This simply told tale of unlikely friendships and resilience is as appealing as the creator's Opposite Zoo and Welcome Home Bear.

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