Wordy Birdy

December 4, 2017
Wordy Birdy is the definition of a flibbertigibbet, and she’s not a little narcissistic (“Do you think there’s an award for Bird of the Year?”). Above all, she’s a terrible listener. But Wordy Birdy’s patient friends—Squirrel, Rabbit, and Raccoon—still care about her, and when she ignores their warnings and stumbles into the path of a hungry bear, they intervene and guide her to safety. It’s a slight story, and Wordy Birdy’s escape from the bear doesn’t register—readers may think they skipped a page. But Sauer (Truck, Truck, Goose!) and Mottram (Race Car Dreams) work hard to ingratiate themselves. The characters’ comic expressions have a genial, sitcom familiarity, Wordy Birdy’s prattling is suitably inane (“My third cousin Barb is a penguin. Really!”), and there’s some droll breaking of the fourth wall. When the narrator tries to underplay Wordy Birdy’s inattentiveness, Rabbit looks at the audience and remarks “Oh, puh-lease,” while Raccoon dryly asks, “Are we talking about the same bird here?” Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator’s agency: Bright Group.

February 1, 2018

K-Gr 1-Self-centered Wordy Birdy talks a lot, about everything ("This one time, I totally went swimming with a narwhal. My third cousin Barb is a penguin. REALLY! Do you think there is an award for Bird of the Year?..."). She doesn't listen to anyone, even when she should. On a walk through the deep woods she babbles along, ignoring every sign of danger (there are literal signs saying "danger"), the repeated warnings of her friends, and their sage advice such as "Run for your life!" When she finally comes face to face with a hungry bear, her friends come to the rescue and Wordy Birdy finally listens. Oh, she still talks a lot, but now "Sometimes, she likes to listen, too." Sauer's fun-to-read text and Mottram's detailed and hilarious illustrations seamlessly meld into a cohesive whole. The extensive use of word balloons, repeated questions ("Does Wordy Birdy listen?"), and characters who directly address readers make for an interactive read suitable for storytime and individual sharing. VERDICT A tale of a flawed character with indomitable friends who finally learns to listen (sometimes). Purchase this amusing and entertaining read-aloud as needed.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2017
To say that this bird is wordy is an understatement; the motor mouth talks so much that she doesn't listen, even when it's in her best interests. The talking starts first thing in the morning, with Wordy Birdy saying hello to each color in the sky at sunrise and to her own reflection in the mirror, but it doesn't stop there. The loquacious bird talks about things she likes, things she dislikes, things she's curious about, what she sees, facts she knows, and sometimes stories she embellishes a bit ("This one time, I totally went swimming with a narwhal"). Her friends are all disgruntled expressions and raised eyebrows, but they are loyal nonetheless (readers may not see why, though, as the self-centered bird is not at all likable). When her ceaseless yammering lands Wordy Birdy in danger, they come to her rescue...and even bring about a modest change in her behavior. Friends Squirrel, Rabbit, and Raccoon are the real stars here. Their droll expressions and unsurprised reactions to Wordy Birdy's indifference to their warnings are laugh-out-loud funny, especially to adults who may be reading this aloud and recognize some familiar behavior. Mottram's seemingly digital illustrations have an Over the Hedge aesthetic, and the dialogue balloons that crowd the spreads emphasize just how much talking Wordy Birdy does.Preschool talkers aren't likely to take the lesson to heart, but their caregivers will certainly find this chuckleworthy. (Picture book. 3-7)

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February 15, 2018
Preschool-G Wordy Birdy is one very talkative bird. From waking up ( Hello, sunrise. Hello, pink sky. Hello, orange sky . . . Oh! Hello, gorgeous, spying herself in mirror) and onward, enthused, if self-absorbed, Wordy Birdy has something to say about everything from her likes (spaghetti; unicorns) to her dislikes (turtlenecks; tuna salad) to general ruminations ( Why do zebras have stripes? ). Problem is, Wordy Birdy doesn't listennot even to her friends Squirrel, Rabbit, and Raccoon, who try to warn her as she blithely walks toward danger. Thankfully, her more-than-patient pals persist, and at the crucial moment, Wordy Birdy pays heed, the friends come to her rescue, and, ultimately, Wordy Birdy gains some appreciation for listening, too. The lively narrative, enhanced by abundant, often wry, speech bubbles, incorporates amusing commentary, witty asides, and reader-directed address, all of which comically conveys Wordy Birdy's verbosity, her friends' frustrations, and, ultimately, their friendship and caring. Energetic, busy layouts and page-filling, colorful cartoonish illustrations lend further pep. Employing hyperbolic elements and humor, this offers an entertaining approach to the topic of listening.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)