A Funny Little Bird

February 25, 2013
First published in France, this slim, stylish fable introduces a bird that blends in very well with its surroundings—other than its dot eyes, carroty nose, and purple stick legs, the bird is entirely white, all but disappearing against the book’s white backgrounds. Only when the bird stands against a cluster of leaves or colorful sheets hanging from a clothesline does its swoopy silhouette become visible. The bird is made fun of (ostensibly because of its difference, though the reason isn’t made entirely clear), so it “went away.” On the road, the “funny little bird” meets a bird with beautiful feathers and finds some equally vibrant foliage, which the near-invisible bird collects to create some couture peacocklike plumage of secondhand feathers, ferns, and more. These make other animals take notice—especially predators. The story has similarities to Aesop’s parable “The Vain Jackdaw,” but things end more happily for this bird. Considering how pared down and elemental Yerkes’s illustrations are, they generate quite a bit of visual humor and suspense, not to mention personality for the story’s silent hero. Ages 4–up.

April 1, 2013
The funny little white bird is almost invisible against his white background, unnoticed and, consequently, sad. He discovers that by gathering materials from his surroundings--feathers, leaves, stalks, flowers--he can make himself look more like an ordinary bird and also become visible. Unfortunately, this can also draw unwanted attention from predators. Strutting along proudly with his newfound accoutrements, he is immediately noticed by a fox, and he only escapes by hastily abandoning his treasures and becoming invisible again. After this experience, he discovers a virtue in his invisibility. He can hide himself and also protect other creatures from harm. The moral of this Aesopian tale, simply told, is that it is more rewarding to be a good friend than to show off. In a constant play with positive/negative space, the artist explores with gentle humor the meaning of identity, both visual and metaphorical. Until he learns to use his surroundings appropriately, the bird is defined only by his environment. Once he understands the ways of the world, he can create his own identity. A flat, decorative style, delicate brushwork and a light, controlled palette in refreshing, springlike colors characterize Yerkes' illustrations. This highly original and thought-provoking picture book will appeal to the peek-a-boo sensibilities of the youngest readers and also have aesthetic appeal for parents. (Picture book. 2-5)

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April 1, 2013

K-Gr 1-The artwork is the charm of this petite picture book. The simple, jewel-toned illustrations pop against abundant white space, making a crisp and vivid presentation. Spare text tells the tale of an invisible bird that is tired of being teased for his appearance (or lack of one) and decides to adorn himself with a hodgepodge of leaves, blooms, and feathers from other birds. He gets noticed, but it's at a price: one of his admirers is a fox. The bird realizes his invisibility is a quality that benefits not only him but small friends as well, since he can camouflage them from predators. With only a few words per page, the book can serve either as a quick read-aloud or an accessible text for early readers. Refreshingly, Yerkes gives a nod of respect to the youngest readers with a sprinkling of more sophisticated vocabulary ("vanity," "souvenir," "discreet," etc.) and elegantly understated art that blend together in a sweet and lovely package.-Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

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