Wordy Birdy

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. (Feb.)

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