Bird Boy
by Matthew Burgess (Author) Shahrzad Maydani (Illustrator)
Take flight in this heartwarming story about a boy who learns to be true to himself at school while following his love of nature.
Nico was new, and nervous about going to school. Everyone knew what to do and where to go, but Nico felt a little lost. So, he did what he loved to do: Watched the insects, sat in the grass, and most importantly... befriended the birds. Before he knew it, Nico was known as BIRD BOY. But Nico didn't mind. Soon, he made one friend, then two, as the other kids learned to appreciate Nico for who he was. Before long, Nico learned he could be completely, delightfully, himself.
This dreamy story will encourage all readers to express who they are unapologetically.
Locate at a Library Near You WorldCat is the world's largest library catalog, helping you find library materials online.
Find books about:
ALA/Booklist
Kirkus
A lovely celebration of individuality.
Publishers Weekly
In this gentle narrative by Burgess, Nico, a smiling, dot-eyed Black child, does not quite fit in with his new classmates. Nico prefers "watching the insects/ crossing a crack in the blacktop/ like climbers over a mountain pass" to engaging in sports or "standing in huddles, whispering"; when his quiet nature attracts birds, his classmates quickly brand him "Bird Boy" as an insult. Nico initially feels the sting of the moniker before rising above, imagining himself as a variety of avian creatures in different environments: a penguin, a hummingbird, a pelican. And eventually, two classmates warm to Nico's free-spirited ways. Colored pencil, graphite, and watercolor art mingle in sweet illustrations by Maydani, featuring mostly children of color and a softly colored, layered world. Any reader who has ever felt left out will cheer for Nico as he shows he can be "both a bird and completely, delightfully himself." Ages 4-8. (July)
Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV002040 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Birds
JUV035000 - Juvenile Fiction | School & Education
Picture books
Imagination
Individuality
Teasing
