Two Many Birds

"Maximum Occupancy 100 Birds" says the sign on a tree--it's a leafless specimen, but it's also the only tree in sight, and demand among the bird community is huge. Ensuring order is a ticketing system flanked by queuing birds with fluorescent plumage and eccentric outfits, and a bird monitor dressed in contrasting black who sits in a lifeguard chair. The monitor's initial warnings ("No running") are not unlike what readers may hear at home and in school. Then it becomes clear that its chastening authority is both arbitrary and overreaching ("No nesting!/ No resting!/ No hair gel!/ No nudity!!!"), and the mood among those perching turns grim. The birth of two chicks proves the tipping point: when the monitor flies into a rage, the flock drives it away in a feathered, furious frenzy, becoming a single entity to be reckoned with. Now everyone is miserable: the monitor loses purpose, and the tree becomes an overcrowded mess. But Derby (How to Walk an Ant), who proves her wholly original talent once again, devises a solution that makes the most of everyone's desires and their talents. Funny, socially relevant, and visually engrossing, this one is worth perching prominently on the shelf. Ages 3-6. (Nov.)

K-Gr 2--A cheerful, watercolor blue sky and green ground set the tone for this story about the power of community. Brightly colored circles, with two dots and a line or two for face and beak, represent a wide variety of birds, short and tall, who wait in line for tickets that will grant a perch in a particular tree. A sign on the tree states that only 100 birds are allowed at a time. Overseeing the line is a grumpy gray bird who shouts out rules: "No running!" "Hey! No fluffin' the feathers!" "No pooping on the ground!!!" The colorful birds blithely ignore these directives and go about the business of piling into the tree. Once the tree is at maximum capacity, the gray bird goes to lunch. Suddenly, eggs hatch and the tree contains 102 birds. The tree monitor shouts, "Two many birds!!" After an altercation and a pout, the monitor notices an acorn growing into a sprout. Soon the colorful birds join in the nurturing of the sapling. Together they plant rows of trees and grow a vibrant orchard with enough trees for everyone. Some of the humor and details will be lost on young readers, but they will love the end display. VERDICT The story is a bit abstract but the mood, colors, and message of thinking outside the perch for the sake of harmony will resonate.--Amelia Jenkins, Juneau P.L., AK