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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Life is full of new beginnings. A mother bird tells her young bird it’s time to leave the nest in The Bird Song by Willie Beesley. The news makes him feel very nervous. The world feels so big, but his mom offers some encouraging advice. She tells him every bird has a song of its own. So, with only a few belongings and her words, he sets off on his journey. As he travels, he stops at a café, a park, a local pub, and more. Each place gives him a chance to find the connection he’s looking for. There are times of joy, disappointment, and discovery as he moves closer to finding out who he is. The farther he travels, the more surprises he encounters. Will he find his song? And what about the love he's looking for?
The Bird Song by Willie Beesley is a fresh and clever story. When I first saw the cover, the artwork reminded me of a Dr. Seuss book. So, I knew I had to read it. There were lots of visual jokes throughout that made it even more enjoyable. The bird version of American Gothic, the phone with a bird dating app, and the "Birdweiser” picture were some of my favorites. But the page with “Tequila Mockingbird” was the best of all. I smiled at the nod to the saying "birds of a feather.” As a teacher, I'd use it to talk about growing up, kindness, and confidence. I’d give my students follow-up activities like inventing bird-themed puns or creating their own bird characters with unique "songs." The writing was entertaining while still giving readers something to think about. It moves at a steady pace that works well for young readers. I think it would be a nice choice for early readers, too. David Daniels' illustrations are colorful, playful, and a lot of fun to look at. Anyone looking for a children's book that has humor, talking animals, and themes of self-discovery will want to pick this one up. It's a creative choice for homes, classrooms, and libraries alike. The author includes a Rumi quote, and I thought another one fit the story just as well: "Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."
