Willie Was Different: A Children's Story

by Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell, the foremost chronicler of small-town American life in paint, wrote just one work of fiction, a children’s story, first published in McCall’s magazine in 1967. It was later republished by Funk Wagnalls as a book, but this edition is based on Rockwell’s original concept, complete with the color and monotone paintings he created for the story.


Willie is a wood thrush—but a very different kind of wood thrush. Driven by his intimation that he possesses a special genius, Willie leaves his avian fellows to take up singing with the exquisitely down-to-earth Miss Polly, flautist extraordinaire. Together they find fame, and they eventually travel to the nation’s capitol so Willie’s beautiful singing can be appreciated all the more. Yet all the attention and bustle of city life distress Willie and make him stop singing, so Miss Polly brings Willie back to his native woods, where he resumes his tranquil life and music-making with her. But the world remembers and reveres Willie and the genius of his song.


Share Willie’s timeless story with the children in your life.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Birds, Art, Fiction, Music

Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Norman Percevel Rockwell was a 20th century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States, where Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for The Saturday Evening Post magazine over more than four decades. Among the best-known of Rockwell's works are the Willie Gillis series, Rosie the Riveter (although his Rosie was reproduced less than others of the day), Saying Grace (1951), and the Four Freedoms series.

Reviews

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story illustrated and written by good ol' Norman Rockwell. Well, that's just wonderful!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A conversation this morning reminded me of this book that my parents had when I was growing up...I loved it for the story and Rockwell's incredible illustrations. I took an art and politics course in college and one of the only times I challenged a professor was with respect to Norman Rockwell whom he described as an illustrator rather than an artist because his work had, in the professor's view, no political heft. I called bs and it got quite testy. 😂

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once in a while, I love to read children's books!

This was quite a charming story about Willie, a different woodthrush, that used to compose his own music accompanied by Ms.Polly's flute playing. Amazed by this brilliant and prodigious talent, experts were called up from the National Ornithological Society in Washington!
Willie was taken to the aviary in Washington, where the stress got to him and eventually... stopped singing.
Ms.Polly decided to take him back to woods, were they quietly started making music again, however the world did not forget about Willie!!
A shrine commending his remarkable talent was built in the Ornithological Society's museum!

I think this story can even teach adults a thing or two!

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willie knows he’s a different wood thrush; he doesn’t figure out what makes him so until he hears music while he’s singing his songs. He actually creates his own songs. When the local librarian who plays her flute along with his songs shares her experience with Willie ornithologists want to hear for themselves. They decide Willie needs to be in an aviary with other birds but Willie is desperately unhappy and no longer sings. The librarian takes matters into her own hands and brings Willie back. He finds his voice again in the place he feels happy and comfortable. This story written by Norman Rockwell is charming as are his illustrations.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willie was a wood thrush who was driven by his vague sense of his own genius. Leaving his family to find just what he was a genius in, he lived alone in the forest until he met Miss Polly a flute player. Together the two of them made music. Willie was able to compose beyond the six notes of music that other thrush were capable, and together he and Miss Polly became a duet and the best of friends.

[Diann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick read (hence not on the year's list of reads) for young children, which I bought primarily for the art by Norman Rockwell, a bit more whimsical than his usual style. (We'd been to the Rockwell Museum a couple weeks back, and it interested me.)

[Cheryl Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations 😀.

[Sean Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprisingly good children's book that is still worth it for young readers!

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Norman Rockwell’s art, so when I saw this amongst the free books a children’s story by him, I picked it up. It’s a cute story and the kids enjoyed it. And, of course, the art is fabulous.

[Beckie Coldiron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite artists, which made me excited to read this book that he wrote and illustrated. I believe this book would be great for expressing individuality, especially in the classroom. You could also explore this book when learning about different types of artists and making predictions with illustrations. I would recommend this book for children in second through fourth grade.

[Scott Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through the experience of a wood thrush... What if you could do something like no one else could? Strain at home, fame away, but Willie didn't like all the attention. What he wanted most in the world was time and space to do what he did best.

Autobiographical in nature.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

aw shucks, i loooove this book

[Caryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is an okay story - kids will enjoy the pics, but the storyline is more for adults, i think.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The greatest thing about this book is that it was actually written by Norman Rockwell, not just illustrated by him. It's also a great story in that it celebrates individuality.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

More for little kids. Nice to read again though.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little story about being yourself and discovering your own special talents. It's also about how your talents could become exploited, in a way. An anti-conformity story for children.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story. Willie was adorable :-)

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this book at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA; how fitting! I bought this for my granddaughter.