Blue

by Suzanne Kaufman

This sweet story about a child’s magical night with a blue heron is the perfect dreamy bedtime story for little ones.

One summer morning, Boy wakes up to discover Blue. Curious, he follows this mysterious bird on a day’s worth of adventure, play, and exploring the nooks and crannies of their coastal home. And at night, they soar, with hands and wings reaching for the stars. But as the sunrise peeks out, Boy is forced to say goodbye to Blue. For now.

In this gentle and touching story, New York Times bestselling illustrator Suzanne Kaufman proves that love can transcend all boundaries.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Animals, Birds, Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

Published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[Patricia Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful detailed illustrations and end papers. The last page is the sweetest. The story is very charming and great for bedtime.

[Tayler K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm afraid I didn't quite get this one. Is it supposed to be about a real bird? An imaginary friend? Both? Saying goodbye? Death? The bittersweet impermanence of all things which threatens to overwhelm every sweet moment with the fear that nothing ever lasts???

Beautiful illustrations. (Heck of a lot of media types listed in the making-of note too. Is "sticks" an art tool I've never heard of or actual outdoor sticks we're painting with?)

2025 Staff Summer Reading Challenge
- Read a book with a one-word title.
- Read a book with a color in the title.
- Read a book published within the last year.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I'd love nothing more than to be a visual-arts creator, especially one of this calibre, such skills do carry with them the mixed blessing of having amazing illustrations nearly overwhelm equally gorgeous text. That's especially true when the text has been honed to such excellence. Not a syllable or word or line more than necessary to enhance and ignite even further the jubilant scenes and storytelling of the visual narrative.
With a high-booted universal-ish child and an utterly authentic BLUE HERON in displays and activities that reveal the nature and brilliance of the species, readers splash right onto the page for an exuberant celebration of friendship and shared joy.
Only because i have lived on a waterfront with some nearly-tame herons would I imagine this is anything other than fantasy. Instead I see it as magical realism, with depictions of authentic images, interactions, posturing, and scenes that ultimately launch into fantastical imaginings.
With that cycle of a full day, the adventures resolve into a powerfully soothing, peace-filled bedtime conclusion.
As noted, the images alone provide that story, and yet the superbly suited minimal text make the experience even more engaging.

[Elayne Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immediately after reading Suzanne Kaufman's, "Blue," I thought of a quote (apparently by Christopher Moore), "Children see magic because they look for it," which I might amend to: "We see magic when we look for it," because one doesn't have to be a child to see the magic this gorgeous tale!

Lovingly illustrated, the story of a boy who conjures a friendship with a heron he has named Blue is a breathtaking flight of fancy. He and Blue spend their every waking moment together--but as night approaches, so, too, does the unavoidable end to their fun.

(Or...does it?)

Fantastical enough to be thrilling, and yet, assuasive enough to capture the snug feeling of being tucked in, it's the perfect bedtime read.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A boy communes with a Great Blue Heron on sea shore, culminating in a magical nighttime flight.

It is not clear until the boy climbs on the heron's back, and they fly away, whether or not what was happening was "real" with a tame bird, a dream, an act of imagination, or fantasy. The final two page spread and the rear endpapers make it clear that it was a dream all along.

There are blue herons along the river where I live, and I appreciated that someone else loved blue herons

The illustrations were done in pencil, charcoal, watercolors, pastels, brush pen, and sticks on watercolor paper.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy shares his day with a majestic blue heron called, of course, Blue. They frolic. They explore. They swim. They even eat lunch together. Then it is nighttime and Blue flies away only to return and take the boy on a spectacular flight.

Then the boy is back in his room - snuggling his stuffed blue heron, dreaming about more adventures with his magical friend.

The book has ovely illustrations so it could be a Caldecott contender.

Pair with Next to Me for interesting bedtime reading. Or just quiet time, contemplative books.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic picture book featuring a little boy and a great blue heron. It begins at sun rise and goes through the day then a magical adventure during the night. I reminds me of the magic of Moon River. The illustrations are in pencil, charcoal, watercolors, pastels, brush pen, and sticks, on watercolor paper.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a beautifully poetic journey of a young boy and a blue heron, "Blue". They venture along, finding new things to see and do! Kaufman's illustrations bring the story's lovely words to our eyes, allows us to be that "third" person on the trip! And, it also would be fun to have children in a group create their own unique journeys with another companion! It's a lovely, imaginative storybook!

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

This was a solid 3 star book for me until the last page. The last page caused me to say "aww cute" out loud despite nobody being around except my cats haha.

I think the illustrations are really pretty and whimsical and the main character embraces nature in such a freeing way.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great blue herons who live around my neighborhood are a source of enjoyment and fascination for me, so I was naturally motivated to pick up this magical fantasy of a child who befriends and goes flying with a giant heron. Would make a sweet bedtime story!

[Emily Haage · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Beautiful watercolor-like illustrations paired with simple text following the friendship of a young boy and a blue heron. Starts realistically enough and then takes on a dream like quality.

Reminds me a bit of Molly Idle's Flora and the Flamingo.

[Victoria Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Hachette for the DRC of this book - Magic and a Great Blue Heron.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely ADORE this book!!!

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty, magical story of a kid bonding in reality and imagination with a great blue heron.

Themes: Birds, Imagination
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found in L4L Volume 165.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: B/2.5

A blue heron and a boy have an amazing adventure together.

[Y.Poston]

an gorgeously imaginative exploration of the flight
of a crane

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy goes on fantastic adventures with his Blue Heron. The illustrations are beautiful to say the least. And the ending? Pitch perfect.

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 143

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A boy spends a delightful day with his imagination and a blue heron. Whimsical, magical, touching.

[Deja Roden · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet lap read or bedtime book.

[Peg O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seeing this on a lot of lists, but just didn’t love it and think kids won’t quite get the story.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fictional story of dreams, magic, and friendship between a child and a blue heron. The illustrations are pure and whimsical and weave together the magic of the story.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

illustrations are lovely and text reads like poetry. Like endpapers and jaket reveal. I can se why those who do young kids storytime will love this more than I.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love birds and could see the joy of being able to relate to a wild creature. Blue is my favorite color and the illustrations were beautiful accomplished by pencil, charcoal, watercolors, pastels, brush pen, and sticks on watercolor paper.
Yes, this is a dream like story, but the point of the narrative is a bit obtuse to me.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy's adventure with a beautiful heron, part fantasy, part regional exploration in illustrations. A young boy spends all night with a beautiful heron visiting and viewing their coastal home. As the bird takes flight, the boy finds himself aloft on the wings of the bird, viewing the world from above, until finally landing in his soft cozy bed.