Dill & Bizzy: An Odd Duck and a Strange Bird

by Nora Ericson, Lisa Ericson (Illustrator)

Dill is a duck. A perfectly ordinary duck. At least that’s what he thinks. Then he meets Bizzy, a strange bird. Bizzy seems to think that Dill is actually an odd duck! Together, they find that they’re even more extra-ordinary than they could have imagined.

Perfect for anyone who has ever felt a little odd or a tad strange, this delightfully offbeat picture book celebrates the joy of finding a friend who lets you march (or waddle!) to the beat of your own drum.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Birds, Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 26, 2016

Reviews

[Chara Troutman EDUC378]

Text-to Teaching Connection :
I would use this book for a social- emotional activity. This book reminds me of a girl I knew in school who was really ordinary and stuck up. One day she ended asking me for a pencil in class. I was shocked, because I was different and considered myself odd. Anyways, we became really good friends and started hanging out. I will never forget, when she told me that I was one of the coolest people she knew and that I open her eyes to things she never considered. It's so weird how different we are, but are so close. She is like a big sister to me. I would create a puppet play for my students, to show them that there is nothing wrong with being different. The play will also demonstrate how to approach a new friends and how to engage with them. I would explain being odd or ordinary is ok. It just means we are different. Being the same is not fun. I really loved this book.

[Terry]

My kids thought it was hilarious. It was unexpected and funny with vivid and clever illustrations. They requested it again and again.

Everyone will enjoy the messages in this delightful picture book.

[Don Gubler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fun.

[Corinne Apezteguia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may be a little biased (Nora is in my critique group), but I think this book is adorable. I love books about unlikely friendships, and this one was particularly heart-warming. The illustrations are beautifully colorful and eye-catching... perfect for little ones. I purchased this for my eight year-old, worried she may have outgrown it, but she spent quite a while reading and re-reading it. Even my older kids read it and said they thought it was cute.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about a strange bird who wants to be friends with an odd duck. But he finds a duck who is just ordinary...The duck is a little bit odd for an ordinary duck. They decide to be friends anyway.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

One whole star for the depth of expression when the two birds look at each other lovingly in the last panel. (pretty darn cute book overall.)

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A duck and a bird are very opposite in personality and what they enjoy doing. Nonetheless, they are still able to enjoy one another as friends!

Illustrations are silly and fun.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a cute way to talk about what "normal" is. What does it mean to be an odd duck, and is that a good or a bad thing?

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.

View all my reviews

This book is a fun work of art between two sisters. Both of their work is new to me, but I'm delighted with it now that I've experienced it! Dill, an extraordinary duck and a delightfully strange bird Bizzy are at the start of a friendship. This would be a great read about the time of reading such friendship reads like picture books of a Kevin Henkes vein. The colors chosen are vibrant and not of the standard picture book. I won't hesitate to share this one with my girls.

I read an ARC in September 2015.
This review was originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ericson, Nora Dill & Bizzy: An Odd Duck and a Strange Bird, illustrated by Lisa Ericson. PICTURE BOOK. HarperCollins, 2016. $17.99. Content: G.

Dill is convinced he is a perfectly ordinary duck. But when Bizzy the strange bird shows up, she brings out Dill's uniqueness. If they stick together, they can have a very different -- and entertaining -- sort of fun.

This is a cute story about two friends showing the strengths in each other, and about how no one is really as "ordinary" as she or he might think. The illustrations are lively, and Dill and Bizzy are easy to cheer for.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the illustrations are crisp and bright, and the title proposes much to like about this uncommon friendship, the entire story feels overly long. Dill protests that he is an ordinary duck way too much and instead of being endearing, becomes exhausting. Children will long have this overly obvious point hammered home to them before they're halfway done with this book. There's no surprise in finding out that these two idiot birds end up together. Not recommended.

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

We had the author and illustrator, sister-duo, Nora and Lisa Ericson, at our store for their release party for their picture book. A fun story of different personalities and stepping out of one's perceived box to become friends. There's a sequel coming out next January. And I was really impressed by how many people came and I wish them all the best with this book!

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's so much to like about this book! The illustrations are darling, and very engaging for the kiddos. The story itself is great - it covers lots of important aspects of making friends: being willing to compromise (without losing your personality), how it's okay to not love all the same things, how trying new things can be fun, and more.

[Tasha Ericson ohotzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable tale of two unique birds is a timeless classic! It was a perfect tie in for our unit on point of view and has a wonderful theme. While the youngest of children will fall in love with this book, my third grade students also loved this book and especially enjoyed the vibrant illustrations. We can't wait to read Dill and Bizzy's next adventure!

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd and strange are in the eyes of the beholder, and a good friend is a good friend no matter what.

[Miss Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be biased since my college radio show name was "The Odd Duck" but I really liked this one. Equal parts sweet and zany :)

[Joy Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute
( but I wish they didn't write on the fountain)

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Too cute!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

a little long, would be fun for story time though

[Jenn Swanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was an adorable kid's picture book. The illustrations were adorable.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting concept and theme but honestly it gets my dreaded "It's fine" not great not bad in my opinion! Could be really fun for the right audience!