What do you think?
Rate this book
You Can Do It, Bert!
Bert has been preparing for this for a long time. He is ready, mentally and physically. But before he takes the plunge, he might need a bit of encouragement from his friends. You can do it, Bert!
Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
March 31, 2025
Tot really got into this one. I found it's simplicity charming.
March 2, 2015
"You Can Do It, Bert!" is a motivational and simplistic childrens book. Bert is a bird that might need some encouragement from his friends when it comes to plunging himself into the unknown. He tries to stall the adventure by using tactics to by him time such as "Im Hungry" and then proceeds to go eat a banana. Its not long before he realizes that he can do it. His friends give him confidence to jumped into the swimming pool.
This book is about one overcoming a difficult fear and trying something new. It delivers a powerful message to young kids about reassuring them to not feel reluctant when wanting to try new things. Im sure many kids can connect to this story and tell about a time when they were afraid to do something which opens up for a great conversation after the book has been read. Its fun and exciting to read because you expect one things to happen when at the end something completely different takes place. This is a great message to teach t young kids, don't be afraid to go for it, and you are capable of anything especially with the support of your friends. Friendship, adventure and challenge are all displayed throughout this short story.
The illustrations in this book are simple but bold. There is so much emotion that is conveyed through the characters face especially the eyebrows. The amazingly simple illustrations and vibrant facial expressions make for a pleasant story. His pictures match his text, theres not much to them but they are very effective. the bright color scheme accompanied by a lump some of white space leave room for the child's imagination. He does a good job of only drawing what is essential to the story, he relies on the colors and facial expressions of the characters to allow the reader to feel how Bert is feeling.
This book is about one overcoming a difficult fear and trying something new. It delivers a powerful message to young kids about reassuring them to not feel reluctant when wanting to try new things. Im sure many kids can connect to this story and tell about a time when they were afraid to do something which opens up for a great conversation after the book has been read. Its fun and exciting to read because you expect one things to happen when at the end something completely different takes place. This is a great message to teach t young kids, don't be afraid to go for it, and you are capable of anything especially with the support of your friends. Friendship, adventure and challenge are all displayed throughout this short story.
The illustrations in this book are simple but bold. There is so much emotion that is conveyed through the characters face especially the eyebrows. The amazingly simple illustrations and vibrant facial expressions make for a pleasant story. His pictures match his text, theres not much to them but they are very effective. the bright color scheme accompanied by a lump some of white space leave room for the child's imagination. He does a good job of only drawing what is essential to the story, he relies on the colors and facial expressions of the characters to allow the reader to feel how Bert is feeling.
October 20, 2015
The anticipation builds as Bert approaches the edge of a tree limb and prepares to leap. Just when it looks as though he's ready to do it, he heads back for a snack, and seems to be putting off making that big leap. When he determinedly steps off the branch, young readers are expecting him to fly upward or to land in a thud on the ground. Instead, his downward spiral results in a splash as he hits the water where all his friends await, calling out encouragement. (And don't we all need that sort of thing?) As readers see all the other animals climbing onto the branch that makes a perfect diving platform, they realize that diving into the unknown, even when it is just a pool, can be a bit frightening. I enjoyed how the author/illustrator played around with my expectations about what was coming. Even with a brief picture book, it's delightful to be surprised by a twist in the story.
March 15, 2016
This is a fun tale about taking a leap of faith and trying something new. It's good to face our fears, whether it's learning to fly...or something else. The simple tale has a fun plot twist that we thought was terrific; in fact, our youngest read it a couple of times just to relive the effect of the surprise.
This is an English-language version of a German story, and I was very impressed with how well the story comes across. Granted, the narrative is quite basic, but sometimes books lose something in the translation.
The illustrations are fairly simple and sparse. The birds are cartoonish and we loved the expressions on Bert's face. Overall, it's an engaging and humorous story and we really enjoyed reading it together.
This is an English-language version of a German story, and I was very impressed with how well the story comes across. Granted, the narrative is quite basic, but sometimes books lose something in the translation.
The illustrations are fairly simple and sparse. The birds are cartoonish and we loved the expressions on Bert's face. Overall, it's an engaging and humorous story and we really enjoyed reading it together.
November 25, 2015
I really liked this one and the parents and children enjoyed it as well. Win!
March 27, 2018
Y'all........this book is so cute. I love the artwork, I love the story, and I absolutely adore Bert. I love the simplicity of it all, the calmness of the page versus Bert's obvious inner turmoil about jumping for the first time. This is a great book for kids about to try something new, or who are nervous about something. It's definitely worth the read.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
May 25, 2018
Miss 3 didn't like it (and probably didn't really get the contrast between the expectation that he is trying to fly and the actuality that he is trying to dive into a pool).
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
November 6, 2017
This is a cute, simple picture book with a surprise half way through. Bert is a bird out on a tree limb, who along with the encouragements of the narrator, is trying to psych himself into jumping off. The reader is lead to believe that he is learning how to fly for the first time, but there is a twist in the plot that puts a smile on the reader’s face.
- Miss Emily
- Miss Emily
January 11, 2018
What a great story for young ones just trying something they find frightening for the first time! Love the encouraging friends! This is another one of those stories that has a fun twist ending! The Illustrations are bright and bold and silly! Story is relatively short, but amusing! Kids and parents alike will enjoy this happy little book!
May 17, 2025
Can Bert take a leap of faith into the unknown? Well, maybe after some preparation, a snack, some encouragement, and a lot of support from his friends. Simple illustrations focus on Bert’s decision-making process and employ clever use of white space to foil reader expectations in a delightful way.
March 3, 2017
Short, funny book. Easy to keep kids' attention with this one.
June 28, 2017
So cute!
September 30, 2017
I don't think I would have thought of this book for toddler storytime until I saw someone else use it so successfully. It's surprisingly very fun when you get into it.
November 9, 2017
Very simple, very fun story of a bird named Bert who is learning to...fly?
January 2, 2018
Sweet story. Tells about a bird that promised he would do something and followed through in the end (even if he was scared a little bit).
June 5, 2018
Simple, but cute. I like the surprise at the end.
June 28, 2018
I read this book from a recommended reading list. It wasn't to my tastes.
BUT. One of the things this book did well was go against reader expectation. I appreciated that.
BUT. One of the things this book did well was go against reader expectation. I appreciated that.
December 22, 2018
Simple, short, sweet.
March 22, 2019
Easy to read, great illustrations, and a really cute story. We were all convinced he was attempting to fly!
July 16, 2020
A little bird named Bert faces his fears!
March 17, 2021
Darling
January 8, 2024
Bert is nervous to jump off the branch. Simple. With a swerve toward the end.
April 26, 2024
Bert needs to complete a challenge, but he seems a bit reluctant about it!
With some encouragement though, he manages!
Funny, engaging story :)
With some encouragement though, he manages!
Funny, engaging story :)
June 14, 2024
Kids enjoyed the unexpected ending
October 19, 2024
Il était drôle 😍😃😀🤩🫢🫢😉😃😄😅
February 25, 2025
Simple and cute. The surprise element would make it a fun read aloud/storytime.
February 5, 2026
Hoy es un día muy importante para mi ma y la celebro por su decisión 🌱 Este libro se le apareció y la ayudó a dar el salto.
April 10, 2015
Bert is ready, he knows just what to do. He approaches the end of the branch, and… decides he needs a running start. Here he comes! Wait, he’s got a banana for a snack. He looks over the edge again and after a little yelling from the narrator in encouragement, he dashes right off the end of the branch! He’s worried on the way down, down, down until he hits the water. The other birds are right there saying they always knew he could do it and together they head up to jump off again.
This wonderful twist on a first flight book will take children by surprise. The book captures the dread and then the wonder of taking a plunge in life, literally. Children who are trying new things will find encouragement in this little orange bird who has enough personality for multiple books. Throughout the text is spare and told in the voice of an observing narrator, who uses all sorts of tones to encourage the little bird on his way. This makes for a great read aloud.
The art too is simple and bright. Most of it is Bert alone on the one branch, with plenty of white space around him. Readers will envision right from the beginning Bert launching into that blankness and flying off. It is the space around the illustrations that help with the subtle deception and assumptions. It’s cleverly designed and will work well with groups of children thanks to its large format and clarity.
Great read aloud and a great addition to story times and units on taking risks. It will also make a great one to mix into books on flying! Appropriate for ages 3-5.
This wonderful twist on a first flight book will take children by surprise. The book captures the dread and then the wonder of taking a plunge in life, literally. Children who are trying new things will find encouragement in this little orange bird who has enough personality for multiple books. Throughout the text is spare and told in the voice of an observing narrator, who uses all sorts of tones to encourage the little bird on his way. This makes for a great read aloud.
The art too is simple and bright. Most of it is Bert alone on the one branch, with plenty of white space around him. Readers will envision right from the beginning Bert launching into that blankness and flying off. It is the space around the illustrations that help with the subtle deception and assumptions. It’s cleverly designed and will work well with groups of children thanks to its large format and clarity.
Great read aloud and a great addition to story times and units on taking risks. It will also make a great one to mix into books on flying! Appropriate for ages 3-5.
June 3, 2016
Know someone who is starting out on a new adventure in their life? Starting school? Graduating? Moving? Beginning a new job or going overseas on a long trip? Well this book is a perfect gift to share with them.
This delightful book showcases Bert, an adorable, and brave (well he thinks he's brave) little bird. He is confident that he is mentally and physically prepared for what lays ahead of him... but is he?
Head down... eyes focused...brute determination cranked up to "Yes I can!!"... Bert is off and running. But oh my, Bert gets to the edge of the limb of the tree and all his confidence leaks out like a deflating balloon. He abruptly does an about face and walks back towards his nest unable to take the plunge into midair and land in the water below. He proceeds to eat a banana to calm down, tosses the peel over his shoulder, then peers over the edge. It looks like an awful long way down but cheered on by his friends below he closes his eyes, and jumps!!! Can Bert do it? Will he succeed? I hear him feebly yell..."help!" Did he make it safely?
His encouraging friends hear a splash and with relief in their voices say to Bert:
"I always knew he'd do it."
"Me too."
"You can count on Bert."
Bert doesn't need a floating device when he enters the water because his little chest is so puffed up with pride at his accomplishment that he becomes one.
The illustrations are minimal and the message is positive and will resonate with those heading off into the unknown. Yes they too can do it! I highly recommend this book.
This delightful book showcases Bert, an adorable, and brave (well he thinks he's brave) little bird. He is confident that he is mentally and physically prepared for what lays ahead of him... but is he?
Head down... eyes focused...brute determination cranked up to "Yes I can!!"... Bert is off and running. But oh my, Bert gets to the edge of the limb of the tree and all his confidence leaks out like a deflating balloon. He abruptly does an about face and walks back towards his nest unable to take the plunge into midair and land in the water below. He proceeds to eat a banana to calm down, tosses the peel over his shoulder, then peers over the edge. It looks like an awful long way down but cheered on by his friends below he closes his eyes, and jumps!!! Can Bert do it? Will he succeed? I hear him feebly yell..."help!" Did he make it safely?
His encouraging friends hear a splash and with relief in their voices say to Bert:
"I always knew he'd do it."
"Me too."
"You can count on Bert."
Bert doesn't need a floating device when he enters the water because his little chest is so puffed up with pride at his accomplishment that he becomes one.
The illustrations are minimal and the message is positive and will resonate with those heading off into the unknown. Yes they too can do it! I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews