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Bunny and Bird Stories
Will You Be My Friend? A Bunny and Bird Story
Although Bunny is interested in becoming Bird's friend, Bird is too shy to try, yet after a storm ruins Bird's nest and Bunny comes to assist, a special friendship is suddenly formed between them.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2000
2 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Tafuri
67 books57 followersNancy Tafuri is probably best known as the creator of Have You Seen My Duckling?, a 1985 Caldecott Honor Book described by Parent’s Choice as “beautifully precise yet emotionally affecting.” Trained as a graphic designer, Tafuri has authored more than 45 books over 30 years for the very young.
When Tafuri first attempted picture book illustration in the late 1970’s picture books were aimed at five-, six-, and seven-year-olds. Tafuri’s images were considered “too graphic” for children that age. “The pictures are too big,” she was told over and over about the large, colorful shapes she drew. Finally, Tafuri’s talent was recognized and tapped at Greenwillow Books, Harper Collins Publishers.
Since then she has had the opportunity to work with Scholastic Press, Scholastic Inc., Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division and most recently Little, Brown Books For Young Readers, Little, Brown and Company.
Tafuri was born in Brooklyn, New York. For the first ten years of her life she was an only child and says that this helped her to learn to entertain herself with stories and art.
Tafuri entered the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1964. Her first job was as an assistant art director for the publishing firm Simon & Schuster. She left two years later and married Thomas Tafuri, a fellow student at the School of Visual Arts.
The Tafuri’s opened their own graphic design studio, in 1971. Their primary product was dust jackets for hardcover books. They opened their business in New York City, but eventually moved their studio and home to Connecticut.
At this time, Nancy was able to devote all of her time to writing and illustration.
When Tafuri finally found herself illustrating children’s books, either her own or other authors’, she felt she had found her life’s calling and a strong sense of joy from creating them. She loves to take a small portion of the text and create a visual representation that children can grasp and remember. In 1989, when Cristina was born, Nancy began to feel even more strongly motivated to illustrate for children. Her work seemed even more important and more personal.
“I feel honored to be creating literature for young children. Seeing how very important the early years are in a person’s life, I can only hope that my books can contribute in some small way to that growth, with the feelings that I hope I project within those pages, through line, color, shape, and story.”
When Tafuri first attempted picture book illustration in the late 1970’s picture books were aimed at five-, six-, and seven-year-olds. Tafuri’s images were considered “too graphic” for children that age. “The pictures are too big,” she was told over and over about the large, colorful shapes she drew. Finally, Tafuri’s talent was recognized and tapped at Greenwillow Books, Harper Collins Publishers.
Since then she has had the opportunity to work with Scholastic Press, Scholastic Inc., Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division and most recently Little, Brown Books For Young Readers, Little, Brown and Company.
Tafuri was born in Brooklyn, New York. For the first ten years of her life she was an only child and says that this helped her to learn to entertain herself with stories and art.
Tafuri entered the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1964. Her first job was as an assistant art director for the publishing firm Simon & Schuster. She left two years later and married Thomas Tafuri, a fellow student at the School of Visual Arts.
The Tafuri’s opened their own graphic design studio, in 1971. Their primary product was dust jackets for hardcover books. They opened their business in New York City, but eventually moved their studio and home to Connecticut.
At this time, Nancy was able to devote all of her time to writing and illustration.
When Tafuri finally found herself illustrating children’s books, either her own or other authors’, she felt she had found her life’s calling and a strong sense of joy from creating them. She loves to take a small portion of the text and create a visual representation that children can grasp and remember. In 1989, when Cristina was born, Nancy began to feel even more strongly motivated to illustrate for children. Her work seemed even more important and more personal.
“I feel honored to be creating literature for young children. Seeing how very important the early years are in a person’s life, I can only hope that my books can contribute in some small way to that growth, with the feelings that I hope I project within those pages, through line, color, shape, and story.”
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 11, 2013
This is a cute story that can give children confidence to make new friends. Bird was worried about talking to bird, but once she finally did she realized that she had some great friends.This is a great way to show that while it may be scary to do something you have to take a chance because it could turn into something amazing.
April 29, 2009
Very sweet book for little ones (2-3) about friendship, rabbits, rain and rebuilding birds ruined nest. Simple language, big text and lovely giant illustrations. Great for a story time about bunnies, birds, friendship, rain or homes.
July 8, 2011
Will You Be My Friend? A Bunny and Bird Story by Nancy Tafuri is the first in this series about two animals who both live in an apple tree: Shy Bird up high and Bunny in a hole at ground level. When a rainstorm ruins Bird's nest, Bunny invites her in, and helps her, along with Chipmunk and Squirrel, to rebuild her nest. Bird overcomes her shyness and discovers friendship with Bunny.
The large font and a good amount of repetition makes this a solid choice for beginning and transitional readers. Use of simple language also makes this a good choice for young listeners and readers.
The classic, large illustrations in watercolors and ink are the highlight of this book. One page is printed side to side and helps indicate the heighth of the tree. Two mice never mentioned are seen on many pages.
This is a sweet, gentle look at friendship that will appeal to younger readers and listeners.
For ages 2 to 6, friendship, rabbits, birds, animals, rain, home themes, and fans of Nancy Tafuri.
The large font and a good amount of repetition makes this a solid choice for beginning and transitional readers. Use of simple language also makes this a good choice for young listeners and readers.
The classic, large illustrations in watercolors and ink are the highlight of this book. One page is printed side to side and helps indicate the heighth of the tree. Two mice never mentioned are seen on many pages.
This is a sweet, gentle look at friendship that will appeal to younger readers and listeners.
For ages 2 to 6, friendship, rabbits, birds, animals, rain, home themes, and fans of Nancy Tafuri.
June 27, 2014
This book is about a bunny and a bird who live in the same tree. Bird lives up at the top of the tree and bunny lives at the bottom of the tree. Bunny wants to be friends with Bird but Bird is too shy to go down to Bunny's hole. During a rain storm, Bunny invited Bird to his hole to stay dry from the rain. Bird takes the chance and goes down to Bunny's home at the bottom of the tree. The next day when Bird went back to his home it was wet and soggy. Bird needed to make a new home so Bunny offered to help him find new materials to build a home. Bird ended up with a bunch of new friends and a new home. This book is good for teaching friendship skills to children. It shows how helping others can make people feel better and that making friends can be done by doing things together.
January 20, 2016
This is a lovely book about two creatures who live in the same tree. Bunny likes to listen to Bird sing but Bird is very shy. When Bunny asks to be friends she's overwhelmed and doesn't respond. But when a severe rain storm hits their tree and Bird's nest is flooded, Bunny steps in and invites her to share his home. Through Bunny's act of kindness and the help of other forest creatures to help repair her nest, Bird comes to realize that though making friends can be scary it is worth the effort. Great story line and the pictures are simply lovely.
April 17, 2014
Bunny and Bird live in the same tree. Bunny wants to be friends with Bird but Bird is just too shy. One day a storm hits and bird is all wet and his home is ruined so Bunny offers him a place to stay and when the storm is over gathers more friends to help rebuild Bird's home.
This is a wonderful story about friendship and helping each other out when help is needed. The illustrations are soft and sweet and add a warm feeling to the book.
This is a wonderful story about friendship and helping each other out when help is needed. The illustrations are soft and sweet and add a warm feeling to the book.
December 2, 2015
This book starts off with a bird and a bunny. The bunny in this story is trying to make friends with the bird but the bird is too shy. Things get a little messy for the bird when rain starts pouring in his little hole on top of the tree. Bunny helps the bird by letting him sleep in his big hole at the bottom of the tree. The next day the bird was very sad to find his wet and soggy bed. What the bunny does next is what all children should look for in a friend. I think this is a great example of how younger students should treat others. This book shows great character among different animals.
I was very drawn to this book because it showed others to be polite and always give a helping hand and who knows maybe you can make new friends. I believe this book would be great for young beginner readers between ages 4 and 6. This book was very easy to read with large font and very descriptive illustrations. I loved how in the middle of the book the page turned the different way. It made it a little bit more fun to read.
I was very drawn to this book because it showed others to be polite and always give a helping hand and who knows maybe you can make new friends. I believe this book would be great for young beginner readers between ages 4 and 6. This book was very easy to read with large font and very descriptive illustrations. I loved how in the middle of the book the page turned the different way. It made it a little bit more fun to read.
January 31, 2018
This is an adorable book about Bunny, who wants to be friends with Bird, but she is a little shy at first. Then when a storm comes and ruins Bird's nest Bunny helps out and offers her a warm and dry place to stay. Then, along with some other animals, Bunny helps Bird rebuild her nest.
This was a great story to discuss what working together can accomplish. It's also a good story to talk about how it's okay to feel shy but, even times when we are feeling shy we might be able to make a really good friend.
This was a great story to discuss what working together can accomplish. It's also a good story to talk about how it's okay to feel shy but, even times when we are feeling shy we might be able to make a really good friend.
February 1, 2018
A sweet intro on being both friendly and overcoming shyness.
Ages: 3 - 7
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Ages: 3 - 7
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
June 8, 2011
It is sometimes hard to make friends. You may be shy or the other person may be shy. If one ever comes upon a person who needs help, help them. This can be taught to students. If a person trips ask them if they are okay, if they are, help them up and if they aren't, get help. More examples can be provided.
August 7, 2013
Nancy Tafuri's charming animal illustrations come together again in a bunny and bird story. Friendship, overcoming shyness, and working together are all themes touched on in this story. A bit long for younger listeners, and rather sappy for my taste. There are better books by this author such as, 'All Kinds of Kisses.'
August 15, 2017
Bunny and Bird live in the same apple tree. When Bunny asks Bird to be friends, she is too shy and hides in her little hole. During a big storm, Bird's nest gets all wet and she starts to cry. Bunny hears her and invites her to wait out the storm in his bigger dry hole at the bottom of the tree. New friends abound!
Good for toddler or preschool storytimes.
Good for toddler or preschool storytimes.
June 22, 2011
A great book about making friends it was so sweet and really liked it a whole lot!
August 27, 2016
Sweet. Friends and their help is a good thing.
May 9, 2020
Read during a preschool class visit to the Rec. Center Cooperative Play Program on 10/17/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
October 15, 2013
A really cute story. Definitely a good story for any friendship based theme. Beautiful artwork and writing style.
January 12, 2014
Cute story but it's too wordy.
October 22, 2014
Perfect for preschoolers and talking about friendship.
May 5, 2015
He loved this story. About shyness and becoming friends and being helpful.
September 23, 2015
a mostly boring story about a bird and a bunny
March 24, 2016
Really cute book with beautiful & sweet illustrations. A shy bird becomes friends with an outgoing bunny. Story is about friendship, loss, asking for help/accepting help, & trust.
September 26, 2016
A cute friendship story with lovely illustrations. A little long for storytime, but I found a nice place to stop that seemed just as natural as the actual end.
March 11, 2017
Friendship
Friends help each other out, in whatever way they can.
Friends help each other out, in whatever way they can.
December 9, 2017
what a cute little story! even as an adult I still like to read the kiddie stories sometimes....and the illustrations are very well done too....wonderful colors
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2018
Very sweet, a good book to read to shy children.
July 28, 2020
Very sweet story about friendship....
September 8, 2023
Copyright in 2000, this title is not the typical offering from Tafuri’s previous titles. This one has more text which is rather choppy and the animals are smaller and lots of white space on the pages. Colors are not as deep. I prefer her previous titles to this particular one.
Scott County PL. Georgetown, KY
Scott County PL. Georgetown, KY
November 20, 2019
This is a cute story about a bird and a bunny who are opposites in many ways. The pictures are clear and attractive and the story is about problem solving and getting along regardless of differences. This book can be used to talk about animals, opposites, weather, or even being helpful.
January 6, 2021
Bird and Bunny both live in the same tree. Bunny wants to be friends, but Bird is very shy. When a rain storm forces Bird to take shelter in Bunny's home...Bird realizes that there are wonderful creatures in the world and that Bunny is a great friend.
Storytime:
Friends / Friendship
Storytime:
Friends / Friendship
August 3, 2019
This is a very sweet and tender story of friendship.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews