Blue the Bird: On Flying

by Becky Due

Blue the Bird does not want to fly. Follow Blue's journey of self-discovery, as Blue learns a lesson on self-esteem and independence. This delightful book is designed to help teach shapes and colors. Blue the Bird was a finalist in the Violet Crown / Teddy Book Awards 2007.

38 pages, Hardcover

Published February 15, 2006

About the author

Becky Due is an award-winning author, abstract artist, fitness enthusiast, and introvert who loves people.

Becky has been a guest on national TV and radio programs, and the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles for empowering women. She has served as a guest speaker at women’s resource centers, shelters, colleges and high schools throughout the United States and worked as a victim’s advocate where she offered assistance and support to rape victims. In 2007, she started Women Going Forward, the first national women’s telephone support group, which ran for two years. After receiving much recognition and awards for her books, Becky’s focus turned back to writing.   

Reviews

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue the Bird does not want to fly. Instead he hitches rides on the backs of his friends. Eventually they get tired of carrying him and leave Blue to join other friends who can fly. Blue then begins his voyage of self discovery.

This book was a finalist in the Violet Crown / Teddy Book Awards 2007 and it is easy to see why. The book in essence is a lesson in independence and self-esteem written in an entertaining manner with bold colours and large font.

I would recommend it for Early years (whole class reading) and well as KS1. Good addition to the bookshelf for individual and group work. It is versatile enough to use cross-circularly.



EYFS - PRIME AREA of communication and language: listening and attention, understanding and speaking and links to PSE: managing feelings and behaviour and making relationships (specific to this story of Blue) SPECIFIC AREA: LITERACY with links to Reading and Writing and MATHEMATICS: discussing the use of shape, space and measures (Blue riding on the backs of his friends and what he learned about this). This could also links with EXPRESSIVE ARTS AND DESIGN where the children can explore using media and materials and imagination to represent their ideas about the story - which in turn is useful for individual, peer and teacher assessment.

KS1 English- EN1/SPEAKING AND LISTENING/1-10:(building on early learning goals - with extreme caution and care for H&S needed for (4) Drama - not to climb on each other's backs!); EN2/READING/1,3,4,5,6; EN3 WRITING/1-12.

EN1/1b links with Mathematics, especially KS1 Ma3/1a-f: Space, shape and measures:based on story.

You can also link this to KS1 Sc 1b-c: Life processes and Sc2 e,f,g: Humans and other animals.

[Mymcbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue is a bird that didn’t want to fly. Blue will fly on the backs of his friends. When they could no longer carry Blue because it wasn’t fun they left Blue and flew with other friends who can fly. Want to know if Blue ever flew then buy the book.

I love this book because not only is it educational, it teaches children about shapes and colors. It also will help children to overcome their fear, the importance of being independent and self-esteem. Every child will enjoy reading this book because of its bold text and colors. I highly recommend this book for classroom teaching.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue does not want to learn to fly and so he does not. He hitches rides with his friends. His friends leave him. Blue decides he will hitch a ride with an unsuspecting bird but discovers that is not a good idea and he has to save them both. Blue finds out he can do what he fears and it makes him independent.

This is a wonderful book for the little ones. It teaches them it is good to be independent. It also teaches that it is okay to be afraid but to try whatever anyway. Nice illustrations also.