Bird Boy

by Matthew Burgess, Shahrzad Maydani (Contributor)

Take flight in this heartwarming story about a boy who learns to be true to himself at school while following his love of nature.

Nico was new, and nervous about going to school. Everyone knew what to do and where to go, but Nico felt a little lost.

So, he did what he loved to
Watched the insects
Sat in the grass
And most importantly... befriended the birds.

Before he knew it, Nico was known as BIRD BOY. But Nico didn't mind. Soon, he made one friend, then two, as the other kids learned to appreciate Nico for who he was. Before long, Nico learned he could be completely, delighfully, himself. This dreamy story will encourage all readers to express who they are unapologetically.

Genres: Picture Books, Birds, Friendship, Childrens, School, Animals, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2021

Reviews

[zara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this story! I’ve been looking for children’s books about conflict transformation, and what I loved about this one was that, instead of attempting to resolve things with the children who were calling Nico names, Nico focused on his own experience and then turns toward building friendships. The message I took away is that we don’t always have to try to work things out with people who are hurting us!! We can choose fulfilling relationships instead! Love that for Nico.

[A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story: 5 Stars
Art: 1

I am CRUSHED not to be able to recommend this tenderly crafted story. I love the premise, and Nico's peaceful self-confidence, and his journey to finding friends who not only accept but celebrate who he is AS he is.

The disability representation, which is not a plot point but a serious detraction, will keep me from sharing Nico's story. Why on earth would you depict a child on a poorly detailed wheelchair plopped, unattached, on a wooden platform for a swing? If you're going to pay so little attention to detail please just don't bother including disability rep to begin with.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...

BIRD BOY is a sweet picture book about being yourself and embracing your differences. Nico is the new kid in school, and although he feels left out, he finds his own things to do at recess, including attracting the birds. Soon, the other children call him Bird Boy, but birds are so cool that he is happy to own it. Recognizing his kindness, he soon makes friends who love him just as he is.

What I love: This is a simple and elegant picture book that demonstrates the power of embracing yourself and owning your own differences. Nico could feel left out or be bothered by the other children teasing him, but instead, he thinks about all the amazing birds and stays true to himself. Before he knows it, he has made some new friends who embrace him as he is. With imaginative imagery and diverse characters, this is a lovely and encouraging picture book for children who may feel left out or different. The poetic language and sketch-like images will spark imaginations and hopefully encourage children to love themselves and find their true friends.

Final verdict: A heartfelt and encouraging picture book, BIRD BOY is the story of owning your differences and embracing who you are.

Please note that I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Christian Frakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic book on being who you want to be. The story is about the main character, Nico. He was the new kid, so often he was alone and felt lost because everyone else already knew what to do. At recess, he would sit alone, unlike all the other kids who "huddled up together, whispering" or playing sports. One day, when Nico sat outside at recess, a bird came up to him, then another. The students started to make fun of him, calling him "Bird Boy." Nico knew they were making fun of him, and the words did hurt, but then he decided he wouldn't let the words hurt him, and instead started to embrace the name. The book takes us on an adventure through Nico's imagination, using imagery and illustration to show Nico as all kinds of different birds, as he grows into his personality and is delightfully himself.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a bit drawn to stories about new kids in schools. I understand the isolation, the fear, the angst that goes along with that as so many of my students come in throughout the year and sit in that place of being the new kid.

Nico wholeheartedly embraces himself so that when he is teased by others for his quiet nature that seems engaging and interesting to birds, he uses that moniker as his own. He embraces it and gains strength in the strengths of different types of birds. Kindness and patience will win in the end in most stories as it does in this one. Matthew Burgess writes a beautiful tale that is so diversely illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani that it allows for more discussion than just the idea that we are all uniquely special. Make sure to share this book with your art teachers as it is filled with wonderful and interesting sketches throughout.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle nudge to young readers about the importance of individuality, being true to oneself, and seeing the goodness within. Nico, the beguiling young protagonist, is new at school, unsure of procedures and hesitant to make friends. His own latent naturalist tendencies, ostensibly loner material at first, gradually draw other would-be pals to observe with him the wonder of a bird, a bug, a sunbeam. Attracted to Nico's joie de vivre, other class outliers join him to form an impromptu posse of joyous bird boys and girls. Bravo, Nico, and bravo to his beautiful soul!

[charlene.librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The watercolor and colored pencil make soft and vibrant pictures of Nico and his classmates, also, flowers, grasses, and of course, birds. The illustration communicates a gentleness about Nico that's apropo to the story. The energy of some of the spreads is also soft somehow as well as full of movement. Nico's new friends "were drawn to Nico's kindness, the wild flight of his imagination, and the way he could be both a bird and completely, delightfully himself." What a fine boy he must be!

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being the new kid in school is never easy especially when you get teased and nicknamed "Bird Boy." But even though Nico wants to fit in, he can't help his flights of fancy and, soon, his classmates are drawn by inner confidence and want to become his friend!

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The new boy at school is very shy and is given the nickname Bird Boy because birds come up to visit him at recess. He takes the nickname to heart and imagines himself as all sorts of birds as he goes about his daily life. He gradually makes friends with his new classmates.

[Kelly Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story for a child entering a new school or one who is experiencing bullying. It's written in lovely free-form poetry. Mixed media illustrations (watercolor and colored pencil) are whimsical, but maybe a little underdeveloped.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet picture book about a young boy finding his place at a new school. There are themes of being different, imagination, accepting your identity and friendship. Diversity is also implied via the illustrations.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about being yourself, friendship & the importance of not teasing others

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not as great as it could have been.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful reminder to just be yourself.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet and encouraging about embracing what’s true for you. Pictures and words match each other’s mood perfectly. Also love message of how others will be drawn to your kindness.

[Opetoritse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The abstract artwork and freeform verse narrative compliment each other to great effect in this imaginative story about embracing one's uniqueness.

[Carrie Jacobs]

Inclusion of differently-abled kids was awesome.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful book about a new kid at school, who attracts birds and gains the nickname “bird boy.” It suits him. Love the artwork!

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about embracing one's own uniqueness.

[skcocnaH · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I appreciate the inclusivity, but the prose was kinda meh for me. Decent message though.

[Jordyn]

bird, boy, friend, be you

[adeservingporcupine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great art and a sweet, simple story.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delightfully lovely read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the new kids at a school. Be yourself and you will make friends.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child rises above bullying comments and makes friends with those who respect him for who he is.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
A boy gains the name bird boy because he's a quiet loner - but he doesn't mind

[Jordan Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations & a great book for our kids who are often the “new kids” at school