Scoot: A Tiny New York Bird with a Great Big Idea

by Fran Manushkin, Bruce Degen (Illustrator)

A little sparrow displays big courage as she journeys across the iconic New York City skyline to save a flock of travelling birds. With showstopping artwork from Bruce Degen, illustrator of the Magic School Bus series.

Scoot! Busy people on the bustling New York City streets shout at a little sparrow, but Scoot loves exploring the tasty smells and sparkling sights of the city with her new friend Scram. Busy cabs on Fifth Avenue. Glitzy dancers at Radio City Music Hall. Shoemakers, dressmakers, and bakers working all day. Scoot wants to be a part of it all, but what can a little bird do?

“Rise up!” answered Scoot.
“Follow me! Aim
I see a way we can help
in the sky!”

When flocks of migrating birds get lost among the shiny windows and nighttime lights, Scoot and her new friends guide the birds to safety, discovering that she can do more than get out of the way.

Inspired by the real danger skyscrapers pose to urban wildlife, Fran Manushkin, author of the beloved Katie Woo series and member the New York Audubon Society, has crafted an uplifting tale with an important urban ecological message.

Illustrator of beloved children’s books like The Magic School Bus series and Jamberry, Bruce Degen captures the dazzling views and lively energy of the city in vibrant gouache. Scoot! tells a classic New York City story from the perspective of the city’s most overlooked residents with wonder and heart.

Genres: Picture Books, Birds, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

Published November 8, 2022

About the author

Fran Manushkin is the author of more than fifty books for children, including the Katie Woo series; Big Girl Panties, illustrated by Valeria Petrone; Big Sisters Are the Best, illustrated by Kirsten Richards; The Tushy Book, illustrated by Tracy Dockray; and Baby, Come Out!, illustrated by Ronald Himler and translated into eight languages. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want a book with NYC locales and birdwatching info? This is the title for you. Fran Manushkin took what she knew about bird migration paths and gave the bird heroes of this book the job of helping migrating birds not to be distracted by the bright lights of the city. It is a wonderful combo. After you read the story of Scoot and her friends Scram, Vamoose, Scurry, and Shoo; take some time to study the info in the back of the book on the landmarks featured in the book as well as the different types of birds included. The rhyming text by Manushkin plus the colorful illustrations by Bruce Degen of Magic School Bus fame make for an inviting picture book with learning potential.

[Sarah BT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for birdwatching programs.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a little bird flies into Manhattan looking for a new nest, she likes it - lots of food on the sidewalk, but people keep telling her to Scoot! She meets a couple of birds who teach her how to scavenge for food, and then, Scoot decides she wants a job. She tried dancing, and being a tour guide, but people didn't need her help. Wait, maybe she can do something to help other birds!

I liked that all the birds were named things we say to animals who are in the way (Shoo, Scram, Scoot and others). I liked the message that light pollution was making it difficult for migrating birds. I didn't like the lyrical text, some of the rhymes felt forced; it made for a difficult read-aloud. I also felt the illustrations were messy.

cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A combination of travel guide and birdwatching manual, this rhyming story features colorful illustrations of many well-known New York City landmarks, two kinds of common birds that make their home in the city, and several species of migratory birds. The book raises awareness about the negative impact of light pollution on bird migration and imagines how the native birds help their traveling companions navigate the Atlantic Flyway through Manhattan. Although written for adult readers, endnotes include interesting essays by author and illustrator about their background as veteran birdwatchers, the Lights Out New York program, and NYC landmarks depicted in the story.

[Carrie Streb · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a bird named Scoot who lives in New York City. She doesn't feel appreciated, until one day when she found a way to assist the birds traveling in the brightly lit night sky.

This book's dialog feels like it was written only to make sure it perfectly rhymes. As an example, when the group of birds decide to help in guiding others through the sky:

"We're cool!" sang Glow.
"We give travelers a lift."
"Who knew," said Glitter,
"that we had a gift?"

To me personally, I do not feel that the dialog was written well, and it did not pull me into the story.

Favorite Character: None this time, no characters sparked my interest.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love NYC so I enjoyed this book featuring many wonderful landmarks!
The illustrations are soft and gentle for the city that never sleeps.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It is a great book for kids who visit New York!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disjointed.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Bruce Degen's gouache and pencil illustrations.