Opal's Springtime Birdhouse

by Emily Matheis, Albert Arrayás (Illustrator)

Bang! Whack! Whirrr!

It's time for a birdhouse building contest! Opal's friends all have endless ideas on how to make their constructions stand out. There are bells, pom-poms, basketballs, and many more materials to use--and yet Opal still feels stuck.

Maybe a simple, sturdy piece of wood...a few nails and screws will be just right. But when the judges don't pick Opal's birdhouse, she may still discover that her humble home is just right for someone else. In this charming picture book tale, creators Emily Matheis and Albert Arrayás showcase how the rewards of our efforts can come from the most unexpected of places.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Birds

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 28, 2023

About the author

Emily Matheis is a two-time, award-winning picture book author through the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and recipient of the Maggie Award through the Georgia Romance Writers of America. She writes books for both children and adults with an emphasis on characters in intelligent, adaptable, and exemplifying roles that surpass the bounds of gender stereotypes.

Reviews

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and inspiring STEM story that shows how the powerful combination of knowledge, intuition, and determination pays off. Kids will easily relate to Opal's experience at camp and will be rooting for her to the end. The cute illustrations add wonderfully to the text to take the reader along for the experience. Great addition to any home or classroom library!

[Emily Matheis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring story for the young builders, engineers, and all around do-ers in your life. With sensory language, bright and lively illustrations, this perfect read-aloud highlights the reasons we hold onto hope in spite of challenges, and that the best success of all may be in the most unexpected of places.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book with a wonderful message!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opal loves to build things. In fact, she is enrolled in a construction camp. The final project is to build a birdhouse. Her friends plan birdhouses with bells, birdhouses with glitter, and birdhouses with bright colors! But Opal researches birds and thinks that a plain birdhouse would be the best. She is sure she will win the contest but... the winning ribbon goes to a glitzy, fancy birdhouse. Opal is very disappointed but hangs her birdhouse up in hopes that it will actually attract a bird. But will it? And what about all of the other birdhouses? Do they have feathered occupants?

This is a cute book about researching your project and dealing with disappointment when things don't turn out quite the way you expect. There is also a bit of information about all the different places birds make their homes.

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A STEM project at camp is for children to design the most vivid and individual birdhouse – but shouldn't the effort be better spent on a house better for the birds, than something just for the contest? Now, normally books like this will go all-out for the individuality and uniqueness, and the woke representation of all the kids here would suggest that. But no, this aims for the utility and common sense of Opal's losing contest entry, and it's all the better for it. This moral shouldn't stand out, but in a world of glitz and pomp and being drag-race-ready, it unfortunately does. Colourfully cartoonish visuals, and great clarity in the text, make this a win-win however you dress it.

[Helen Wu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opal is a determined protagonist full of heart—This character sets a great example for kids on the power of perseverance even in the face of a setback. The book lend itself to classroom activities on building—This book would pair well with craft and maker units in schools, with simple materials like popsicle sticks, cardboard, glue, and other decorative elements for kids to make their own birdhouses!
There is an informational backmatter—Kids will delight in the fun facts of bird habitats around the world, including where they are found, what materials go into their nests, and even how many eggs they can fit inside! A must read!

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the contrast of most of the children leaning toward creative birdhouses (which, to be fair is what the poster stressed) versus Opal's more simple but based-on-research birdhouse. Her birdhouse may not have been chosen as the winner of the contest but it is the only one chosen by a bird to live in.

This is a nice story with some bird facts sprinkled in.

The illustrations have great racial diversity and there is also a character who uses a wheelchair (and it has really awesome star/constellation wheels).

As far as text, I think it would be too long for most toddlers and preschoolers but it could work well in an elementary school storytime.

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opal sets a wonderful example for children on the power of perseverance even in the face of a setback. I love that this book can help inspire future bird watchers and inspire parents and teachers to try building a birdhouse at home or at school. Both birdwatching and building a home for birds is something children will remember and enjoy for the rest of their lives. Kids will love Albert’s colorful Illustrations and keep them turning every page.

[Ashley S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet story with an indirect message for young readers that things can be subjective. Everyone has their own opinion on what makes something great. My 4yo and I enjoyed learning about making birdhouses.

[Kerisa Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet and a wonderful ode to all that I love about spring! I love making bird houses with the kids!!!

[Jesse Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So adorable :) lovely art and great writing!

[YC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book with lovely illustrations, and very empowering, especially for girls. My daughter loved it and so did I!

[Danna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful, empowering, necessary book for kids and girls everywhere. Gorgeously written and illustrated. My kids and I love it and will read again and again!!

[SamSamSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it hadn't ended so abruptly and had explained why Opal's house was the perfect one for a bluebird, but I still enjoyed the story! 3.5 rounded up to 4.

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opal's Springtime Birdhouse is a memorable picture book story featuring an inventive and heartfelt protagonist many young children will relate to. At a STEM-based camp, Opal is tasked with creating a birdhouse for a building contest and along the way has consider the difference between what makes the most sense for a successful birdhouse versus what might win votes of her fellow campers and help her win the contest. We see Opal struggle with a range of emotions as she problem solves, loses the competition, but then perseveres and hangs her bird house anyway. As it turns out, Opal's simple design for a birdhouse may not have won her the competition at camp, but it is in fact an enticing home for a Bluebird family to take up residence. I love this dynamic narrative, the heart behind it, and the inherent learning about birds woven throughout.

For more notable 2023 nature-based books for children visit my blog:
https://thesilvanreverie.com/2023/04/...

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Yeehoo Press. Opinions are my own.

[Becky Bramble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, highly recommend!