Bluebird by Bob Staake - ADVISABLE

Staake, Bob Bluebird.  Schwartz & Wade (Random), 2013.  $18.  WORDLESS PICTURE BOOK.  

A young man trudges to and from school with his eyes downcast and a dejected look on his face.  A little bluebird notices and befriends the boy, even helping him make friendly overtures to a few other children.  Bullies interfere, however and things change for the worst – Boy and Bird are not to be together forever. The sweet ending, however, helps to assuage the pain.  

This book is very sweet.  Many of the illustrations are very small, though, so it is best to be “read” on a lap or with a document camera to get the full effect.  Staake’s geometric, retro feeling illustrations are black and white except for that little bird; such talent to be able to illustrate his own message in such a skillful fashion.  

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher