Nerdy Birdy

Nerdy Birdy
Written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Matt Davies

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-1626721272
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Date of publication: September 22, 2015
Age: Grades K - 3

Themes: birds, friendship, cliques, nerdiness

Nerdy Birdy likes reading, video games, and reading about video games, which immediately disqualifies him for membership in the cool crowd—Eagle, Robin, and Cardinal. Nerdy Birdy is lonely. But at his lowest point, Nerdy Birdy meets a flock just like him and discovers that there are far more nerdy birdies friends than cool birdies in the sky. But what happens when a new bird flies in and she's not exactly cool or nerdy?

As a self-proclaimed (and other-people-proclaimed) nerd, this book was AWESOME. Who needs the cool birdies when you can have a group of compadres that look like this?

I mean, honestly. It's very obvious that the illustrator had a lot of fun with this book. One of the birds is even holding a lightsaber, for cryin' out loud. That's legit. Really though, Davies' relaxed, sketchbook style of illustrating really fits the fun nature of the book. I enjoyed them. And the story? Well, it could've just stopped with Nerdy Birdy realizing that he doesn't have to try to be something he's not—that he can find friends just the way he is. But Reynolds carried it a step further (which does make it a bit of a long book) and brought in another character—a vulture—that's just plain weird. And still, Nerdy Birdy reaches out to be her friend. It's funny, cute, and still carries an awesome message of being a good friend.

The not-quite-five-star rating is me wondering whether younger kids will fully appreciate the nerdy vs. cool factor. Or whether parents want to introduce that dynamic. I put the target age at a little older, to hit the school-age kids. I think they'd appreciate it more and laugh like I did.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Carnivores

Carnivores
Written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Dan Santat

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-0811866903
Publisher: Chronicle
Date of publication: August 20, 2013
Age: 4 - 8 years

Themes: self-acceptance, traits, support groups, animals, food chain

For the Great White Shark, Timber Wolf, and Lion, it's lonely at the top of the food chain. It's difficult to fit in when plant eaters can be so cruel—just because you ate a relative of theirs that one time! What's a carnivore to do?

Should I just create a Dan Santat Fan Page? I feel like that's what this blog is turning into. Because I LOVE his illustrations. But anyway, about this book specifically...

I laughed. A lot. Which always means high marks in my book. These "poor" animals are getting their feelings hurt and what are they to do? Santat's illustrations capture the emotions of the animals quite perfectly, with cartoon-ish brilliance, matching Reynolds hilarious (and somewhat brash) story line. Check out the lion trying to ignore the mean gazelles' whispers...

It still makes me laugh. So why not a full five stars? Well, I don't know that everyone will appreciate the audacious, meat-eating extravaganza. Even I was quite upset about the fate of the owl... (but hey, I love owls). It also may send a bit of a confusing message to kids, about accepting themselves for who they are...even if that harms others? That's if you read too much into it. Honestly, just read it for fun and it will be hilarious.

Another Dan Santat book for the win. See the other books I've reviewed of his here.

Find it at your library or on Amazon