In case you didn’t get a chance to check yesterday, here are the CYBILS 2012 winners! It was a great privilege to participate as one of the 2nd round judges for the fictional picture book category. I felt it was only fitting to review the book we chose as the winner for today’s perfect picture book!
Title: A Home For Bird
By Philip C. Stead
Published by Roaring Book Press, 2012
Ages: 3-5
Themes: Friendship, home, toads, birds
Awards: 2012 Cybils Winner for the category fictional picture books
Opening Lines:
Vernon was out foraging for interesting things when he found Bird.
“Are you okay?” asked Vernon.
Bird said nothing.
“Are you lost?”
Bird said nothing.
“You are welcome to join me,” said Vernon.
Synopsis:
Vernon, the toad, is out and about looking for things to collect when he comes across a blue bird, who appears to be lost, though it is hard to be sure as Bird never replies to Vernon’s gentle questions. Vernon, being a friendly toad, shows his new friend around and introduces him to his other buddies, a skunk and a porcupine.
Vernon takes his friendship with Bird very seriously and concerned that Bird’s silence may be due to homesickness, sets out with Bird to find Bird’s home. Vernon shows Bird a cage, a nest, and many other living options, asking Bird each time if this is home. Vernon becomes quite downcast and not being able to help his friend, but he is determined and inventive and they set off again, by air this time, in search of Birds home. The search continues into the evening by which time Vernon is exhausted and they stop at a house for the night. Vernon tucks Bird into the upstairs room in a little house he finds on a wall in the house. Tick, tock, Tick, tock – have they found Bird’s home?
Why I like this book:
It is very easy to miss the first illustration, which somewhat precedes the start of the story and text. This is of an old open-back truck loaded with chairs, carpets, lamps etc and an old clock. I would open this page first, with a child, to see what they observe, then move onto the opening lines of the next page. I say this, because I missed this on my first reading and thus the end was a complete surprise to me, and just delightful!
My absolutely favorite line in the story is when Vernon, introduces Bird to Skunk and Porcupine: “Bird is shy,” said Vernon, “but also a very good listener”.
Preschoolers will love Vernon’s loyalty and thoughtfulness and adults and children will adore the charm and humour of this story. Stead’s warm, fluid crayon and gouache illustrations, with fun details like Skunk and Porcupine tied up in a yoyo, marry perfectly with this text. It is a story full of heart and those great qualities of a repeatedly read-aloud picture book. It is a book that manages both simplicity and complexity at the same time and left me with a warm afterglow.
Activities/Resources:
Carter Higgins looks in detail at the illustrations of A HOME FOR BIRD on her website, Design of the Picture Book.
Philip Stead has a great youtube video on A HOME FOR BIRD.
Bird-feeding activities for kids.
And just for fun, some cuckoo clocks usurped by other critters – here.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
A big hearted book with animals and nature? What could be better? It sounds lovely. Thanks Joanna!
Yes, Iza, so many winning attributes!
Thanks…I’ll definitely check this out. The cover looks adorable.
Sylvia, the artwork is gorgeous throughout.
this looks like one of those “have to read” books! I always love it when illustrations before the story set the scene… it’s a good way to teach kids that drawings (and photos, tables, graphs) provide essential information. Thanks for sharing this review!
Yes, this book merits a lot of attention to the illustrative detail, Sue.
Definitely a PPB!
Yep!
Sounds fabulous, Joanna. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome.
Joanna, this sounds delightful. I’m glad you mentioned the early illustration. They seem to be doing this more. The book ,Mine, that I reviewed had both front and end covers with illos, that started and finished the story. My 4 yr old grandd noticed a soggy sock I had not previously seen on the end cover.
I love it when kids spot things we don’t, Laura!
A book filled with heart and compassion. Love that it won! Thanks for sharing the video and other illustrations so I could better grasp the story. Loved the illustrations. Glad you shared it!
The illustrations are truly adorable.
This is one of my favorite books. http://1stinmaine.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-home-for-bird.html
Thanks for sharing your link, Kimberley!
I’m very taken with the book just by your description of it! Being nature, and especially bird, lovers, I think I can even get my teen boys to enjoy this. 🙂 Thanks for a terrific review!
I do think it has a story that will appeal across the ages, Teresa.
I loved a Sick Day for Amos McGee. Now I’m on the lookout for this book by the same author!
Yes, what talent in that family!
It is a terrific book and so well deserving of the win! Sweetness abounds.
So sweet, yes!
This looks wonderful! Sounds like Vernon may have a bit of Horton in him! 🙂
Good comparison, Julie.
This sounds like a really heart-warming story. I like the artwork on the cover. I think I’ll have to check this one out. Thanks for sharing. I’ll bet it’s a difficult assignment to have to choose a winner of beautiful picture books!
Rhythm, it was very hard to decide between the finalists, though this one was always one of my favorites.
Such a good review. The book sounds delightful — and the activities too.
On another note, thanks for stopping by my blog. I appreciated your good wishes.
Thanks for dropping by, Elizabeth.
Great review of a book that sounds SO lovely! I’ve seen it before, but can you believe it? still haven’t read it! I will have to rectify that at once! Love the Vernon – how kind he is – and love the art, too. Thanks for adding this to our list!
Is Vernon the perfect name for a toad?
Cute! I like the cover! This sounds like a very nice story about friendship! 🙂
I’m a sucker for cute friendship stories, Erik.