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The Blue Songbird
A little blue songbird longs to sing like her sisters. But whenever she tries, she cannot get the tune right. Her mother encourages her to leave home and find a song that only she can sing.
With courage and tenacity, she travels the world, seeking advice from a crane, an owl, and a mean-looking crow, and other birds, hoping they will lead her to her special song.
With courage and tenacity, she travels the world, seeking advice from a crane, an owl, and a mean-looking crow, and other birds, hoping they will lead her to her special song.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published April 4, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
December 24, 2017
“Make Your Own Special Music,” Mamas and the Papas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbSM0...
I decided to read all seven of the books Maria Popova (on twitter) says were the loveliest picture books of 2017:
https://www.brainpickings.org/2017/12...
This is the third one, The Blue Songbird, by Vern Kousky. A blue songbird doesn’t sing like her three yellow sisters. Her mama, also a blue songbird, tells her to hit the skies and find her own voice. On her trip she consults a variety of other birds: An owl, pigeons, a crane. A crow points her to an island where she can find her own special song, and it happens to be home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ6VT...
I like the idea here of finding yourself in experience. Usually you have to leave home to truly appreciate it. This is a story about individuality and self-reliance, but it is also about family, and that you are both where you came from and whom you choose to be. There’s a good angle here on trying to live up to the reputation of your older siblings, too. Be yourself!
Okay, it’s not incredibly original, and the text as not as poetic as I want it to be, but I like it. Sweet, with lovely watercolor drawings emphasizing the blue and yellow. 3.5, rounded up for making me think of Mama Cass and Judy Garland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbSM0...
I decided to read all seven of the books Maria Popova (on twitter) says were the loveliest picture books of 2017:
https://www.brainpickings.org/2017/12...
This is the third one, The Blue Songbird, by Vern Kousky. A blue songbird doesn’t sing like her three yellow sisters. Her mama, also a blue songbird, tells her to hit the skies and find her own voice. On her trip she consults a variety of other birds: An owl, pigeons, a crane. A crow points her to an island where she can find her own special song, and it happens to be home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ6VT...
I like the idea here of finding yourself in experience. Usually you have to leave home to truly appreciate it. This is a story about individuality and self-reliance, but it is also about family, and that you are both where you came from and whom you choose to be. There’s a good angle here on trying to live up to the reputation of your older siblings, too. Be yourself!
Okay, it’s not incredibly original, and the text as not as poetic as I want it to be, but I like it. Sweet, with lovely watercolor drawings emphasizing the blue and yellow. 3.5, rounded up for making me think of Mama Cass and Judy Garland.
March 3, 2017
I adore the illustrations and the story is about finding your own path. I loved it. My daughter adores it too. I will be happy to re-read this several times and to not just my daughter but my cousins also. I would recommend this to parents. One of the best children's books I have read in a long time.
June 1, 2017
A blue songbird listens to her three yellow songbird siblings sing their beautiful morning song. She tries to join in, but her song sounds different. Sad, the blue songbird tells her mother how she feels. Mom, also a blue songbird, tells her daughter she must leave home and find a song only she can sing.
Blue songbird obeys, flying off on the adventure of her life.
Kousky’s gorgeous watercolor illustrations flow as fluidly as the blue songbird’s quest, with a tenderness to match her heart and desire. In most spreads, the color that stands out against the remaining elements are the dabs of blue and yellow representing the songbirds. The cover . . .
The Blue Songbird is a beautiful tale of self-sufficiency, self-discovery, and finding where you belong in the world and at home. Children overshadowed by older siblings can relate to the blue songbird. Her quest for a song all her own gave her just that; unique experiences only she could sing.
Originally reviewed on Kid Lit Reviews. To read the full review and see illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/TheBlueSongbird
Blue songbird obeys, flying off on the adventure of her life.
Kousky’s gorgeous watercolor illustrations flow as fluidly as the blue songbird’s quest, with a tenderness to match her heart and desire. In most spreads, the color that stands out against the remaining elements are the dabs of blue and yellow representing the songbirds. The cover . . .
The Blue Songbird is a beautiful tale of self-sufficiency, self-discovery, and finding where you belong in the world and at home. Children overshadowed by older siblings can relate to the blue songbird. Her quest for a song all her own gave her just that; unique experiences only she could sing.
Originally reviewed on Kid Lit Reviews. To read the full review and see illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/TheBlueSongbird
January 5, 2018
The lovely watercolors are the strength of this children’s picture book. They have a Japanese type of feel and take your imagination on a journey with the bird. But the story line is unoriginal. The prose is sweet but not outstanding. I loved the message of searching for your own song, (and thanks to another review I can’t get the Mamas and the Papas “Make your own kind of Music” out of my head, but I kept wondering if a child could actually process this type of thinking. It was suggested that a child struggling to compete with siblings who have specific interests might be encouraged to find their own thing. I think that the value for the child lies in the illustrations and the emotional richness of the little bird’s expressions.
July 1, 2021
A sweet book with lovely illustrations of the whimsical little blue songbird, who can't find her voice and travels the world, asking birds of all shapes and sizes how and where to find her song - from an owl to a crane to a crow to a waddle of penguins. All of the birds are beautifully illustrated in soft colors, with pastel shades of blue, grey, yellow and brown as the overarching color scheme. There is a charming lesson about being able to "sing" and voice the tale of one's travels after returning home again.
April 6, 2018
A small blue bird has an adeventurous day learning to find his song. cute. preschool and up
July 21, 2018
Una vez más, el viaje y no el destino es lo importante. Y la respuesta, siempre, dentro de uno mismo. Un cuento maravilloso.
November 13, 2017
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Today’s book is ,i>The Blue Songbird by Vern Kousky, a wonderfully touching story about learning how to find yourself.
A little songbird wakes up every morning to the beautiful songs of her sisters. She wishes her song could be as sweet, but she can’t seem to find the right notes. Her mother encourages her, though, telling her that she must find the song that is hers alone, and she must have the courage to seek it out. So the songbird leaves home for the first time, flying across land and oceans to find her song. She asks all the birds along the way for guidance: a helpful crane, a seemingly wise owl, even snowbound penguins. She sees snow-capped mountains and desert plains, flying around the entire world on her quest. At last, a clever crow points her in the direction of a golden island where her song can be found. But when the little songbird arrives, she finds the island is, in fact, her home. Disappointed, she wings toward her family. As she opens her beak to tell them of her adventures, she finds that what comes out aren’t words, but her own special song, singing of the incredible journey she’s taken… and the sweetness of returning home.
I LOVED this one. The metaphor of finding oneself in travel and experience, and the message that home will be there for you when you return, is beautifully woven into a story that stresses the values of courage, self-relience, and family. I loved that the ultimate message was that who we are is made equally of where we come from AND what we choose to be. The art is lovely, using muted colors and simple lines to create a world of possibilities for the little bird. The length is perfect, and JJ adored it. This is a timeless story told in beautiful style, and it’s emphatically Baby Bookworm approved!
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
February 6, 2017
Not a terribly original story but cheerfully and warmly told with lovely watercolor illustrations.
January 9, 2018
The pictures are pretty cute, especially the various poses of the blue songbird. While this is a nice enough story, there is something off about it to me.
The other songbirds all have their song, except the one, who travels far and wide to ask all the other birds what their song should be, but no one knows. When the bird returns home and opens its beak to tell the tale of the journey, that is when the song comes forth.
So ... the other birds have "self" just because, but the one bird needed to travel to get "self"? Or ... the other birds are shallow and their song is just a basic thing? Or ... what? I felt like there wasn't an actual realization for the blue songbird, a defining moment, but I think there could have been with more careful focus in the telling. (Also, there is a strange ignoring of the relationship between songbirds and birds of prey that stuck out in the wrong way.)
The other songbirds all have their song, except the one, who travels far and wide to ask all the other birds what their song should be, but no one knows. When the bird returns home and opens its beak to tell the tale of the journey, that is when the song comes forth.
So ... the other birds have "self" just because, but the one bird needed to travel to get "self"? Or ... the other birds are shallow and their song is just a basic thing? Or ... what? I felt like there wasn't an actual realization for the blue songbird, a defining moment, but I think there could have been with more careful focus in the telling. (Also, there is a strange ignoring of the relationship between songbirds and birds of prey that stuck out in the wrong way.)
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September 7, 2020Review copy: Final copy via publisher
The blue songbird is on a quest to find her song. She is finding her own voice. More than just about music, the book is about telling our own story and showing how important and empowering it is to use our voice. I liked the message that the bird had a different story and sang it in a different way, but was still connected with those around her.
The illustrations are sweet and add to the quiet feeling of the book. I love the blues and yellows. I also appreciated the playfulness with the text. Sometimes it is straight, but at times the text is also in a variety of shapes.
Recommendation: If you want more stories to encourage young readers to share their own stories or songs, this would be a nice one to add to your collection.
The blue songbird is on a quest to find her song. She is finding her own voice. More than just about music, the book is about telling our own story and showing how important and empowering it is to use our voice. I liked the message that the bird had a different story and sang it in a different way, but was still connected with those around her.
The illustrations are sweet and add to the quiet feeling of the book. I love the blues and yellows. I also appreciated the playfulness with the text. Sometimes it is straight, but at times the text is also in a variety of shapes.
Recommendation: If you want more stories to encourage young readers to share their own stories or songs, this would be a nice one to add to your collection.
March 7, 2017
I found this book to be a delightful children's book. I look for a story where children can easily relate to the story through illustrations. I also look for shorter stories as children get tend to get anxious if the story drags on. This book has beautiful illustrations, and is a story of a little blue songbird who is looking for a song to sing. It is a wonderful little hardcover book.
I received this book through Goodreads for a honest opinion.
I received this book through Goodreads for a honest opinion.
May 13, 2017
A sweet story of a young bird trying to find her own special song. Following the encouragement of her mother the little bird travels far and wide, meeting different animals each with differing directions to a beautiful song idea, as they finally unknowingly direct the bird back home. The little birds songs are much sweeter for all of her travels, especially now, back with her family in her wonderful home. Lovely story and lesson for all.
Review #15
Review #15
August 25, 2017
How else will you find out about yourself unless you travel and do great things? That's my takeaway from this simple picture book with a big message about finding yourself and your voice. The blue songbird travels around asking others birds about finding the right song but it's when they get back home that they realized they had a story to tell and it was their own and it was beautiful.
Adore the illustration.
Adore the illustration.
October 19, 2017
This is a really sweet picture book about a little songbird who has no song. She travels around the world and listens to different songs, trying them out, but none work for her. It isn't until she returns home that she finds a song similar to her sisters' but still unique. This is a really great example of finding a balance between the old and the new to understand who you are. My son and I loved it!
March 2, 2019
A blue songbird desperately wants to be able to sing beautiful songs like her older sisters, and goes off on an adventure around the world looking for a song only she can sing. Her adventures eventually lead her back home in a heartwarming story that shows how each of us has a unique story to tell based on the experiences we have and how they've shaped us. This may not be an 'original' story, but it's a lesson that humans constantly need reminded of - and one that every child needs to learn!
July 25, 2017
This is a book about a little blue bird who is trying to find his own song. He travels around the world to find it, only to realize that he had it in him all along. I love this wonderful book. It has a good message of kindness, perseverance, hope, and friendship. The illustrations are amazing and capture the goodness in the little blue bird.
September 3, 2017
A simple story told with just the right amount of phrase repetition such that by the second reading my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter was filling in the words here and there when I paused. She adopted it as her current favorite bedtime book. I enjoy the illustrations as much as the story. There is a graphic arts quality to the illustrations that I appreciate.
March 7, 2019
While a sweet book about finding your "song" obviously this has been done before (cue: Happy Feet I and II). However, (spoiler) this time the bird finds her actual song by going on an adventure. You learn about some other birds (by name and looks) and the illustrations show you some lovely landscape. This would be a fantastic lap-sized board book.
August 13, 2020
Lindo ejemplo de que las historias épicas no siempre son aquellas en que la heroína o héroe recorre regiones vastas del mundo, sino que su viaje es trascendente y el aprendizaje deviene de lo que aprendimos mirando hacia dentro de nosotros mientras vivimos en conexión con las personas (o aves) de allá afuera. Un afuera que todo el tiempo es nuestro interior, y somos un@ con l@s demás.
March 25, 2017
A quest to discover his own song, the blue songbird learns that it is his experiences that give him reason to sing.
This portrait oriented book is exquisitely designed-each spread is perfectly balanced with excellent contrast and framing. Truly a great story and quite lyrical as well.
This portrait oriented book is exquisitely designed-each spread is perfectly balanced with excellent contrast and framing. Truly a great story and quite lyrical as well.
January 21, 2018
This is a really cute picture book. The little blue songbird wants to find her own song, so she can sing as beautifully as her sisters, and this takes her on a grand adventure. The illustrations are just lovely, and the story has a gentle message of hope, courage, and finding your own way.
January 24, 2019
about being yourself and finding your way. he finds his song, after asking all different kinds of animals if he's like them. might be able to use for storytime - no real singing in here to sing along with. it's about singing...
May 4, 2017
a beautifully designed book, from endpage to endpage. story was ok too, but the format of the text made me feel as though it should have been more poetic in wording.
May 6, 2017
I wish the text was as inspired as the illustrations, which are wonderful!
May 16, 2017
A blue bird is trying to find his own special song. Book about individuality.
June 4, 2017
Read Aloud for K-2nd
July 13, 2017
Sweet book. I relate to it as a seeker of a story to tell.
May 6, 2018
We all have our own song
Beautiful illustrations of a little bird and the places she visits to find her own song. She flies around the world asking all the birds she meets.
Beautiful illustrations of a little bird and the places she visits to find her own song. She flies around the world asking all the birds she meets.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews