By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 17, 2009
by Jeremy Tankard
Reading level: Ages 1-6
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (April 1, 2009)
What to expect: Birds, Animals, Boo boos, Emotion
Jeremy Tankard has certainly found the right frequency when it comes to connecting with children. Bird, the star of two fantastic picture books, is a character whose personality has been developed with brilliant accuracy to portray the honest nature of children. Bird first appeared as his cantankerous self in Grumpy Bird. He returns to us in fine form for Boo Hoo Bird.
The book shares many different ideas on making boo boos feel better. Tankards wording is precise, and his illustrations have perfect comedic timing. Perceptive parents should welcome discussions at the end of this book to talk about the camaraderie between Bird and his friends and their ability to express empathy even when Bird is at his worst. Tankard delivers an excellent message of compassion. This is such a relate-able book for children, and parents will find it hilarious. It’s short, sweet, and easy to read over-and-over again–and you will have to!
Publisher’s synopsis: Bird and Raccoon are playing ball, when Bird gets bonked on the head. “Boo hoo hoo!” he cries. What will make Bird feel better? A kiss? A cookie? A bandaid? Bird’s friends Raccoon, Rabbit, Beaver, Sheep, and Fox are full of sweet and funny ideas.
Perfectly pitched and hilariously imagined, this charming story about a universal experience will put a smile on the face of every child who has suffered a boo-boo and every parent who has struggled to come up with just the right way to give comfort.
About the author: “After a childhood of drawing and writing I attended the Alberta College of Art and Design where I studied drawing and printmaking. I worked as a graphic designer and typesetter before embarking on a career in illustration. After a few years of commercial illustration I went back to storytelling and began writing and illustrating my own books.”
Add this book to your collection: Boo Hoo Bird
You may also like: Grumpy Bird and The Pout-Pout Fish