A Bird About to Sing [Hardcover]

Laura Nyman Montenegro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 2003 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

For Natalie, writing poetry is fun. But reciting poetry out loud, IN FRONT OF OTHER PEOPLE, is not. So when Natalie’s poetry teacher takes her to a reading, Natalie is nervous. Shy. And ready to fly away. How will she muster the courage it takes to share her verse in front of an audience? Here is one young writer’s story that sets free a bird about to sing.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-2-This book is more of an esteem-booster and a nudge of encouragement for self-expression than a strong story. Natalie loves writing poems but is nervous about sharing them out loud. When she attends a reading with her poetry teacher, she listens to the adults who are gathered there and is given the opportunity to take the spotlight. But stage fright overcomes her, and her words remain unspoken. Feeling sad on the bus ride home, she is inspired by the view from the window and, finding her voice at last, she begins to recite her poem out loud. The adult poets are among the passengers, and they offer rousing applause. The scant story ends with Natalie's affirmation, "I am a poet, too!" The subdued gouache art captures the child's changing feelings; the stylized characters are all people of color and several scenes are reminiscent of the beat generation of the '50s. The print is bold and dark against the soft pictures, and Natalie's poem is scattered across the illustrations. One of the wise poets at the reading had predicted "When the time is right, the bird begins to sing," and the delicately colored birds that grace several of the pages carry that metaphor throughout the book. Teachers may find this a helpful introduction to creative writing. A supplemental purchase.
Beth Tegart, Oneida City Schools, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. Natalie is a natural poet, but when she's asked to read her poetry out loud, she's as silent as a cloud. Natalie's teacher Monica tries to encourage her by taking her downtown to a poetry reading. Gunther reads his poems with a booming voice; Katerina, with a little squeak; and Edgar dances his words. When it's Natalie's turn, however, she freezes yet again: "And suddenly I feel like a bird / who's lost its voice, and like a bird / I wish to fly far, far away / to the top of the tallest tree." Despite her stage fright, the poets are kind to her. One of them tells her, "When the time is right, / the bird begins to sing." And sing she does, on the bus back home--reading her poem to Monica and to everyone else! The surreal, stylized paintings of a fascinating cast of multicultural characters are awash in lovely, warm color. Shy birds and budding poets alike may be emboldened by this picture book about both the private and public nature of creativity. Karin Snelson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (March 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618188657
• ISBN-13: 978-0618188659
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,184,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Pleased!, May 5, 2009

By 

T. Noriega - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Bird About to Sing (Hardcover)

My order arrived much earlier than expected. The books were in wonderful condition (very high quality). I will definitely work with The Best Book Source again.

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering book for young children, October 28, 2010

By 

John Aardema "inkyboy" (Woodridge, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Bird About to Sing (Hardcover)

This magical book is about the empowerment of a young poet named Natalie. She writes poems, but her poetry teacher wants Natalie to read them OUT LOUD. Natalie goes to a poetry reading with her teacher and meets many interesting poets like herself...but will Natalie read aloud?

Author/Illustrator Laura Montenegro's unique vision brings us Natalie's colorful urban world. Evocative poetry and primitive, Picasso-like frescoes convey a warm, hip, jazzy atmosphere perfect for Natalie and her new poet friends. I recommend this book not only to anyone who knows a young poet, but also to anyone wishing to encourage a child in their life.