A Home for Bird [Hardcover]

Philip C. Stead (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 5, 2012 | Age Range: 3 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 360L (What's this?)

While out foraging for interesting things, Vernon the toad finds a new friend - a small blue bird who is curiously silent. Vernon shows Bird the river and the forest and some of his other favorite things, but Bird says nothing. Vernon introduces Bird to his friends, Skunk and Porcupine, but Bird still says nothing.

 

"Bird is shy," says Vernon, "but also a very good listener."

 

Vernon worries that Bird is silent because he misses his home, so the two set off on a journey to help find a home for Bird.

 

This is a tender tale of a thoughtful friend who is determined to help his quiet companion, by the author of A Sick Day for Amos McGee, winner of the 2011 Caldecott Medal.

 

A Home for Bird is a Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2012

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-In this touching story of an unlikely, but fulfilling companionship, Vernon the toad searches high and low for his shy and seemingly lost new friend, Bird. Right from the beginning, Stead's emotional and detailed mixed-media illustrations inform readers what Vernon does not know-that Bird fell out of a cuckoo clock off a pickup truck before being found by Vernon while scavenging for useful odds and ends. Assuming that Bird is quiet because he's missing home, Vernon travels with him to search for his house. They find many different places that could make good homes for Bird-an old bird cage, a birdhouse, a nest, even a mailbox-but Bird remains quiet, making Vernon sad. A determined friend, Vernon continues searching until they find a pickup truck full of interesting things and a small blue house perfect for Bird, making him "cuckoo" with joy. The richly colored drawings are the perfect companions to this classic story of kindhearted friendship and belonging and will be a welcome addition to any collection or storytime.-Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

 "Stead has crafted an old-fashioned story that speaks directly to the heart..."--Horn Book Magazine, starred

"The richly colored drawings are the perfect companions to this classic story of kindhearted friendship and belonging and will be a welcome addition to any collection or storytime.”--School Library Journal

 “Stead creates characters that make readers care; Vernon’s compassion and faith have near-spiritual dimensions. And the scribbled artwork brims with small delights…”--Publishers Weekly, starred

“A deeply satisfying story that speaks to the universal desires to be nurtured and to find a home.”--Kirkus, starred

 

"This sensitively told story is a wonderful ode to friendship, selflessness, and the joys of home. Everyone should be so lucky to know a Vernon." -- Booklist, starred review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; First Edition edition (June 5, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596437111
• ISBN-13: 978-1596437111
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, great story, fantastic illustrations! June 11, 2012

By Jeremy Schneider

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

"A Home for Bird" is a really cute book that is sure to be a favorite of your kids! Vernon meets a new friend Bird who is understandably quiet. The two embark on an adventure to find Bird's home! The illustrations include lots of details for younger kids to look for and follow from page to page to add even more depth to the story! Highly recommend! :)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet story I look forward to reading to my son. June 11, 2012

By Jenny S.

Format:Hardcover

A frog named Vernon meets the mute, stoic Bird, who might be lost. Unlike some of us, Vernon doesn't think Bird's silence is standoffish or rude. His silence seems shy (and, later, brave) to Vernon. Bird is a good listener, thinks Vernon. The frog introduces Bird to his other friends, then sets out on an adventure with Bird -- going to great lengths (with great patience!) to help Bird find his home.

I thought the story and illustrations were sweet and inventive. I don't know much about styles of illustration, but I thought the somewhat scribbly, sort of watercolor-wash of color ones here went well with Vernon's gentle spirit. My son is only 1, so he doesn't get the "payoff" of the big reveal at the end of the book, but I think he will when he's a bit older (and has seen more types of clocks). I think there are some really lovely messages here -- about going to unselfish lengths for your friends, accepting people (and things) as they are, and being happy for others. Yet the book isn't didactic or heavy-handed. It's simply, as I said of the illustrations, sweet.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you need a smile, read this book! March 14, 2013

By jeannine: waddleeahchaa

Format:Hardcover

Everything about this books is happiness! Vernon meets a new friend, Bird. However, "Bird is shy . . . but is also a very good listener." Bird continues to be shy and quite. Vernon begins to worry that Bird misses his home. Vernon sets out on a journey to help Bird find his home. All along the way, Bird says nothing. Finally, Vernon finds a stranger that points the way to Bird's home. Ta-dah! Bird finally sings.

The story is sweet and the rich illustrations tell the story behind the story. My children first read this story with their Daddy and they could not wait for me to read it the next day. But they were careful not to spoil the surprise at the end of the story. You'll love the cute surprise.

The illustrations are as enchanting and quirky as the story. My children studied the pictures for a long time discussing the art medium. I see an afternoon of art in our future.

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