Beth Anderson, Children's Writer

Who amongst us hasn’t been the oddball and felt left out? While we all want to belong, we don’t want to be caught in a stereotype, our uniqueness ignored. This is truly a special book!

Title: Nerdy Birdy
Written by: Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by: Matt Davies
Roaring Brook Press, 2015, fiction
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Themes/topics: belonging, friendship, birds, accepting differences

Opening:
This is Nerdy Birdy.
His glasses are too big. His wings are too small.
He’s allergic to birdseed. When all the other birds are hanging out together at the birdfeeder, Nerdy Birdy is scrounging for breadcrumbs.

Brief synopsis: (from Worldcat.org)
Nerdy Birdy likes reading and video games, which immediately disqualifies him for membership in the cool crowd. One thing is clear: being a nerdy birdy is a lonely lifestyle. When he’s at his lowest point, Nerdy Birdy meets a flock just like him. He has friends and discovers that there are far more nerdy birdies than cool birdies in the sky.

Activities and Resources:

• Write a journal entry on a personal experience making a friend.
• Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast yourself with a new friend. Evaluate the similarities and differences.
• Excellent book for the beginning of the school year.
• Lessons on stereotypes:   For grades 3+, An ESL lesson

Why I like this book:
I like this little bird because he not only finds his peeps (sorry, had to do it), where he fits in, but he makes room for others that don’t. Endearing illustrations, sparse and fun text, non-threatening with a powerful message.
This is one of those books that stretches easily into middle school where it can be extended into deeper discussions. A perfect addition to every school counselor’s bookshelf.

Visit author Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Books for a plethora of picture books listed by title and topic/theme, each with teacher/parent resources.