Children's Book Review: A Home for Bird and Bear Has a Story to Tell

Marin Mommies presents another guest article by Marin children's librarian Lisa Katz. This time, she takes a look at two great books about friendship.

In A Home for Bird, Vernon the toad has met a new friend, a small blue bird. Blue bird doesn't seem to be happy and Vernon isn't quite sure why. He asks little blue bird, but bird doesn't talk. He thinks that bird is lost from his home so he decides to introduce bird to his friends and try to discover where little blue bird's home really is.

As the reader, we know from the start that the little blue bird has fallen out of a moving truck where he lived in a cuckoo clock. While Vernon doesn't know this, he tries everything to discover where little bird's home is.

This is a very tender and thoughtful tale of friendship written by Caldecott winner, author/illustrator Philip Stead. The story is not only creative, but the illustrations are richly colored in mixed media and truly display the emotions of Vernon and little blue bird.

"Bird is shy," said Vernon, "but also a very good listener." Isn't that what friends are? This is a wonderful story that can be read over and over again. It is a story that can encourage discussions of what true friendship is and the importance of a home. A must for children ages 3 and up.

Bear Has a Story to Tell is another very endearing tale of friendship. Meet Bear who is getting ready to go to sleep for the winter. Yet, he has a very important story to tell and he can't seem to find a friend who isn't getting ready for winter to stop and listen. He goes from friend to friend eagerly wanting to tell a story, but each time he gets more tired and each time his friends turn him away as they are busy getting ready for winter too.

Mouse is setting up his food supply in a tunnel, duck is getting ready to journey south for the winter, frog is seeking warm shelter, and mole is already fast asleep. As bear finds his spot for the winter he goes to sleep without ever telling his story.

Written by Philip Stead and illustrated by his wife, Erin, the Caldecott duo has done it again. The illustrations are done in pencil and watercolor and truly show the change in seasons. This is a wonderful story about friendship as well as the importance of patience. Another must read for ages 3 and up.