Oddbird

April 15, 2021
Preschool-Grade 2 It's a hot day in the jungle, but the colorful birds gathered by the pool are too busy admiring their feathers to risk messing them up by going for a swim. Then along comes Oddbird, a tiny, unimpressive gray bird who isn't afraid of dipping a talon. At first, he's shooed away for being different, but when he returns bedecked in colorful jungle plants, he's finally able to dive in. His fake feathers come flying off, but the water looks so cool and refreshing that the others soon join him, with happiness trumping vanity in the end. The messaging of self-acceptance and embracing who you are on the inside is welcome, if a bit on the nose, but the real star here is the artistry. The illustrations are done in mesmerizing collage with highly textured papers, and the color is as saturated, vibrant, and sumptuous as any jungle deserves, which makes the black-and-white visuals of Oddbird effectively stand out. This author-illustrator debut is a strong contribution to picture books celebrating diversity and inclusion.

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May 1, 2021

PreS-Gr 2-The story of one small bird learning to love himself. Oddbird is a gray bird living in the jungle full of colorful birds. As the other birds relax by the pool, avoiding getting wet, Oddbird jumps right in. The other birds see him, decide that because of his plain feathers, he does not belong, and shoo him away. Oddbird returns to the jungle and sees all of the colors around him. He decides to use the natural colors of the jungle to change his appearance, hoping for acceptance from the other birds. Desierto uses mixed media to add texture to the illustrations and bring the birds and jungle to life. The use of color and size in the text emphasizes the other birds' disgust at Oddbird and surprise when they see his new appearance. The story unfolds quickly and children will be utterly engaged by Oddbird's journey. Illustrations support and expand the text, depicting the birds' expressions: surprise, curiosity, and joy. VERDICT A great read-aloud, this will have children rapt throughout.-Sara Thomas, New Castle P.L., DE

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