Sweet little story about a baby bird, who is just a bit different than the other birds. Another bird shows him how he can be a bird, but not fly.

Great story, with a good moral. I will be sharing this with a group of different-abled students soon! Perfect for learning to embrace what makes you different and sets you apart.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the colorful illustrations in this book. I liked the concept. I never really thought about a bird that had a deformity like that, but I'm sure it happens. A good message.

I received a copy of this arc from NetGalley for an honest review. I love all picture books about birds. I enjoyed this book about a young bird who doesn't think he can learn to fly. A story about not giving up.

This is super cute. The illustrations are lovely and the writing isn't too complex or simple. There is a special mix of elements that need to come together for a children's book to be engaging and have staying power. Andrew Gibbs has achieved that in this simple; yet complex story.

We start by learning that baby bird has a little wing. Which means he can't fly, no matter how much he tries. His friend tries to help him out and feel better about things; as well as saves baby bird as his lowest moment. This low moment is a quick panel and the perfect subtle way of saying that it's okay to be sad and angry and low. So long as you have someone to help you back up again! For a children's book to even touch on a low moment is rare and so I love the way it's done in Baby Bird.

This is the perfect book for any child that is different or feels like they don't fit in. Be it because of a medical, physical, emotional or mental reason. The end allows us to realize that there are other ways to participate in activities than doing everything the same way all the other birds do. A great book for afternoon reads or before bed. The illustrations are colourful but not too bright and the length is perfect. This solid kids story could be purchased for any child and be appreciated.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

I enjoyed this story for young children. The illustrations are lavish and true to nature. A baby bird has a wing that did not grow properly, and he spends a lot of time trying to fly like the other chicks. But he has fun with a grown coot who tries to help.
As well as the nature story we get a message of working with others and we see that not everyone is born with the same gifts, but those less lucky can still be our friends (or we may be the less lucky one).

This would be good for kids under six. Very bright and cheerful. I downloaded an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.

Baby Bird is born with an under developed wing so he can't fly like his siblings. He tries and tries but it just won't happen. Then he meets a new friend - the Coot who teaches him that his wing won't stop him achieving his dreams and there is more than one way to fly. Lovely images and a great story - one I would get for my daughter to read over and over and keep

It's a story we've seen many times: an character seems like they aren't capable of doing something. In this case, we have a baby bird with a deformed wing. Generally these stories take the perspective that you can achieve anything if you try hard enough. Or, occasionally, that you might have to take a different approach but that you CAN do it. Gibb's story looks at the issue from a different perspective. No matter what Baby Bird tries, he simply cannot fly. His body is not capable of that task. Instead, he has to change his idea of what it means to be a bird. He has to change his entire world view. Baby's friend never tells him not to try. He helps and encourages Baby. And then he shows him another way to be a bird, how to work with his limitations instead of in spite of them. And that is a valuable message for a young audience.

I love the idea of this book - the friendship, the theme of failing/failure and the way it was dealt with in a different way rather than the usual do not give up. I think it is an important lesson for the little ones too.

However... there is a lot of space for improvement in the way this story was told...

Received as an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Baby Bird and his friend Cooter work together as Baby Bird learns to accept his injury and overcome it. Born with a malformed wing, Baby Bird cannot fly like the other birds no matter how much he tries and tries. While trying to learn to fly, he meets and befriends Cooter, another bird who isn't that great at flying either. With Cooter's help, Baby Bird eventually learns to accept his inability to fly. This is a wonderful little picture book that I think would be a great tool to explain physical disability to able bodied children while helping disabled children learn to accept who they are and what they can do instead of allowing them to focus on what they cannot do.

A very sweet story about accepting yourself as you are. Baby Bird was born with a disability, a shrunken wing that doesn't allow him to fly. He feels bad about himself, and tries hard to learn to fly, but is unable to do so. Then he meets Cooter (really wish the name was something less, ummm.... questionable), a goose who helps Baby Bird learn there are other things he can do, and other ways to fly. The message is lovely, and the illustrations are gorgeous. My only quibble is the story ends very abruptly- we do get the feel good, but it so brief! Still, it leaves a warm fuzzy in your heart, and the art is just beautiful.

The Story:
Baby Bird has a twisted and shrunken wing that makes Baby different from the other hatchlings. Baby watches as the others all fly away from the nest; but when Baby tries, Baby falls. Baby tries again and again. Baby meets a coot who tries to help, but Baby Bird just can’t fly. With the help of Coot, will Baby Bird learn that there is more than one way to fly?

Favourite Spread:
Zosienka illustrations are brilliant, seamlessly complimenting Andrew’s fabulous story. Zosienka has captured Baby Bird’s struggle to fly to perfection, making you feel like you are there was Baby and willing Baby on. By far my favourite spread was when Coot scoots – creating a scene we’ve all seen when a coot runs across the water.

The Verdict:
This book is an absolute triumph, celebrating “ability not disability”. It surprised me with its elegance and simplicity and has a timeless quality which I hope sees this book become a classic. A story that belongs in every home, school and library across the world.

Picture Book Perfect Rating:
Five out of five stars.
But five stars doesn’t do this book justice so I have awarded it the Picture Book Perfect Silver Award!

I am very grateful to the publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

** This review will be published on 2 May, links can be updated **

Cute story, great length for a bed time story for ages (with large beautiful pictures equally important to the young ones), would definitely buy!

An utterly heartwarming picture book, about a baby bird who's twisted and shrunken wing leave Baby grounded and unable to fly. Until Baby makes a new friend, and learns that sometimes you have to find unexpected ways to achieve your dreams.

Andrew Gibbs has written a unforgettably powerful tale addressing themes of disability, acceptance, friendship and determination. The beautifully, delicate watercolour illustrations by Zosienka are exceptionally remarkable and complement the story perfectly.

A must read!

Baby Bird is an adorable character. He is the fourth bird in the nest, but he was born with a difference. One of his wings did not develop and when all his siblings fly off, he can't go with them. No matter how hard he tries, he is not able to fly. Even as he falls and falls again, he keeps trying. When he meets a goose, they develop a friendship and "Cooter" tries to help him. Finally, Baby Bird and Cooter accept that he will never fly. Fortunately Cooter knows what to say and do to help Baby Bird realize that there is more than one way to fly.

Of course there are a couple of wonderful messages in this book. Baby Bird learns that sometimes we need a little help from friends as well as our own acceptance that we can overcome difficulties that we have no control over. Baby Bird realizes that he is wonderful even if he can't fly. The wonderful message about friendship, helping and encouraging one another as well as acceptance is an important one. A great addition to a home, school or public library.

Baby Bird is determined to fly like all the other birds. However, he was born with a deformed wing and he just can't seem to get the hang of flying like his brothers and sisters can. Then he meets a coot named Cooter, who befriends him and tries to help him; together they learn to embrace his differences and have fun together anyways.
I really like the theme of this story, about how friends can take care of and help each other, and it also doesn't oversimplify Baby Bird's disability. His wings don't allow for him to fly, and no amount of practice can change that (although he does try really hard despite all his failed attempts!) but this doesn't make his friend want to play with him any less.
I don't have a lot of experience working with children with physical disabilities but I would imagine that this book would have a positive impact on them and their peers. Cooter never feels sorry for Baby Bird, nor does he ignore the fact that Baby Bird has a disability. It isn't presented as something that needs to be fixed, and instead the two characters find a way for Baby Bird to feel like he's flying even if it's on the back of his friend (who also doesn't really fly, but speeds along on the water).
My only complaint about this book is the friend's name, Cooter. In the U.S., the word is a sort of crass euphamism for female genitalia, so while this book may do well abroad, I might recommend a name change for the copies that are sold in this country.

Baby bird is different from it's brothers. It has one wing that is so small, that makes it hard to fly.
Baby bird tries, harder and harder to fly but it's unsuccessful. A friend helps him but still baby bird never flies. Than it's friend gives him a fun ride.
This book is unique in the sense that it has an unique message - You should have fun while trying hard to overcome your drawbacks.
I think that's the most important thing, we try hard to achieve success but we should also have fun with friends. Sometimes, we need to forget our flaws and just have fun.

I was drawn to this book because of the gorgeous yet simple illustrations, and the natural colour palette.

Baby Bird isn't like the other birds. One of Baby's wings is small and twisted. When it's time to fly out of the nest for the first time, Baby falls and gets left behind. Baby must find some way to get around and find his place in this huge new world.

It's a beautiful an simple story of perseverance, acceptance, and being different. Teachers and librarians will find lots of opportunity for educational tie ins. It's also a fun read-a-loud, with lots of emotion and drama.

One interesting thing I noticed is that Baby is never given a gender. Children of any gender will see themselves in Baby Bird.

A touching story with an important lesson to teach. A baby bird has one weak wing compared to other birds. However, the baby bird doesn't let their weak wing get in the way. The baby bird is determined to fly and practices very hard. The baby bird makes a new friend who helps her to understand and appreciate her weak wing as well as showing her that friends can help you get through tough things in life. Beautiful illustrations! I love this book so much, all children should read this!

A touching story about learning to accept yourself as you are and the power of true friendship, "Baby Bird" will charm young children with its calming watercolour illustrations and likeable protagonists.. Full of giggles and tender moments, I was really quite taken with just how wholesome this picture book was, modeling being a good listener, persevering and showing love for our friends in a down-to-earth and very real manner. The muted colour palette and beautifully formatted pages were gorgeous to look through, the story flowed wonderfully, and the writing was polished and impactful. What more could you possibly ask for in a children's picture book? A very easy 5 stars.

Baby Bird is a story about a bird who can’t fly because his wing is different. Despite his physical impairment, he still tries and tries. He meets a friend on the way who helps and encourages him and shows him that its okay to be a bit different and not as good as the others.

This is a great book about perseverance, friendship and encouragement. It shows kids that it’s ok to be different (especially physically) and that though there may be some things they can’t do the same, there are other things that they can.

I liked Cooter, he was a bit quirky and didn’t mind that baby Bird was a bit different. He just wanted a friend to have fun with, and they did!

I appreciated the concept, but I felt the execution was a bit lacking. Where was the mother and why was baby bird opposite colours, making him even more different than the others?