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I found this gorgeous picture book incredibly endearing. (It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I teared up at the end of it, so touched was I by the messaging and so deeply did it resonate with me).

From the very first notes, drifting across the park to her little feathered ears, Little Sydney Sparrow has fallen in love, wildly, with orchestral music and is now a bird with a dream - a huge dream - something no other songbird has ever dreamed and could ever hope to accomplish.

Sydney wants to be the heart of that music - to feel it ebb and flow in her rhythm and at her direction - she wants to become a music conductor.

With the wide-eyed innocence of the very young, where everything is still an un-tapped possibility, Sydney shares her dream with her family - eagerly, excitedly - and its no surprise to the reader that her parents are curtly dismissive.

Disappointed, but still undaunted, Sydney tries to engage others with her dream, including her teacher at school, and the message comes back loud and clear - her dream is outlandish and no-one in her circle is willing to support her.

I won’t tell you everything about how the story ends - you just have to read it - but it’s enough to say that this book totally captured my heart.

This tiny bird with a great big audacious dream, and the determination to just go for it, is truly delightful. And what a wonderful role model for any child, particularly those who have not yet felt the inevitable push to rein in their own starry dreams and settle, like everyone else, for what the world considers to be “acceptable” or “normal”.

And the artwork! The absolutely gorgeous artwork featured on every page of this book - starting with the brilliant and smudgy-soft bird nestled in red and gold leaves on the cover - every frame on every page is literally spectacular.

This is a book I will need to own - with no young children currently in my life - I do believe my inner child wants (and deserves!) this one all for itself.

A great big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, the author (and the artist), for an advance review copy of this sublime children’s book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts presented are my bow.

This is a beautiful book about Sydney Sparrow who lives in Central Park. She lives there with her family and the other little birds. Most birds are happy to build nest and gather seeds. But Sydney had a dream. She saw the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and she dreamed of being a conductor and leading all those instruments. But when she shared her dream the other birds tried to discourage her because birds don't do that. She was determined and through hard work she has the chance to make her dreams come true. This is a good message for children to learn don't let anyone discourage you from your dreams but work hard and find a way to make them come true.
At the end of the story there are tips for both teacher and parents.

The illustrations alone are enough to give "Songbird" five stars. They're whimsical and extremely detailed. Then there's the story and its lessons. For children, there is the lesson of being true to yourself. For parents, there is the lesson of accepting and supporting your children. I highly recommend this one for every reader.

I received a free electronic copy of this children's book from Netgalley, author Jenn Larson, illustrator Polona Lovšin and the publishers at the National Center for Youth Issues. I have read this work of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I can highly recommend Songbird to friends and family. The story is encouraging independence and setting your own goals. The illustrations are colorful and exquisitely done. This is a story you will want to read to your youngsters often.

Beautiful illustrations for a sweet book about chasing big dreams. This would make a great addition to any bookshelf, perfect choice for any child!

Sweet story about following your dreams no matter what others think or say. Stunning illustrations. A bit long for young preschoolers, but I'd highly recommend it for younger elementary school kids.

First of all... the artwork is phenomenal. The colors, the details, truly a feast for the eyes!
The storyline is equally great. as we follow a young bird, while she's following her dreams, despite everyone telling her they are impossible. You go Sydney, show them what you got and don't let anyone stop you!
Great book for your early elementary kiddos, and as a matter of fact, I am about to buy a copy for our music teacher right now...

Ooh, my heart is a pile of mush right now! This book is so adorable!

Sydney the Sparrow wants to be a music conductor. But her family, friends, and teachers try to redirect her dreams towards more conventional career paths such as nest building and seed gathering. Sydney gets disheartened and wonders if her dream is indeed too farfetched. But with some determination and planning, Sydney finds herself where no one else expected.

Sydney stole my heart. I loved her bravery in listening to what her heart desired rather than allowing others to change her thinking. She was amazing. And as a music lover (and a part-time conductor myself), I relished the thought of a little sparrow conducting Bach and Beethoven. What a wondrous sight that would be! The message from the story comes out very clearly: believe in your dreams. Talent will definitely take you places but hard work and determination are a must too.

With this beautiful story, the book would have easily received 5 stars from me. But isn’t it marvellous when the illustrations match and even surpass the story? I loved, loved, loved the sketches. They are so impressive and detailed, right down to the rich hues of nature and the facial expressions of the birds. The vividity of the illustrations makes the book sparkle brighter. I have no doubt they would be even more marvellous in the physical copy.

This would be the perfect addition to every little reader’s personal library.


Thank you, NetGalley and IBPA, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, my! Sidney is the cutest of the cutest. The book is about Sydney, a little sparrow that falls in love with music and wants to become a conductor. Everyone discourages her. Her family and teacher want Sydney to learn nest building and be a good sparrow. But all she wants is to be a music conductor!
The book shows how having a dream is not wrong just because it’s different from what others want. With determination and persistence, one can achieve their dreams. Being passionate about what you want is important.
There are tips at the end for parents and teachers to nurture kids to have ambitions and dreams of their own.
What I love the most about the book are the illustrations and attention to detail in them. Soft strokes, lovely colors, and wonderful expressions of the sparrows, perfect!
Thank you, NetGalley and National Center for Youth Issues, for the ARC.

This sweet picture book follows a songbird who wants to be a conductor! I loved the art in this, and Sydney's journey flowed so well. I would have liked to see her family apologize for not encouraging her dreams, but I did love the tips included in the back for parents and teachers to encourage their real-life kids. The story was compelling, and I would recommend this for both parents and teachers!

This book has such a great message. It encourages children to follow their dreams, even other people try to discourage them. The pictures in this book are beautiful.

What a fantastic story to read to young children about having the determination to strive for what you’re passionate about. The illustrations are beautiful. The only change I would’ve liked to see is Sydney going back to school at the end, and having the confidence to talk about her dream of conducting even though her teacher and classmates were dismissive at first. I appreciate the tips for educators and parents listed at the end of the book.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

“Songbird” by Jenn Larson is a wonderfully illustrated children’s book focusing on a little sparrow that has big dreams. This is one of my favourite children’s books that I have read this year. The beautiful art paired with such an inspirational storyline touched my soul, especially since I have a passion for music and conducting. The central message of the story is clear; if you can dream it, you can achieve it. I highly recommend this book for all children to enjoy with the help of a parent or older reader.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book on NetGalley and have provided an honest review.*

Mrs. Sparrow taught her three young sparrows the lessons that her sparrows needed to live and grow. But one day Sydney asked her parents what was happening when musicians moved into Central Park to perform. She had never heard anything as beautiful and magical. Sydney decides she wants to become a conductor. This treasure of a book is about daring to dream, accepting yourself, and making your dreams come true with hard work. What a wonderful book full of gorgeous illustrations! Every elementary school should make this stunning book with its important message part of its curriculum!

I feel like I just watched a short Pixar animation.

Those hair curlers on Mama Sparrow! Save me from all the art brilliance!

This is such a heartwarming, wholesome storybook. It is almost like a short, well-done graphic novel. The artstyle is exceptional. This book is almost a classic.

The story is told from the view of a mother sparrow witnessing a gathering at Central Park with people enjoying a day of picnic and an orchestra!

Quite playful and charming, this little story tells kids about dreams but to be practical about it.

Well, it's the dream that matters more in the end.

Thank you, authors and publisher, for the advance reading copy.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. A lovely sparrow hears his first concert in Central Park and from there he decides he wants to be a conductor, but can sparrows really be something other than a sparrow?

I think dreams are the most important engine that people have. Thanks to them, we remain not only young, but also full of hope in our souls.
Like many people they admire or who are important in their lives, I think it is important to explain to the little ones that success requires a lot of work and effort. And if you have an important enough dream and you fight for it, the results will appear at some point. Where there is passion, there is courage, and this is what the story of the little Sydney Sparrow wants to teach children. Moral support is more important than you imagine, so do not hesitate to involve everyone in supporting your little ones. Through small gestures, encouragement at the right time, Sydney’s parents will convey to her that she is not alone in her mission and that they are all with her.

True passions feed on themselves, they must not be forced.

What a story. This was so moving and just amazing.

It's a brilliant book that can help parents and children to follow their dreams and that anything can be possible if you want it to be.

Myself and my children really enjoyed this book.

I loved that this book was set in New York's iconic Central Park as well as Lincoln center and that the lead character was a young sparrow. Although the author did give the Sparrow gender, the idea that she was a Sparrow gives more freedom for the reader to imagine themselves in the role.

The book tells the story of perseverance in spite of obstacles of size, age, or family expectations. It illustrates how even the most well meaning words can actually be quite negative and gives families talking points to add positive thinking and motivation into their speech. Words really do matter. I'm looking forward to sharing this book with my daughter's 1st grade teacher.

Songbird is a beautiful story about finding your passion and achieving your goals. After listening to a musical performance in the park, Sydney decides she wants to become a conductor. While her family doesn't believe she can do it, Sydney becomes determined to achieve her dream. The ending will melt your heart. The illustrations are so beautiful and compliment the story. Readers will love the message behind this book.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.