A book I can imagine was pretty hard to get done just right – and therefore is still very easy to say 'it was done wrong' about it. It raises an awkward issue of the inconstant, unreliable, undefinable parent – and Baby Bird is suffering because of one. He wants to be the best nest builder, fastest worm catcher and highest flyer, like all birds – but his father is too absent, or too full of complaint, or just too ornery to teach him. It's lucky then that everyone as a group is there to back both him and the mother he worries too much over due to the literally flighty father.

And that is one of the issues here, of course – this has to have some gender imbalance, and the fact it's the father who is not putting the shift in, and letting the kid down, will be bleedin' obvious for many, and a cussed annoyance for the rest. The author was on a hiding to nothing whatever gender she made the errant one. I could also say she didn't go heavy enough on the 'found family' aspect of the avian neighbourhood, and didn't make it plain enough to the very young this is pitched at what the point of it all is.

But I think this still serves a purpose, if you are in a professional situation where such a book and such an example is what you need to dish out to families. (That said, if you're that professional why are you wasting time reading the thoughts of a layman like me?) I think this is pretty enough for young readers, is engaging enough as a story, and still perhaps not as overt as it could have been. But in the right professional sphere I could still see it as very useful, and so my four stars remain to help in some minute way boost the book's reach. For therapists and specialists worried about showing an anti-male bias, however, I would urge them to read the piece through junior eyes before definitely prescribing it.

This picture book touches on a subject that is usually never discussed with young children. While I believe the illustrations and the idea behind the story were very well done, I wish that the main character's mom had acted different. However, maybe that is a good thing, maybe it shows how some families truly are. My heart broke for the little bird.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For more reviews and discussions, listen to my podcast The Honest Book Reviewers with Nate and Emma.

https://open.spotify.com/show/3H3ugH4xlzvjMXuUo1Lyvh?si=ewdzfkUnSVKyDmAvHMHIPQ

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Flock We Found. This book is about a pretty heavy topic and I sobbed all the way through it. This book will not be for every child (thankfully) but for the ones who need it, there's some great lessons to be learned. Every child deserves to feel represented through stories, and I think this story is a sad, but necessary one.

Lighthearted and colorful illustrations mixed with heavy emotional text, just didn't work for me. I know that animals are used to explain human issues, but the bird characters seemed flat. I'm sorry, but I didn't like this book.

This is a very worthwhile look at the resilience of children with the help of a supportive network. Children need stable influences in their lives, and especially in those who raise them. As the book alludes, sometimes our caregiver is struggling with addiction, mental illness, or is absent from their lives which can feel very destabilizing. With the help of a supportive parent who can offer a safety net of neighbors, teachers, and family members, there is hope for a stable life. It may not look like the original dream, but with love and care, children can flourish.

I highly recommend this book for schools, libraries, therapists and pediatricians offices.

This is a story of found family and encouragement for any kid with a parent who may not be able to be fully present in their lives. Includes a reader’s note by Ellen Braaten, PhD, with more information on the effect on children living in unpredictable homes and ways to help them cope.
Wonderful book about worry.

Little Bird is clearly representing all the children affected by the behaviors of one live-in parent who is using some sort of chemical on a regular basis. Step by step Little Bird finds that he is not alone in facing the problem, but that others in his sphere are united in their compassion for him and supportive if his needs.
The illustrations by the author are imaginative and add much to the story with friendly birds and bright colors.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital Galley on Thorium PDF from Magination Press — American Psychological Association via NetGalley. Pub Date Sep 09, 2025 @apa_org
#TheFlockWeFound by @maryreavesuhles@maginationpress @americanpsychologicalassoc @childrensbookcouncil @goodreads #homelife#picturebookart #kidlit #picturebook #illustration #childrensbooks #imagination #groupsupport #youarenotalone #NeedToBeLoved #littlefreelibrary

There are so many children living in uncertain situation because of an inconsistent family member. These children need this book. It's a very effective story that can be read with a child to start important, difficult discussions. It also works well as an independent reading picture book. I highly recommend.

I really did not enjoy this book, and I would not read it to a typical child had I read it prior to this. This is about an absent father and a bird who thrives despite the father's absence.