Title: Bluebird
Author/Illustrator: Bob Staake
Age Group: 2-8
Synopsis: A bluebird befriends a lonely boy and they share a magical day together but when a tragic accident takes the bluebird’s life the boy learns that true friends never die.
The Low Down:
There are some stories that we read and Bug loves because they’re silly and fun. Some are sweet and warm the cockles of our soul. Some fall into a different category entirely. Bluebird is one of those. It’s heart warming and tragic, and the type of story that results in questions with answers that are never simple. The art work is simple and beautiful in a way that the story isn’t, a perfect juxtaposition.
The beginning of the story follows the Bluebird as he observes a sad looking boy who is often left out, bullied, teased, and alone. The Bluebird befriends him even though it seems that at first the boy doesn’t want a friend. Just as their friendship is not only blossoming but also helping the boy become more friendly and trusting of others, a group of bullies attack the boy. In an effort to save him, the bird is killed. The boy is heartbroken but soon he’s surrounded by birds of every color. They fly him and his friend into to sky, where the Bluebird awakens and flies even higher into the clouds, disappearing from sight. At least that’s how I interpret the story, for there is no text.
The comic book style of the illustrations leaves little guess work in how the story is progressing. It’s easy to follow in the clean crisp illustrations that are mostly devoid of color, save blues that are sprinkled among the grays, whites, and blacks. The Bluebird is easy to find is each panel as one of the only pops of color within the dreary world and the other birds at the end (dressed in every color of the rainbow) are like a breath of fresh life. Staake does a great job of allowing the story to speak to the reader through each picture and let the simple depictions to make their own bold statements.
As I read this to Bug I was in tears at the end (my husband may tell you this is not a rare occurrence) because of how beautifully moving the pages are. This was not a book that I would pick up at any random time to read to Bug. I can’t always handle this topic but it’s good for Bug to be familiar with it because death and loss are a part of life and no life is untouched by it. I like to think that, like in Bluebird, our remembrance of those we’ve lost gives them new life
Story Tips:
- Take this opportunity to let your little one read to you. There’s no words! You can help by pointing out what’s going on in the pictures and helping them make connections between panels.
I need more!
Bob Staake has written more the 60 books and I’m shocked that I haven’t read one of his books before. But if his artwork looks familiar it’s because he’s worked for loads of people from The New Yorker to Disney to Hershey’s. I’m really looking forward to checking out his book The Book of Gold. For more info check out his website: http://www.bobstaake.com
Add to my library:
UK Amazon:Bluebird
US Amazon:Bluebird
This is a beautiful way to describe this story. I too, enjoyed ‘reading the pictures ‘ and seeing the changes that take place in the boy’s face and stance and willingness to connect.