Title: Dawn Chorus
Author/Illustrator: Suzanne Barton
Age Group: 1-5
Synopsis: When his dream of singing with the other birds doesn’t work, Peep wonders if his wishes will ever come true.
The Low Down:
Right after we got this book, the whole family was hit with a horrible stomach bug. One night as I sat on the bathroom floor rocking a little boy who could keep anything down, he asked me to tell him a story. This was the first thing that popped into my head. He loved it so much. I add singing parts in, looping “la, la, la”s in with the rest of the story and he continues to ask for it, even now after the sickness has passed. I’m glad he likes it and I hope he learns how to deal with things the way the main character, Peep, does.
The message that Suzanne Barton delivers so gently with this book is perfect for little ones. It’s such a sweet reminder that sometimes the dreams that we have aren’t the right fit for us but there’s something better around the corner. The story begins with a little bird hearing the most beautiful song. He flies through the forest looking for the source and discovers a chorus of birds that meet to great the dawn. Peep decides to try out for this group but can’t seem to stay awake through the audition. He’s completely despondent that he won’t be able to be part of this group and be able to bring beauty to the new day, until he meets another bird. This bird informs him that of course he can’t get up early and sing because he’s a nightingale. Peep, overjoyed by this new information, joins the other bird in singing the forest to sleep every night.
I’m twitterpated with Peep. He so appreciates the small beauties of the world around him and wants to contribute. It’s such an admirable goal and he’s so kind and thoughtful as he goes about it. When he’s unable to sing with the Dawn Chorus he doesn’t get angry (which is exactly what I would do), he seeks help from another source. He’s so perfectly depicted as this plump, optimistic bird. The color combinations that Barton uses are fabulous and are so complimentary that each page seems to come to life. Her use of mixed media are like a delicate paper cuttings that embroider each page. We followed the lines of song throughout the pages, trailing in hopes to catch bits of their tune.
Bug is still a little young to be dealing with disappointment. Our biggest moment of distress ever has been when he wasn’t allowed to walk up the stairs by himself, not exactly a life-changer. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to brace him for it when it eventually comes. Wow, that sounds pessimistic but in reality and to take a quote from the Rolling Stones: “You can’t always get what you want.” And I wouldn’t want him to. Dealing with disappoint allows us to flex our creative abilities in finding a different solution to our problems. It prevents us from becoming spoiled and petty. It allows for personal growth and strength. So I will continue to indulge my pessimism and prep him for an unknown time in the future where things won’t go him way and hope that he rises to the challenge.
Story Tips:
- We sang as we transitioned to each page. I found Bug flipping through and singing to himself.
I need more!
Suzanne Barton seems to have an affinity for birds. Her other books include: Robin’s Winter Song and The Sleepy Songbird. She’s illustrated other stories as well. For a full list of
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