9780451474964
$17.99
Shy loves birds. He'd love to watch them fly and hear them sing, but he's only ever read about them in books. . .until a real bird comes along. He's dying to meet her, but there's just one problem: Shy is, well, shy--so shy, in fact, that he's afraid to leave the gutter of the book. Can Shy overcome his fears and venture out onto the page?
The more I read this book, the more enchanting I found it. The kids were intrigued by the fact that we aren't even sure what kind of animal Shy is until almost the end of the story. They had fun guessing (and several got it right), and while none of my kids can be described as particularly shy, they felt a great deal of sympathy and tenderness towards him. A great book both for shy kids - such an amazing world out there to discover, and some wonderful friends to make! - and for the rowdy ones like mine.
The illustrations are soft and magical, lending themselves perfectly to the story. In some places, an entire two-page spread is simply footprints through a desert, while the very next shows a majestic mountain range stretching on forever. The muted colors make the reader feel as if they are ensconced in a warm cocoon. A lovely book for any age. Gift with a sweet little stuffed giraffe and bird, or books about birds or exotic places!
***This book has been nominated for the Cybils Awards, and I am a first-round panelist in this category. There are many other panelists, and many MANY other great nominees, so a good or bad review here does not necessarily predict placement on the shortlist.
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