Little Bird loves his home. He is happy there, and has all of his favourite things around him. But when the weather changes, his brother tells him it is time to move on, and they must go to their other home for the winter. Little Bird feels sad, and thinks of all the things he will miss. But he has a good idea – he will take his favourite things with him when he leaves. As the flock flies south, Little Bird drags his nest behind him, containing his most treasured possessions. They are heavy, and Little Bird struggles to keep up. Throughout the journey, Little Bird loses his treasures as they fall from the dangling nest, but he is too busy flying to be sad. Especially because those treasures fall into the hands of others who are grateful to receive them. Eventually, all the birds, including Little Bird, arrive at their winter home, where it is warm, and the food is plentiful. Little Bird has lost his old things, but he soon realises that there are lots of new things to love, and before long, he feels settled.
Categories: Moving House
Little Home Bird
Encourages a child to appreciate that moving home, even if only temporarily, can be a pleasant experience, and subtly suggests some coping strategies for being happy wherever home may be at any one time.
Author: Jo Empson
Illustrator: Jo Empson
Publisher: Child's Play (International) Ltd
Things we liked:
Jo Empson explains Little Bird’s feelings with honesty, and acknowledges that he is sad. But this is a delightfully up-beat book about all the positive things that can arise from having more than one place to call home. The book is complemented by emotive art work which partners the text perfectly.
Worth noting:
This is a lovely story about the challenges faced by Little Bird when he must move away from his much-loved home. It would be helpful to children who are moving house. Because Little Bird will have to move again when the winter is over, it could also be useful to children who have more than one home, and who share their time between them.
Review by: Rebecca Seymour