Member Reviews

An especially adorable children's picture book about following your dreams even when others say you can't do it.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

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This is such a heartwarming story! The cover is so colorful and the illustrations are beautifully done. This charming book tells the story of young sparrow believing in herself when it comes to the dream of becoming a music conductor. Super cute read!

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With adorable illustrations and a great story about not giving up your children dreams, Songbird is an inspiring read, especially for pre-school and primary school children. The story of Sparrow who defies her assigned role - by both school and family - and dreams of being a conductor is a recommended read for both children and their parents. Parents, because maybe they just need to trust their children more and encourage to fulfill their potential, no matter what traditional plans for their careers have in mind. Despite the life-inspiring layer, Songbird is also an useful introduction to the world of classical music, both in terms of definition as for the recommendation of the repertoire that can be listen together with the children - Swan Lake, for instance, suits an early age very well.

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A lovely story of a bird going after a dream to be a conductor even after everyone has told her she can't. A great story for children about pursuing your dreams. Lovely illustrations also!

Thank you NetGalley!

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I absolutely loved Songbird by Jenn Larson! It is a beautifully illustrated and written story about a bird named, Sydney, who dreams about being a conductor for a symphony. All of Sydney’s friends and family thought it was funny that a bird would want to be a conductor. Despite the lack of support, Sydney did not give up and continued to follow her dreams no matter what. This is a lovely story about following one’s dream and I believe it would be a perfect book for anyone to read in any setting. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book! (This review is also on Goodreads.)

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The Songbird by Jenn Larson follows the sparrow family that lives in a tree in Central Park in New York City. Vivid colors and illustrations, and the sweetest story about Sydney Sparrow who has dreams of becoming a conductor in a symphony. How marvelous is the message to our children to dream of having a career in the symphony! This was a beautiful story that I’d recommend to any young family.

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Songbird is a delightful read that will leave readers full of hope and excitement!

Sydney Sparrow has a dream, different from any other sparrow. Her family and her teacher discourage her from trying to become a music conductor… because sparrows are meant to build nest, gather seeds, and guard eggs. But Sydney refuses to give up, and through hard work and determination, she’s able to realize her dream.

All too often, children (and adults) are told their dreams are impractical. I love the fact this story encourages readers to chase their dreams, no matter what others might think. Anything is possible with hard work and determination.

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A really cute book about a bird and a found love of conducting. Very lovely story and illustrations. Easy read for kids to follow.

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A story about a dreamer who wants to accomplish the impossible. I thought the illustrations were charming and the story sweet and poignant. A great message about going for what you want even when people don't see your vision.

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The story of Sydney Sparrow who watched a conductor performing a song with his orchestra, and got mesmerized. Then she pursue her dream of directing a big ensemble, even though everyone's opposed to the idea.

The book teaches us to let kids dream and make effort to pursue them. A very good one with beautiful illustrations.

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Songbird is about a little bird who wants to be a conductor. Despite the naysaying of her family and teachers she goes on to do just that. This is a sweet story with wonderful illustrations. I did feel the end was a little forced because the bird had never interacted with people anywhere else in the book. However, I applaud the choice to encourage children's dreams.

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I will admit I picked up this book purely for the illustrations. The cover was so vibrant and beautiful, I couldn't resist. The book itself was just as gorgeous. Each page brought new and equally stunning art.

Sydney Sparrow lives with her family in NYC's Central Park. One day the New York Philharmonic sets up for a concert. Sydney is fascinated by the beautiful music, and decides she wants to become a conductor. From her parents, her school teacher, from all over, her dream was shot down: "Whoever heard of a bird doing such a thing?"

She decides not to speak again of her dream, but she steals away every day to the Lincoln Center to hear the symphony and watch the conductor like a hawk. She cannot keep away!

One fateful performance, the conductor falls ill. After all her careful study, Sydney is able to (literally) swoop in and save the day. Once her family saw what a gift she had, they believed fully in her and urged her to follow her dream.

For any child struggling with confidence to explore their interests, this book will help him or her understand that chasing a dream is worth the effort.

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I loved this book so much! This sweet story about a little sparrow teaches little ones to be dreamers and to have confidence in their dreams, their abilities, and most of all, themselves. You need to work hard and practice, but if you can dream it you can do it!

The gorgeous illustrations by Polona Lovšin perfectly convey the personalities of each of the little birds and add to the magic of this story.

I’m so grateful to NetGalley, National Center for Youth Issues, and the Independent Book Publishers Association for giving me the opportunity to read and review Songbird.

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Songbird is a gorgeously illustrated book about a sweet, little sparrow who falls in love with the art of conducting. Sydney Sparrow shares her dream of becoming a conductor with her family, and they discourage her from pursuing that idea. They encourage her to become a seed gatherer or nest builder like the others before her. Sydney doesn't mention her dream at home again but does share it at school, where again, she is told to be more practical. Luckily, Sydney doesn't give up on her dream, and she continues to study the Philharmonic conductor. Little Sydney Sparrow's story inspires children to dream big, dream different, and be persistent.

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I am in love with this book! As a singer who once dreamed of performing in such grand places as Broadway, I understand the crushing impact that can come when people do not believe in what you are capable of. While it is important to build in realistic expectations, at the same time, I appreciate the way that Sydney Sparrow was allowed to follow her dreams, work hard, and then allowed a chance to let her talents shine. Whether a child is able to follow their dreams to completion or simply able to learn valuable skills through working hard for what they desire, I think encouraging children to dream, and to reach for that dream, is an important job of parents and other caregivers. I really appreciate the way that the author included a guide for educators and parents to help children as they reach for their dreams. I also love the pictures in the book, and giggled at Mrs. Sparrow wearing rollers in her hair! I cannot recommend this book enough.

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The colors in Jenn Larson’s Songbird are gorgeous. Polona Lovsin has done a fabulous job with the illustrations.

Sydney Sparrow, along with her family in their nest in Central Park, are treated to a performance by the Philharmonic Orchestra. Sydney falls in love with the music and dreams of becoming a conductor. She watches the orchestra practice, learning the music and conducting along. When the conductor’s sheet music blows away during a concert, she swoops in to save the day. This book is about following your dreams.

While the story is cute, I really struggled with how the sparrows were humanized in some ways while not in others. Sydney is told her only options when she grows up are to do things like gather food, build nests, or hatch eggs. Her teacher tells her that she will be a good egg layer like her mother. While on one hand the birds live in a nest and prepare their children to do bird-like activities as adults, on the other, they send the kids to school in a classroom setting. For me and my young listeners, this took away from the story.

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Adorable illustrations that show children they can do and be anything in this bright, big, beautiful world. You just have to believe in it yourself. Don't listen to the naysayers and be stubborn. Stubbornness is not always a bad thing. I like the message and the illustrations are of small and puffy birds... what's not to love?

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This story was such a heart warmer. I can't put my finger on quite what, but something about this book just filled my chest with the warm fuzzies and I positively loved it.

The story is a bit overdone, a typical cliche story of how you should always believe in your dreams and have the courage to go get them even when nobody else thinks you can do it.

The illustrations of this book were os beautiful, I love the way the artist captured movement in a very charismatic way. The image where the bird is conducting the band at the end and is poised in a graceful conductor position was a real standout for me.

Overall, the story and lesson may be a bit cliche, but this book still warmed my heart like no other has in a long time, and for that I loved it.

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What a beautiful book! Both illustration AND story wise.
The illustrations are so vibrant, yet soft, absolutely obsessed with them.
And the story was incredible too.
I loved that this book used a lot of the metalanguage involved with music, I feel this would make it an excellent teaching resource.

Overall, such a wonderful and heart-warming story. Though I do wish the caregivers and teachers were a bit more supportive.

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A beautiful and well written story with illustrations to take your breath away after each page. Also the moral of the story is very sweet and I believe this book be used in classrooms for years to come.

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